|| *Comments on the 2014 Bojangles' Southern 500:* View the most recent comment <#452> | Post a comment <#post> 1. Daniel posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:29 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) In using fastest 43: #35 David Reutimann Out using fastest 43: #66 Joe Nemechek 2. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola sets the track record, but Harvick wins the pole. And yet another DNQ for Front Row's R&D team. 3. murb posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:34 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Looking for a great run out of Aric and the 43 this weekend. Great qualifying run. 4. Schroeder51 posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick on the pole...but he's had such bad luck all year long outside of that win at Phoenix. Wonder what misfortune will plague him this week? I'm just kidding of course. But it wouldn't be a shocker to me to see something go wrong for him again this week... Can't wait to get there tomorrow! Darlington is always a blast to go too...I consider myself damned lucky to call it my home NASCAR track. I REALLY hope NASCAR doesn't drop this track like I fear they might in the near future...I've honestly had nightmares in which they took Darlington off the schedule to give Kentucky a second race date! 5. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #4 Darlington is owned by ISC. Kentucky is owned by SMI. If Darlington were to leave the schedule, I think either Chicagoland or Homestead will get a second race. 6. numbah10hatah posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:49 pm Rate this comment: (2) (8) Joe Nemechek. Ugh.......rolling chicane is what he is. 7. The Long Shot posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Logano has been the class of qualifying this year. Only one start outside of the top 10 (35th at Daytona). And how about Richard Petty Motorsports qualifying both cars on the second row? 8. The Long Shot posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:53 pm Rate this comment: (4) (3) "Joe Nemechek. Ugh.......rolling chicane is what he is." Nemechek is still legitimately talented, even at 50 years of age. Blame it on the horrible equipment he has. 9. Eric posted: 04.11.2014 - 7:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Chicago gets a 2nd date, I think one of the other tracks in the Midwest would need a track date to do away because I think the Midwest has one too many race dates already. 10. We need more Onion posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Can this finally be Aric's week? Hopefully. And what an effort by Blaney, undoubtedly one of the 3 worst cars in the field, the only one having to qualify on time... And he does. Well done. 11. murb posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Nemechek isn't even close to being the worst "moving chicane" in Cup. 12. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm surprised Dos Jotas and Kenseth weren't able to make it through Q1 without having any major problems with their cars. 13. joey2448 posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Once again, we see a track record that isn't listed as the official pole speed. Almirola notched a 26.705 second lap in round two of qualifying -- the fastest ever at this track -- which equates to 184.15 mph! As Rusty Wallace would say, they are flat flyin' round this place! The Petty and Penske Fords were the class of the field in qualifying. Good to see the Petty cars doing well. And Jamie McMurray continued his year of being quietly fast. Kyle Larson went out three separate times in the second round of qualifying, which I thought was a mistake since he was using up the good on those tires, but still put up a faster time than fellow rookie Austin Dillon! 14. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A stupid question, who was the last rookie to win at Darlington in the Cup series? Not counting the first race. And what circumstances wre set up to let him win. Was it atrophy of tires, engines, cars via crashes? Or did the guy actually have to contend with the best to win? 15. TS1420 posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Harvick on the pole...but he's had such bad luck all year long outside of that win at Phoenix. Wonder what misfortune will plague him this week? I'm just kidding of course. But it wouldn't be a shocker to me to see something go wrong for him again this week..." Prediction: Harvick will get wrecked by the pace car while leading. "Can't wait to get there tomorrow! Darlington is always a blast to go too...I consider myself damned lucky to call it my home NASCAR track. I REALLY hope NASCAR doesn't drop this track like I fear they might in the near future...I've honestly had nightmares in which they took Darlington off the schedule to give Kentucky a second race date!" If Darlington ever loses its last race, especially to 2nd race at a track that doesn't even deserve 1 race (Chicago, Vegas, Kentucky), we need to band together with pitchforks & torches and storm Brainless Brian's Mansion. 16. Schroeder51 posted: 04.11.2014 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Last rookie to win at Darlington...I want to say Nelson Stacy back in 1961, but that's probably not right... 17. Kubica Fan Ireland posted: 04.11.2014 - 9:04 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Harvick has consistently had one of the 3 fastest cars each race weekend, apart from Martinsville and Daytona. He has had as much speed in the opening 8 weeks as Johnson does during the chase. Even if he wins tomorrow night, he will still have left a lot of points on the table. That is why what Petty and Yarborough did during their great seasons has to be respected. Even do the fields were substantially lower in terms of depth you only need to look at some of the best in the sport and see how they struggle to put a really strong 10 week stretch together, never mind a 30 week season. That is why Petty's 10 wins in a row and Yarborough's huge numbers during his championship winning years need so much respect. Give Johnson a top5 car every single week and he will struggle to score anymore than 23 top5 finishes. He usually has a top5 car for 24-28 races and scores 15-17 top5 finishes. Kyle Busch had a second place car at worst every race during his nationwide winning year and missed the top5 10 times. Sam Ard missed the top5 on just 4 occasions during his 1984 busch season and had an average finish that was less than half of his nearest competitor. Yarborough missed the top5 on just 5 occasions in 1977. Gordon's magical 1998 season from the 5th race onwards was a similar story. This is why I feel that even some of the ridiculous records of the past in nascar deserve respect. Give Jimmie Johnson the best car for 10 consecutive races and I say he wins 5-7 races, but he would never win 10 straight. That is how the drivers of the past managed to put up those numbers. They had 1 of the 3 best cars on track EVERY SINGLE WEEK. Johnson has never come close to posting a moto gp or wrc set of numbers in Nascar over any longer than an 8 week period. Give Johnson a top 3 car for everyone of the 36 races and I say he will struggle badly to match Gordon's 26 top 5 finishes. I know I have rambled on but I hope you get the point, respect past achievements. 18. Kubica Fan Ireland posted: 04.11.2014 - 9:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick has consistently had one of the 3 fastest cars each race weekend, apart from Martinsville and Daytona. He has had as much speed in the opening 8 weeks as Johnson does during the chase. Even if he wins tomorrow night, he will still have left a lot of points on the table. That is why what Petty and Yarborough did during their great seasons has to be respected. Even do the fields were substantially lower in terms of depth you only need to look at some of the best in the sport and see how they struggle to put a really strong 10 week stretch together, never mind a 30 week season. That is why Petty's 10 wins in a row and Yarborough's huge numbers during his championship winning years need so much respect. Give Johnson a top5 car every single week and he will struggle to score anymore than 23 top5 finishes. He usually has a top5 car for 24-28 races and scores 15-17 top5 finishes. Kyle Busch had a second place car at worst every race during his nationwide winning year and missed the top5 10 times. Sam Ard missed the top5 on just 4 occasions during his 1984 busch season and had an average finish that was less than half of his nearest competitor. Yarborough missed the top5 on just 5 occasions in 1977. Gordon's magical 1998 season from the 5th race onwards was a similar story. This is why I feel that even some of the ridiculous records of the past in nascar deserve respect. Give Jimmie Johnson the best car for 10 consecutive races and I say he wins 5-7 races, but he would never win 10 straight. That is how the drivers of the past managed to put up those numbers. They had 1 of the 3 best cars on track EVERY SINGLE WEEK. Johnson has never come close to posting a moto gp or wrc set of numbers in Nascar over any longer than an 8 week period. Give Johnson a top 3 car for everyone of the 36 races and I say he will struggle badly to match Gordon's 26 top 5 finishes. I know I have rambled on but I hope you get the point, respect past achievements. 19. Debris posted: 04.11.2014 - 9:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl Edwards in 21st! This might sound absurd but I love it when my favorite driver qualifies terribly. Especially at driver tracks like Darlington. 20. 23andJoe posted: 04.11.2014 - 10:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) >Joe Nemechek. Ugh.......rolling chicane is what he is. Evidence to be presented, please 21. Ian posted: 04.11.2014 - 11:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm all for the return of provisionals, but I think they should reinstate certain limits on provisionals (e.g., you get X provisionals, and if you use them up, you are out until you reach a certain race in the season). 22. Spannerhead29 posted: 04.11.2014 - 11:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kevin Harvick's 7th Cup pole (weird that he only has 7) and 36th NASCAR pole. 23. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.11.2014 - 11:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Should be a good race tomorrow night. What am I saying, of course it will be! It's DARLINGTON! 24. cjs3872 posted: 04.11.2014 - 11:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @12, if you're referring to Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth, the last two Southern 500 winners, there might be strategy involved with that because it means they'll likely have a few less laps on their tires when the race begins, especially compared to those up front, since they can start on fresh tires, where as those starting up front have to start the race on the tires they qualify with. However, they'd like to be about 15th and have that edge, rather than 25th, because any time you start back there, you can end up in someone else's mess that you wouldn't be in if you didn't qualify so poorly, especially on a track with such a narrow racing groove. Starting back there, it will be a while before either Johnson or Kenseth surface among the leaders, if they ever do. But looking at the starting grid, especially the front runners, it looks like some of the goofiness of the Masters has also caught on at Darlington (only three Masters wins since 2001 will be represented this weekend and none from 2004-'11), because there's not a Darlington winner until you get to Kyle Busch, who starts eighth, and you have guys who have little chance to win (Almirola, Ambrose, and Menard) starting among the front runners, while you have some of the favorites, such as Johnson, Kenseth, Edwards, and Stewart all qualifying outside of the top 20. Any time you have a situation like that, that's the chance that something could happen with some of those drivers coming from the back trying to get to the front, while some of those drivers may overdo it trying to stay up there in what for them is virgin territory. And on a track with such a narrow racing groove, things could get interesting in the first 50-100 miles while some of that sorts itself out. Also, winning the pole could mean bad news for Kevin Harvick's bid to win the one major event he has, to this point, never won in his career. After all, no pole sitter has won this race since Dale Earnhardt, Sr. did so in 1990, nearly 25 years ago. Right now, if I had to pick a favorite for this race, I like the three top performers in last week's race (Jeff Gordon and the two Penske cars), and most notably, Gordon, the only 6-time winner of this race to possibly add #7 to his collection of big NASCAR wins. 25. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 12:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Based on practice speeds, I think Newman is a darkhorse. 26. Eric posted: 04.12.2014 - 1:05 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs3872, You forget to mention that Kevin Harvick has something against him tomorrow besides the history of being the pole setter. The 4 car has problems finishing races since the Phoenix because of equipment. Kevin has been getting cars, but they have problems to hold together for the whole race. 27. Eric posted: 04.12.2014 - 1:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman isn't a bad darkhorse for Darlington because he does a very good record here despite not winning here. Ryan has a top 10 at Darlington in 66 percent of his starts there. While Ryan never won at Darlington before, he had a great car for the 2003 Southern 500 that was capable of winning the race. Ryan had the car to beat for the 2003 Southern 500 before he accidentally pressed the kill switch during a pit stop. Ryan also has 7 top 5's and 10 top 10's at Darlington in 15 starts. 28. Sarf52 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:23 am Rate this comment: (1) (2) Danica Patrick 33rd....bravo, bravo she out qualified both the BK cars this week! Wow what a talent! 29. Sarf52 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bold prediction: David Gilliland grabs a top 10 this week. Good driver, below average equipment, but the 38 has looked productive lately, despite David Ragan's incompetence, who I feel is FRM's #1. FRM is making a little progress on non-plate track tracks, which is nice to see. Bob Jenkins is a good guy and a solid showing at the Southern 500 would be quite an accomplishment. 30. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:54 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "@12, if you're referring to Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth, the last two Southern 500 winners, there might be strategy involved with that because it means they'll likely have a few less laps on their tires when the race begins, especially compared to those up front, since they can start on fresh tires, where as those starting up front have to start the race on the tires they qualify with." I would agree with that but both of them ran 3 laps in Q1 to try to get to Q2. If they ran only 1 lap and let the chips fall where they may, I would believe the tire preservation theory. I still expect both of them to get to the top 10 by the halfway point barring any damage. 31. Sean posted: 04.12.2014 - 12:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "This is why I feel that even some of the ridiculous records of the past in nascar deserve respect. Give Jimmie Johnson the best car for 10 consecutive races and I say he wins 5-7 races, but he would never win 10 straight. That is how the drivers of the past managed to put up those numbers. They had 1 of the 3 best cars on track EVERY SINGLE WEEK. Johnson has never come close to posting a moto gp or wrc set of numbers in Nascar over any longer than an 8 week period. Give Johnson a top 3 car for everyone of the 36 races and I say he will struggle badly to match Gordon's 26 top 5 finishes. I know I have rambled on but I hope you get the point, respect past achievements." While I agree that I rate Petty and Yarborough higher than Johnson, I find this argument disingenuous and I feel I must play devil's advocate for today's drivers. In Petty and Yarborough's day, there were usually only about 5 cars capable of winning every single week (unless there was a complete fluke), and one or two of those would often/usually find trouble, so pretty much all they needed to do was finish the race and they were ensured of a top five finish. In Johnson's day, there are about 15 cars capable of winning most weeks and finishing in the top five is hardly automatic, especially given NASCAR's charity rules which are intended to shake up the field and create artificial excitement/randomness. No one would be allowed to dominate like that now because NASCAR wouldn't let it happen. I do agree it's extremely impressive that the champions of the past were able to show such outstanding reliability for that era, but bear in mind also that this was an era when a lot of underfunded independent drivers regularly finished in the top five 5 or 10 laps down. That gives the Pettys and Yarboroughs a lot more wiggle room for error and they could really be easy on their equipment when they did not have to worry about the underfunded independent cars beating them really. Even if they did have issues, they could likely make it back even from laps behind because there was so little competition (1979 Daytona 500, anyone?) Having said that, I do still rate those guys higher than anyone today, but I don't think it would be possible for that kind of dominance to be even ALLOWED in today's Sprint Cup... Now if it ends up that Cup sponsorship plummets so only the Hendrick cars have stable race-to-race sponsorship, we could be back in the '70s again...but as much as sponsorship has plummeted in Cup lately, I don't quite see that happening. 32. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 12:13 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Billy Standridge has lost his battle with cancer... RIP, Billy 33. cjs3872 posted: 04.12.2014 - 12:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean, I'm not sure I would use the 1979 Daytona 500 as evidence of the relative lack of competition that allowed drivers to make up laps. Let's not forget that the 1979 Daytona 500 had, at the time, the second-most caution laps in race history at 57 (though 15 of them were at the start to dry up a track made wet by morning rains), and six in-race caution periods. And with the fact that the two most dominant cars that SpeedWeeks both ran into early trouble (though one did come back to finish second), and with the field bunched up all day due to the new surface, veteran drivers like Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison certainly had chances to use their experience and make up laps, which they did. But they needed to use a total of four of those six cautions to make up those laps, and two of the laps Cale made up he got back from Donnie. (Each had gotten a lap back from Benny Parsons when he was leading that race.) In fact, as late as 25 laps to go, any one of seven or eight drivers could have won that race, including Tighe Scott, who drove Walter Ballard's car in that race superbly. But if there hadn't been that many cautions, which was the case in 1978, and would be the case in 1980, '81, and '82, they would never have been able to make up the lost ground. And I agree that Kevin Harvick's cars haven't held up throughout a race, except for his win at Phoenix, Eric. I was simply stating a point specific to the Southern 500, as it's been since 1990 that the man that won the pole has also gone on to win the race. I also find it curious that Jeff Gordon has won the Southern 500 six times, yet has never won the pole position for the Southern 500. And @30, what you say may be true regarding Jimmie and Matt running just three laps in one qualifying session, but they'll still be able to start the race on fresh tires, while those starting up front will have to start the race on the tires they earned their starting positions on. And while's that's not a big advantage (their teams give them a bigger advantage over some of the top qualifiers than the tire situation does), it still does give them a slight edge, and the same is true for others such as Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Tony Stewart, because they will also be able to start the race on fresh tires, instead of the slightly worn ones that the leaders will have to start the race with. It's an advantage, but hardly an overwhelming one. 34. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 1:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean, if anything, your evidence is proof that we are, in fact, in one of the least competitive eras in NASCAR history because we are THIS car dependent where any idiot (e.g. Robby Gordon at Loudon in 2001) can win in a fast enough car. 35. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 2:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "While Ryan never won at Darlington before, he had a great car for the 2003 Southern 500 that was capable of winning the race. Ryan had the car to beat for the 2003 Southern 500 before he accidentally pressed the kill switch during a pit stop. Ryan also has 7 top 5's and 10 top 10's at Darlington in 15 starts." And he was well on his way to winning the 2005 Southern, err "Dodge Charger" 500, when Mark Martin spun out while trying to pass Kasey Kahne with 5 laps to go. Then threw the race away when the 12 team made the boneheaded decision to stay out while the whole except Ken Schrader pitted for tires. 36. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) 23AndJoe: Joe Nemechek being atrociously slow is preventing other, faster (albeit not by much) cars to make it into the field. You should be really mad at him this week, since Reutimann was the one who DNQ. 37. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "23AndJoe: Joe Nemechek being atrociously slow is preventing other, faster (albeit not by much) cars to make it into the field. You should be really mad at him this week, since Reutimann was the one who DNQ." Lol, what? You basically just said that Nemechek is atrociously slow, and then you said that the drivers that he's forcing out of the field are only slightly less atrociously slow. If he isn't really that much slower than anyone else, I don't see the problem here. (Plus, Nemechek is running for his own team, so you would think that one would sympathize more with him.) 38. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 3:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) THE POINT IS THAT THE FIELD SHOULD BE THE FASTEST 43. And you guys know how Kyle Larson wrecked Tanner Berryhill last night? Well, Vision Racing (Berryhill's team) had this to say about it: Unfortunately "easy money" doesn't know how hard Tanner and I work to put our car on the track! Larson ruined a solid top 20 run for a father and son doing its best! Next race I'm pretty sure the 17 will finally put to use the target bullseye on the 42! Victory 17! 39. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.12.2014 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Best of luck to Kyle Petty, who is currently competing in the Toyota Pro Celebrity race in Long Beach. 40. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) RIP Billy Standridge. In my opinion, Joe Nemechek is one of the most underrated drivers of the past 20 years. He's got four career wins (three of them were for low level teams), and he earned every single one of them. If he were in reasonable equipment now, I still think he could get an occasional top 20 finish. If he got a shot in an actual MWR #66 car instead of just the Jay Robinson #66 car, I guarantee he would make you think twice about rolling chicanes. 41. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What I find amusing about the "rolling chicane" comment is that Nemechek was a fantastic qualifier during his prime. There's a reason he's known as "Front Row Joe". I do think Joe retires within the next couple of years, though. His son is quickly coming up through the ranks, and I could easily see Nemechek do what Bill Elliott did and retire to focus on his son's career (though he may still run some Cup races to provide additional funding for his team). Hopefully Joe's work pays off and John Hunter can get a ride with a good team like RCR. 42. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) On an unrelated note, today would have been Curtis Turner's 90th Birthday. 43. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Best of luck to Kyle Petty, who is currently competing in the Toyota Pro Celebrity race in Long Beach." *Spoiler alert* Kyle finished 6th overall; 2nd in pro division (of 3) to Al Jr. Someone named Brett Davern won overall. I don't know if I'm out of touch, but I recognized only 2 of the celebrities' names. 44. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Tonight is the 6th annual "New" Southern 500. 45. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Do you think Larson will struggle since he missed this?" *shows video clips of Larson wrecking* Yes. 46. Drivefor5isalive posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hoping Gordon can get his 6th Southern 500 win tonight and extend his points lead! 47. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where does this rank on worst national anthems? 48. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) To the lady who's singing the National Anthem: Don't quit your day job. 49. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Please don't tell Limbaugh or Beck about these bad national Anthems, they'll say "this is a sign America is dying" 50. epzik8 posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Both Petty cars are starting in row 2, which I like to see. 51. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "To the lady who's singing the National Anthem: Don't quit your day job." what is her day job? 52. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) OK, are we not supposed to put links on here? I put one on about 5-10 minutes ago, and it still hasn't come up yet. 53. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) jabber1990: Whatever it is, she should just stay there. And not anywhere near a microphone. 54. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yikes. Again, why don't these tracks in small towns just have an audition and let some 10-12 year old who has an angelic voice sing the anthem? It usually works out a lot better than a pop/country star without auto-tune or some C-list celebrity. 55. 23andJoe posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #52: Any posts with links have to be approved by the webmaster. 56. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) haha at guys putting the people who sing the national anthem down when none od you could probably do it any better. 57. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick's chosen the outside lane fr the start. 58. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You guys can thank me later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74y88YuSJ8 59. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 367 Laps? That's a lot. Uh oh, Looks like a full moon. Prediction: Carnage 60. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Full Moon. Expect a weird race. 61. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "haha at guys putting the people who sing the national anthem down when none od you could probably do it any better. " I couldn't I know that for a fact 62. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Johnson is that tight, what potentially could be wrong with the 48? 63. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Darlington Stripe Count: 1. Alex Bowman. 64. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Austin DIllon is slipping into the clutches of Justin Allgaier. WOW Austin, not doing to well is he? 65. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 6:55 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) It has taken only 15 laps for Logano to lap Nemechek. 66. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) See. I said Nemechek was a rolling chicane. 67. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "haha at guys putting the people who sing the national anthem down when none od you could probably do it any better." We should have a contest about which RR commenter can sing the best national anthem. That would be hilariously funny and kind of cool at the same time. 68. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:02 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) Once again, Nemechek is driving a shitbox. 69. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it weird that my comment about Nemechek was comment number 66? 70. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Is it weird that my comment about Nemechek was comment number 66? " Actually that was very well timed to match Nemechek's car number 71. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jeff Gordon to the lead. And BoB is a lap down. 72. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gordon to the lead. He has a great car right now. 73. Drivefor5isalive posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon takes the lead! 74. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fox conveniently showing Danica as she gets lapped. 75. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Truex in the wall. 76. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Caution for Ryan Truex's weekly crash. 77. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) the BK Racing crash of the week #1 presented by joes Crab Shack 78. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon takes lead as Ryan Truex causes a caution. How has he not been released yet? 79. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "haha at guys putting the people who sing the national anthem down when none od you could probably do it any better. " I sure as hell could! 80. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Anyone notice that Danica bets the free pass? And made that 2 start-and-parks for the season as Blaney has parked it after 33 laps. 81. cjs3872 posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @46, Jeff bGordon's actually going for his seventh Southern 500 win, not his sixth. 82. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) HAHA Stenhouse gets the free pass off his girlfriend. TROLOLOLOL 83. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon is actually going for his 8th Darlington win. He currently has 7. 84. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) My bad CJS, I didn't realize you said he's going for his seventh Southern 500 win. 85. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 83 car needs a new driver 86. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The leading rookie at the moment is Justin Allgaier. 87. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And cue Kyle Busch's weekly position slide. 88. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Stenhouse is getting outrun by most of the rookies, so that's pretty pathetic on his part. 89. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution 90. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Travis Kvapil brings out the caution. 91. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kvapil hit the wall. 92. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Annett running in the top 15. 93. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) how is Michael Annett holding off those guys? 94. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Pretty good run for Martin Truex too, who has had a disastrous year so far. 95. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Annett seems to be holding his own. He hasn't dropped like a rock like backmarkers who take two tires for track position usually do. 96. Kubica Fan Ireland posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Don't know if I have called it too early but it looks like Knaus may have dialled in Johnson's car 97. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Paraphrasing here Gordon: I need a little help on the restarts, anyway you can help me out? Gustafson: Uh...I don't know. 98. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick takes the lead from Kenseth, while Hamlin falls to 5th. The Gibbs cars seem to fall off a bit during long runs. 99. Debris posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) WTH is wrong with Car Edwards? He's about to get passed by David Ragan? 100. Debris posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Obviously I meant carl. And also ugh at Matt Kenseth in 2nd. 101. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There's looking to be problems with the leaderboard. 102. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not the NASCAR Live Leadrboard, but with the leaderboard on the broadcast. 103. Marissa posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kenseth must have a bad fast car because he's still hanging on in 2nd on two tires. Hope it doesn't go to crap mid-race like it has been every race this year. 104. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Annett in the wall. 105. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Annett in the wall. Tough break. He was running good. 106. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Annett in the wall. God dammit. 107. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Annett in the wall. Caution. 108. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Micheal Annett gets bit by the Lady in Black. 109. epzik8 posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I like Fox's Darlington Stripe count report there. 110. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dave Blaney's back running, that's good to know. 111. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) on a lighter note, they mentioned the 1950 Southern 500 Hershel McGriff, who competed in the 1950 Southern 500 ran a West Series race in 2012! 112. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Or at least, Blaney stayed out long enough to pass Ryan Truex. 113. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If I may... Terry Labonte won the last TRUE Southern 500 back in 2003. 114. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ambrose slaps the wall, no caution. 115. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Both the Petty cars are running well in the back after starting 3rd and 4th. In other news, you-know-who is knocking on the door of the top ten. 116. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Piss off, Johnson. 117. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 7:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon to second. 118. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Cole Whitt in the wall. 119. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whitt and Ragan in the wall, Rookie crash count: 3 120. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cole Whitt has inherited the "Curse of Kligerman". 121. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another rookie in trouble, the Lady in Black is chewing 'em up and spitting 'em out tonight. 122. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 2 cautions where Sorenson has gotten the free pass 123. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cole Whitt and David Ragan are into the wall in separate places as the caution comes out. 124. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The rookies are getting a nice welcome to Darlington. Three of the four cautions have been for first-year drivers hitting the wall. 125. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That paint scheme on the 23 of Alex Bowman is kick-ass. 126. Dense Drip posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That Ollie's Bargain Outlet commercial is going to give me nightmares. 127. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Already tired of listening to the "Jimmie Johnson passed a car! He is the greatest!" garbage from the idiots in the booth. I'll be impressed when Johnson can pass a car without Knaus bailing his ass out with a bunch of adjustments. 128. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Man I'm tired of Jeff Gordon not being aggressive enough on restarts. For the past few years, he always is slow on restarts! I understand he's an experienced driver who knows better than to push his luck on restarts and risk a crash and knows he has a fast enough car to get back by other drivers, but man, it's tough watching him drop on restarts! Here is something I'll never understand. Darlington seems like a racetrack that's right up Tony Stewart's alley, but Smoke has never really had any real success here. The man's led only 20 laps in his career here! Why is that?? 129. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stewart hasn't been horrible at Darlington. He's had some bad luck there, so that's a big part of it. I remember he was leading the 2002 Spring race when he got caught up in that terrible crash Buckshot Jones started. But I don't recall him ever really running horrible here. 130. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There go Mike Joy and DW at it again off the final 4. 131. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Here is something I'll never understand. Darlington seems like a racetrack that's right up Tony Stewart's alley, but Smoke has never really had any real success here. The man's led only 20 laps in his career here! Why is that??" I know, it's weird. He's never really been much of a threat at Darlington in his career except for a a slim few races (the only one the comes to mind right now is when he finished 3rd in 2012). 132. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why are there so many night races in April and May this year? We are in a night swing through the Coke 600 where five out of seven races (Sprint All-Star race included) are scheduled evening affairs with the advent of lights at Kansas. Also if not for the NCAA Final Four games last Saturday night, all but Talladega would have been scheduled night races as Texas likely would have been run Saturday evening. 133. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Both RPM cars as well as Stenhouse are being outrun by Danica right now. 134. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it just me, or does Kyle Larson run the high line at EVERY track? 135. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good time to show the leader...as he laps Danica. 136. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't know what happened to Almirola. They just started dropping like a rock and they haven't recovered. 137. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #132 It's all part of Brian France's "plan" to get as many nighttime races as possible. I'm surprised he hasn't made Talladega install lights, I have a feeling he will sooner or later. 138. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought that cameraman they showed in turn 3 was Kyle Petty...looked just like him! "Why are there so many night races in April and May this year?" Because NASCAR thinks the more night races, the better. In reality, it just dilutes the product and the excitement. Used to be when a night race was next up on the schedule, such as Richmond, Bristol or Daytona, everyone would be excited because it was rather unique. But now, it seems every other damn race is a night race, so the novelty wears off. I mean, a night race at Kansas??? C'mon man! 139. Cumulonimbus posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Except for the Penske cars, all Fords are having an awful run so far(Biffle is going pretty decently though)... it's a bit surprising to me, at least concerning the RPM cars which are both lapped. Otherwise, Kahne seems to finally have a race this season where things come together and he'll be in contention for the win. 140. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stewart has only had those two races, 2012 and 2002 where he could have won. Before Matt Kenseth won last year, was there ever a time Kenseth threatened to win at Darlington? 141. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stewart has only had those two races, 2012 and 2002 where he could have won. Before Matt Kenseth won last year, was there ever a time Kenseth threatened to win at Darlington? 142. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lol, the Petty cars are fighting with Danica again! Denny Hamlin missed the entrance of pit road. Costly mistake I should think... 143. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "#132 It's all part of Brian France's "plan" to get as many nighttime races as possible. I'm surprised he hasn't made Talladega install lights, I have a feeling he will sooner or later." I figured they would have added lights at Talladega during the repave project in 2006. 144. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) Jarret88fan, why did you post the same comment twice? 145. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it just me, or does Kyle Larson run the high line at EVERY track? Not Martinsville. 146. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I figured they would have added lights at Talladega during the repave project in 2006" I'm surprised they didn't do that. 147. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Before Matt Kenseth won last year, was there ever a time Kenseth threatened to win at Darlington?" The only one that comes to mind at the moment is the 2003 Southern 500. He was leading that race when he ran a bit high and scraped the wall. He never was able to get back to the lead that day. After green flag pit stops, Jeff Gordon has closed the gap on Harvick. 148. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DB1995, Kyle Larson does run the high line every race. It's part of what makes him so exciting. 149. Debris posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Yawn. 150. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think it would be a good idea to add lights to Talladega just as an insurance policy for weather situations, but that doesn't mean they have to have a night race. That's the problem we have. Brainless Brian and The Stooges think that just because a track has lights, that they have to have at least one night race. My opinion has already been stated. When I was a kid, night races were a special occasion that happened at special race tracks (Bristol, Richmond, the Coke 600, etc). But now, we have subpar race tracks like Kansas, Kentucky, Texas, and New Hampshire (next year, apparently) putting on night races. It's stupid. 151. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "There go Mike Joy and DW at it again off the final 4." in their defense they are sports reporters, nobody ever talks about our sport so we should look like the bigger man and talk about their sports that GoDaddy commercial with the body builders is annoying. Sex Sells, we all know that, and none of us are disputing it so, when the CEO of GoDaddy.com becomes a woman we can't see Danica Patrick in a swimsuit anymore (instead the money is blindly invested into her NASCAR career) but yet they can show shirtless men working out. double-standard 152. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Menard hard in the wall. 153. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Paul Menard is in the wall. 154. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Former Brickyard 400 winner hits the wall 155. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The double post was an accident. On the subject of drivers having few race winning worthy runs at Darlington, Harvick followed Terry Labonte in the last classic Southern 500 in 2003. 156. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DB1995: Thank you, Captain Obvious. 157. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "in their defense they are sports reporters, nobody ever talks about our sport so we should look like the bigger man and talk about their sports" Comparing stick and ball sports to auto racing though is like comparing apples to oranges. I think the only reason why the FOX morons do it is to promote their coverage of other sports and especially their struggling FOX Sports 1. You don't hear TNT do it on their NASCAR telecasts or NBC on their open wheel racing telecasts. 158. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No problem 159. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whoa, did Menard's tire explode again?? Looks like on the replay there, it exploded just like it did at Homestead last year. If so, they need to figure it out... 160. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Loose wheel for Jr. 161. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DB1995: :P 162. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did I just see on the leaderboard that Josh Wise was 20th? 163. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 8:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Casey Mears gets into Danica, so look for Danica to spin herself out while trying to retaliate. 164. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dillon and Allmendinger make heavy contact, and Allmendinger now has a bad tire rub. 165. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cowboy just leaned on AJ down the backstretch, the 47 has a tire about to go down. 166. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Austin Dillon and AJ Allmendinger touching fenders and now Allmendinger's tire is down. 167. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dinger needs to get on pit road before that left front blows and he wrecks. He's not even the first car a lap down anymore so pitting won't cost anything. 168. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Almirola. 169. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola spins. 170. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Almirola spins off Danica, big break for Allmendinger and Dale Jr. 171. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) AJ Allmendinger should get a lottery ticket pretty soon with that luck. 172. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aric got together with Danica. Two incidents for Danica within 10 laps. 173. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Almirola gets spun by BoB 174. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) DW -- "Almirola's been in the back of Danica a couple times..." *Rimshot* 175. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick just had about a 30 second pit stop. 176. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Anyone want to get a petition started to get Danica out of NASCAR? 177. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica is outrunning Tony Stewart, kind of sad really 178. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Is it just me, or does this race just seem blah for some reason? 179. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) LOL AJ on the radio. 180. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Ha Ha Ha, AJ's not a fan of ol' Silver Spoon. 181. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wonder if DSFF, JG24FF, and/or Schroeder51 are here... 182. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) It is easy for the Baroness to gain positions late in races like this with the wave around and inherit spots due to attrition. 183. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I wonder if DSFF, JG24FF, and/or Schroeder51 are here..." I know Schroeder is there for sure. 184. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) TS1420: Yes. 185. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Debris caution. 186. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Thank you Russell for the last pole winner to win a Cup race at Darlington stat, this Jarrett fan appreciates that fact. DJ had a dogfight with Ted Musgrave Gordon late in the 1997 spring race... I miss the TranSouth Financial 400. 187. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Now every rookie has hit the wall this weekend as Larson, Annett and Allgaier hit the wall. 188. Debris posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ironic that a Tony Stewart fan finds this race blah when Tony Stewart isn't doing good. Then again I think this race sucks and I'm a Carl Edwards fan.., 189. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Thank you Russell for the last pole winner to win a Cup race at Darlington stat, this Jarrett fan appreciates that fact. DJ had a dogfight with Ted Musgrave Gordon late in the 1997 spring race... I miss the TranSouth Financial 400." While the 500 mile race is a crown jewel, I always liked the 400 mile race because it usually had better racing. 190. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) GORDON!!!! 191. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What is it with Jeff Gordon and restarts, he's just been terrible on them tonight and elsewhere. 192. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Feel sorry for whoever gets stuck behind Gordon on a late restart, hes slow as hell 193. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch must have hit the wall harder than I thought. He's the last car on the lead lap in 24th. 194. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Ironic that a Tony Stewart fan finds this race blah when Tony Stewart isn't doing good. Then again I think this race sucks and I'm a Carl Edwards fan..," My 2nd favorite driver, Harvick, has been up front most of the race and I still can't get in to this race. I was more excited watching the replay of last nights Nationwide race this morning while knowing the outcome of the race (btw great job Chase!!!) 195. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Credit to Wise and the 98 car for staying on the lead lap this far into the race. 196. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Truex Jr in the wall. He can't buy a break this year. 197. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No caution for that?, that was hard enough to destroy the brake rotor 198. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Menard again. 199. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Menard into the wall AGAIN! he should just park it, that's so torn up. 200. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jaws theme as soon as the caution comes out...so much for NASCAR'S green initiative. 201. Mr X posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This caution makes me mad because from either Gordon's or Harvick's onboard that the 27 just came out of the garage. Damn. 202. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That should do it for Menard, his long night mercifully comes to an end. 203. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aussie Commenter #187: Nope. Kligerman hasn't hit the wall...yet. 204. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick hit one of Menard's brake rotors. Doesn't look like it will hurt him though. 205. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Silver Spoon is 18th and AJ is 19th. Things might get interesting... 206. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Great comeback for Kyle Busch. 207. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Wasn't the Baroness two laps down and takes the wave around, attrition vulturing at its finest. 208. Mr X posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff doesn't seem to restart to badly when he isn't leading the line, and disregard my comment about Menard, the onboard view showing him on the apron in turn 1 may have been post crash, Nascar was likely just slow to throw the yellow. 209. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:49 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Fox is soooo rooting for JJ. Jeff Gordon may be overheating. 210. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:50 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) f**k off, Johnson. 211. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well the last time Gordon had overheating issues at Darlington was in winning the 2007 Southern 500. James theme again. 212. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Typical Darlington, DW's new slogan 213. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:52 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Hopefully this happens..."I'm Jimmie Johnson! BOOM! My Engine!" 214. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:54 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Fox is soooo rooting for JJ." FOX must be grooming themselves to take over the mantle of "Official Network of Jimmie Johnson Ass-Kissing" from ESPN after they are done this season. 215. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 9:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jaws theme. James theme belongs in the Pocahontas movie Virginia Company song...for glory, gold, God and King James I. 216. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon is falling off again. So much for him having a good long run car. 217. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Tommy Baldwin Racing's FB page: "The No. 36 falls victim to a blown engine here at Darlington Raceway. Tough break for both TBR teams this weekend." Reed Sorenson is out with a blown engine. 218. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Vickers spins coming onto pit road. No caution. 219. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fox wants an eighth winner in eight races and since the defending champ has year to win, hence the cheer leading. Awesome no call for Vickers' spin. 220. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Vickers just did a 3 point turn to get into pit lane 221. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kahne pounds the wall. That has to be a caution. 222. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Khane in the wall, no luck this season. 223. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Surprised there wasn't a caution for Kahne hitting the wall. 224. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is the flag man asleep? 225. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That should have been a caution that destroyed that car 226. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, no caution. Pretty surprising. 227. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Holy crap! A car spins and a car in the wall and no caution? 228. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I'd almost rather have Johnson win than Harvick just to keep the winners streak going. 229. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson is catching Harvick. 230. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I won't be THAT upset if Jimmie wins, just because he's not been in contention for most of the race. 231. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) More Johnson worship from the monkey's in the booth. 232. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First Khane now Stremme smacks the wall and Bowman has a split corner panel. And has Kligerman hit the wall yet? 233. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd still rather have Harvick win though. Honestly, I would actually like to see a (legit) caution, just to see what type of strategy would be played. 234. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) f**k OFF JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!! 235. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) We have had a car spin out and be dangerously in the way, and a car hit the wall HARD and undoubtedly spew debris all over the track and no caution, but that hot dog wrapper would bring a caution out 236. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) More Johnson worship from the monkey's in the booth. Next they're gonna announce they hired Marty Smith-Johnson from NESPN. 237. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I don't understand how a driver can hit a wall so hard that it takes him completely out of the race, but still not throw a caution. I don't understand how NASCAR comes to these conclusions. 238. Mr X posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm curious who is actually faster on an open racetrack, Johnson and Harvick are in constant lapped traffic. 239. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick's stretching it out now. 240. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick is pulling away again. This is really similar to what happened earlier when Gordon was in 2nd. Gordon would catch up, and then Harvick would start pulling away again. 241. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick is in traffic again, so Jimmie might catch back up. 242. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Issues for Logano. Caution. 243. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Logano is smoking. Caution. This is gonna get interesting. 244. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Logano's blowing up, Caution. 245. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) there is the caution 246. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DeLana needs to go back to wearing a firesuit. 247. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution out for smoke in the air... 248. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR finally threw a caution for something that warrannted it 249. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie is gonna take two. 250. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Unfortunately, the only guy who'll race Dos Jotas is in 5th. 251. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson, Earnhardt Jr, Kenseth, and Gordon all take two while everyone else takes four. 252. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick may have enough laps to get back up front. Speed penalty for Denny Hamlin. 253. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvicks got em 254. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh FFS!!! 255. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Kvapil. 256. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yellow for Kvapil and Hamlin. 257. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kvapil blows up for a caution, and Hamlin also in trouble. Let's go Green-White-Chekered finish at Darlington Boys and Danica. 258. Anonymous posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Debris caution??? Nah, I think it's Brian France appealing to the 48 haters. 259. Sarf52 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought it was gonna be another phantom debris caution and I was gonna be PISSED 260. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) 3 words: f**k. Off. Johnson. 261. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good. Caution. Harvick needs to just piledrive the next car that holds him up on a restart (and hopefully it's Johnson). 262. Mr X posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I pick Harvick given the way he just drove around Kenseth. 263. joey2448 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The only thing now is, with those three laps they just ran, is the advantage of 4 tires over 2 tires gone? I think those tires are closer to being equal. If only Junior had the balls to race Jimmie for the win... 264. Mr X posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Jeff Gordon is restarting on the inside! 265. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No idea why Jimmie chooses the outside on the restart. 266. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Dos Jotas is starting on the outside and the moving pick...er the 88 car will be on the inside in front of Harvick. 267. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I don't usually root for Dale Jr, but when I do, it's for him to beat Jimmie. 268. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Oh let guess. Jr's gonna block for Dipsh*t. 269. Sarf52 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon sank like a rock 270. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie screws himself. HARD hit for Kurt Busch. 271. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, Kurt took a big hit. 272. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt is hard into the wall. Caution and Take 2 273. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch gets wrecked. 274. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well I guess Jr can't block for Johnson when the 4 car pushes him to a good restart. Dammit Kurt!!! 275. DB1995 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Surprised they didnt wait til the white flag to throw the caution 276. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Bowyer just wrecks Kurt. And Kurt isn't happy. 277. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good. Caution. Harvick needs to just piledrive the next car that holds him up on a restart (and hopefully it's Johnson). You about called it. Harvick pushed Jr so hard he didn't get a chance to block for Dos Jotas. 278. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 1 word: Ouch. 279. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So for Richmond, we have Berryhill wrecking Larson on Friday, and Kurt wrecking Bowyer and maybe AJ taking out Silver Spoon on Saturday. 280. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:39 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Piss off, Johnson! 281. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick spins the tires. 282. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick just drove by Jr as if he were standing still. 283. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick powers by Dale Jr and wins it. 284. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Another great run for Larson, he wound up 8th. 285. numbah10hatah posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kevin Harvick be like, bye bitches! See ya in victory lane! 286. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:42 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) So Harvick becomes a member of the Big 5 Club, winning the Daytona 500, Southern 500, World 600, Brickyard 400, and the spring Talladega race. 287. loomer posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why would Jr give Harvick the top in that situation? 288. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where'd Smoke come from, nice recovery to 9th for him. First time a pole winner has won at Darlington since Dale Jarret in 1997. 289. murb posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:45 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "Why would Jr give Harvick the top in that situation?" If he would have given Harvick the bottom, Harvick would have gotten by him even sooner. 290. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The final Crown Jewel that has alluded Harvick is no more. At the finish line, I thought Stewart was a lapped car...seriously the wave around worked to his benefit. Jimmie just got outstrategized on the second to last restart, I have the feeling that won't happen again in the Chase. 291. Neal posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:47 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) 3 wins and two poles...anybody still think equipment is keeping the Neon Nonfactor down? 292. epzik8 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I didn't like all of those cautions at the end because I just wanted the race to end. But now we have our first repeat winner of the season. And Jimmie Johnson is still winless. 293. loomer posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If he would have given Harvick the bottom, Harvick would have gotten by him even sooner." Sorry, I should have elaborated. Not on the restart, I meant going into 3 with 2 to go. 294. Drivefor5isalive posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon keeps the points lead! 295. The Long Shot posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) With his victory tonight, Kevin Harvick becomes the first driver to clinch a spot in the Chase. 296. jabber1990 posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:58 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Neon Nonfactor? ouch I like it though! 297. Debris posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 293: Harvick would've still got by, it was a lose lose situation for jr, kind of like last week with Gordon and Logano 298. 23andJoe posted: 04.12.2014 - 10:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #1 sponsor: Cessna/Beechcraft #32 sponsor: Keen Parts Corvette Parts #33 sponsor: Little Joe's Autos #36 sponsor: Tommy Baldwin Racing #40 sponsor: Hillman-Circle Sport LLC #77 sponsor: Randy Humphrey Racing 299. Eric posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kevin Harvick now has as many wins as Jim Paschal and Joe Weatherly. Kevin is now one cup win away from tying Fred Lorenzen. Kevin also becomes the first driver to win from the pole at Darlington since Dale Jarrett winning the spring race in 1997 and is the first driver to win the Southern 500 from the pole since Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1990. 300. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:07 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Nope on the neon nonfactor question Neal. By the way that is another awesome name for her. RHR won the IRL title last year for one of her former teams. Hinchcliffe won races with her team as well. Regan Smith has won three races in the last two years for her former Nationwide Series team. She is an albatross plain and simple. For half of the races she runs at least one lap down and seingly only gains positions through attrition, wavearounds and bullying FRM and RPM drivers. 301. TS1420 posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Woohoo! Great job Harvick! First repeat winner of 2014, though if not for bad luck this would have been his 3rd or 4th win. -Harvick has now won every big event (though CHP, his win at the spring Talladega race doesn't count since the fall race actually carries the lineage of the Winston 500. But that race has been reduced to "Pluto Status" of crown jewel events since ending of Winston sponsorship & the million dollar programs), all he needs is a Cup to cap it all off. -And Harvick also becomes the first driver to win the Southern 500 from the pole in almost 25 years. -Hendrick teammates tried pulling a fast one with Junior on the inside to block Harvick for winless Johnson but Harvick wouldn't have any of that and pushed Junior to a hell of a restart. -....Is the scoring ticker broken again? Stewart finished 9th? The same Stewart that ran negative 20th for most of the race and was a lap down for a good portion of it? HOLY SH*T! Great comeback finish by Smoke! -Really could have done without Jimmie Johnson worship from FOX tonight. They acted like Johnson had a legendary performance where he took a bad car and forced it to almost win when in reality Knaus had to work his voodoo magic and bail Johnson's wheel holding ass out yet again. I give props to Chad Knaus for making Johnson look better than he actually is for like the 1,000,000th time. -Still can't believe NASCAR sat on the yellow flag twice in the closing laps, especially when Kahne totaled his car. I give the race a 7/10, pretty meh & bleh for the first 3/4 of the race but the intensity started picking up in the final 1/4. 302. luigistarted06 posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @300 Don't forget BKR, Danica has it out for all things BK Racing 303. Aaron posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Clint Bowyer gonna Clint Bowyer. 304. Jarrett88fan posted: 04.12.2014 - 11:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Biffle has quietly put together a sixth and fifth place finishes this week, without much notice. If he doesn't wimp out at Talladega or finds away to be on the right side of pit strategy at a Kansas or Michigan, Biffle will win a race and make the Chase. Right now, I have more confidence in Greg Biffle making the Chase than Kasey Kahne. 305. Double standards posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:02 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) So if it's not ok to blame the equipment for Danica's problems, why is it fine to blame Danica for the equipment's problems? 306. Neal posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @305 - The problem isn't the equipment. Danica is a mediocre driver. Can't drive an ill-handling car to save her life. 307. 23andJoe posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) In the season stats, J.J. Yeley is being shown with 4 DNQs due to having withdrawn both here and Bristol. This is erronious. He has two DNQs this season (Vegas and Texas). 308. b4il3y posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:20 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Nice Job Josh Wise... LL finish at Darlington, and almost a top 20. 309. Schroeder51 posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:25 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) Just got back home from the race, and let me say, I had one hell of a good time! Really enjoyed the race tonight. Here's a few thoughts... -Harvick definitely had the best car tonight by far, and I'm actually glad the fastest car won the race. But boy, I think whoever said he was going to have a Geoff Bodine 1994-type season certainly seems to be right! -I haven't got anything against Junior, but I'm honestly glad he didn't win because...I don't know what the fans WOULD have done! Just like DaleSrFan said at Martinsville, the Junior fans were REALLY annoying tonight. They pointed and cheered just about every single time he passed someone on the track...they were practically in ecstasy when he took the lead on the first GWC just before Kurt Busch got dumped. -All the cautions in this race were definitely legit. The debris caution on lap 248 was almost certainly for debris from Michael Annett's car as he actually hit the wall a second time just a few laps before and I definitely saw some pieces come off his car. Awful first race for him at Darlington, a shame because he was running pretty wall until he hit the wall. -Paul Menard had a really awful race as well. I can't believe that car actually took the checkered flag; that car was just so beat up looking after he smacked the wall the second time. -Really surprised they didn't throw a caution for Kasey Kahne smacking the wall, that car was pretty much totaled. -I predicted that both Larson and Stewart would finish in the top 10 in this race...I can't believe I actually guessed right, considering they both ran pretty mediocre all night long... -Great run for Josh Wise too, spent a large portion of the race on the lead lap and outran Danica for most of the night as well in a car with much less funding. Also, props to Parker Kligerman for actually managing to survive a race for once! He's had such horrible luck this year, so even though he finished 30th, I'm happy he actually got to finish a race without too much trouble. -A bit disappointed with Gordon finishing 7th considering he had a car that could have easily finished second, but oh well. At least he still came out of the race with a top 10 and maintained the points lead. Definitely liked this race more than the one last year. Can't wait to go back again next year! 310. Daniel posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:25 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Go Gordon! 311. seyb32 posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:35 am Rate this comment: (2) (4) I'm well aware than Danica isn't that great. How couldn't I be after reading you guys....who can't understand why people obsess about her....obsessively talk about for the entire four hour duration of the race. Good god guys, we get it. Danica is a below average driver...at best. She runs in the low to mid 20's most weeks and only does that because of attrition. Plenty of drivers before her (with a lot more experience I may add) have made a pretty nice career for themselves by doing the same thing. The fact remains that if we gave you time to get equal experience in a stock car or indy car, she'd likely outrun you every day of the week. Get over it and find something else to talk about. You have no idea how much I'd love to have her win Daytona in July in much the same fashion that James Buescher won the NNS race a couple of years back. Running 12th and winning because of a pileup in front of her. In doing so, she'd make the Chase with nothing more than a fluke win. I for one would love it....and not because I like Danica. Just because I'd like to see if I could still navigate this site through all the mess created by your collective heads exploding at the fact it happened. 312. seyb32 posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:43 am Rate this comment: (6) (0) Great run for Josh Wise. Better than Danica in a car with much less funding. Great run for Casey Mears. Better than Danica in a car with much less funding. Great run for Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson. Better than Danica and they have fewer career cup starts than her. Great run for AJ Allmendinger. He was suspended for drugs two years ago, was out of the sport for awhile and is still better than Danica. Great run for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Better than Danica and he's been banging her longer than he's been driving Cup. In case you didn't understand, Danica's not that good. I mean, really not good. I could totally outdrive her and I have never even climbed into a Stock Car. Man, does she suck....Just ask Ricky. In closing, Danica's not a good driver. 313. luigistarted06 posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:43 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Parker Kligerman completing his first race of the year without running into some kind of terrible luck! 314. RaceFanX posted: 04.13.2014 - 1:23 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) I love how Travis Kvapil's Ford was sponsored by a Corvette parts company. It reminds me of the old school era when you'd see entries like Ed Negre's #8 Ford that was sponsored by a Plymouth dealer. 315. 23andJoe posted: 04.13.2014 - 5:30 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^ Is it more or less fun then when Boris Said is in the car at the road courses...and it's sponsored by HendrickCars.com? (IIRC they actually take all the Ford decals off it for those races, too!) 316. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.13.2014 - 5:35 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm well aware than Danica isn't that great. How couldn't I be after reading you guys....who can't understand why people obsess about her....obsessively talk about for the entire four hour duration of the race. Good god guys, we get it. Danica is a below average driver...at best. She runs in the low to mid 20's most weeks and only does that because of attrition. Plenty of drivers before her (with a lot more experience I may add) have made a pretty nice career for themselves by doing the same thing. The fact remains that if we gave you time to get equal experience in a stock car or indy car, she'd likely outrun you every day of the week. Get over it and find something else to talk about. You have no idea how much I'd love to have her win Daytona in July in much the same fashion that James Buescher won the NNS race a couple of years back. Running 12th and winning because of a pileup in front of her. In doing so, she'd make the Chase with nothing more than a fluke win. I for one would love it....and not because I like Danica. Just because I'd like to see if I could still navigate this site through all the mess created by your collective heads exploding at the fact it happened. " And I would STILL say Janet Guthrie, Sara Christian, Louise Smith, and Sarah Fisher, amongst other women, are better than Danica. 317. joey2448 posted: 04.13.2014 - 5:54 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dude you guys should check out the loop data stats...Tony Stewart spent nine laps of the race in the top 15! NINE LAPS!!! And he ends up with a top 10! Those kinds of finishes are gonna win him a championship this year. Of course, he wouldn't have been able to do so without those late cautions at the end... Also, Kyle Busch seems to have done the same. How many times did the 18 get into the wall? And he comes home 6th? I know most of you on this site agree with me here, but who else out there still believes Austin Dillon is better than Kyle Larson? 318. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.13.2014 - 6:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I know most of you on this site agree with me here, but who else out there still believes Austin Dillon is better than Kyle Larson? " The Devil and the man with the dark desire 319. CBASS posted: 04.13.2014 - 10:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor updates #42 Target/ Oscar Mayer P3 Protein Pack #51 Sherwin-Williams/ AWX Performance Plus #47 Clorox/ Viva Vantage/ House-Autry #34 CSX "I Promise To Brake For Trains" #16 American Red Cross/ 3Mgives 320. numbah10hatah posted: 04.13.2014 - 11:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it bad that I laughed out loud at seyb32's comment about Stenhouse running better than Danican't? 321. The Long Shot posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And I would STILL say Janet Guthrie, Sara Christian, Louise Smith, and Sarah Fisher, amongst other women, are better than Danica." And I would go a step further and say that most female drivers coming through the ranks today are better than Danica. Johanna Long, Kenzie Ruston, Mackena Bell, Taylor Ferns, and Sloan Henderson are a few examples. seyb32 did sum up this comment board in a nutshell, however. For the love of god, we all know that Danica is a mediocre-at-best driver who can't produce even in top-notch equipment. Can we please accept that and move on with our lives, instead of pouncing on any chance we have to bash her and the media attention she gets (which is actually dwindling as the races go on)? 322. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "seyb32 did sum up this comment board in a nutshell, however. For the love of god, we all know that Danica is a mediocre-at-best driver who can't produce even in top-notch equipment. Can we please accept that and move on with our lives, instead of pouncing on any chance we have to bash her and the media attention she gets (which is actually dwindling as the races go on)? " It would be easier if y'all just used Live Leaderboard. 323. DB1995 posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Another absolutely pitiful race for Stenhouse, can someone answer me if he is driving for Front Row or Roush? 324. Evan posted: 04.13.2014 - 12:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) * Kevin Harvick now has wins on all of the prestigious tracks, Daytona(2007 Daytona 500), Charlotte(the 600), Talladega(2009), Indianapolis(2003 Brickyard), and Darlington(This year). Which was a mark I knew he would reach but, it would take a long time. Harvick's slam is unique because he won the spring event, not the Labor Day event but since it is the only Darlington race on tne schedule, he gets a career slam. He did win Talladega in the spring which has ties to the Winston 500. But anyway, this really should not be considered a career grand slam but this is about as close as you can get to completing one in this era. * Clint Bowyer spins Kurt Busch in one of the most worst times possible, somehow Bowyer got the impression Kurt was going to lift later than he did and Bowyer just punted him. Still a dissapointing night for Kurt but he will be okay, pretty interesting that Stewart-Haas is outrunning Hendrick Motorsports at the moment. But I expect business to pick up pretty soon, though. 325. The Long Shot posted: 04.13.2014 - 1:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "It would be easier if y'all just used Live Leaderboard." What, and pass up the chance to hear the dulcet tones of Michael Wal...point due. Still, Live Leaderboard scares me more than the actual telecast because of the commenters. They're the type who either think Danica is the greatest driver who ever lived or think that she deserves to be r@ped because of her poor performance. 326. murb posted: 04.13.2014 - 2:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) For those complaining about the Danica bashing or whatever, you REALLY shouldn't visit her driver page. I agree though. There really isn't any reason to just CONSTANTLY mention her. Everyone knows she's terrible and isn't improving at all. I try to only mention her if she does something notable (like last night when she made contact with Mears and Almirola both in less than ten laps). But all of the "Danica finishes 27th again, in a Hendrick car" analysis stuff after the race is pretty much beating a dead horse. 327. AveryNH posted: 04.13.2014 - 2:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You guys are totally over looking Lyn St. James who granted had a mediocre open wheel career, absolutely drove the wheels of her Imsa gtp and gto probes, merkurs and of course those mustangs. She was at home in sports cars in Imsa or trans am. 328. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.13.2014 - 3:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kevin Harvick has now won each of the "majors": the Daytona 500, the Pepsi 400, the Brickyard 400, the Southern 500, the Coke 600, and the spring Talladega. Of course, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and Buddy Baker each won five of those because the Brickyard didn't exist back then, so they essentially completed the set. Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson have each completed the set, albeit Harvick and Johnson didn't win a genuine "Labor Day Weekend Southern 500" in 100-110 degree heat, but still quite impressive. Jeff Gordon has won the complete set... THREE TIMES, only matched by Bobby Allison. Gordon has half of a fourth set. 329. Sean posted: 04.13.2014 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Sarah Fisher" I like her but she had very weak results for a somewhat strong team (Gil de Ferran and Robby Gordon both won for Walker Racing in CART) against a very weak field. I'm not sure she would have even gotten Danica's results for a major team. I'm happy she's showing faith to my favorite IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, even though he doesn't bring any sponsorship, rather than finding a ride-buyer... "Sean, if anything, your evidence is proof that we are, in fact, in one of the least competitive eras in NASCAR history because we are THIS car dependent where any idiot (e.g. Robby Gordon at Loudon in 2001) can win in a fast enough car." Disagree. Questionable drivers have always been able to contend in elite cars (I'm thinking about Pete Hamilton here, although I admit I'm probably a bit ignorant about his career, but he wouldn't have won all those Daytona/Talladega races without being in a dominant Plymouth SuperBird). And is Robby really your best example? Mike Skinner never won in that car, and Robby, even though he is a very overrated driver in general, managed to win in a wide variety of forms of racing. I think Robby could have potentially had a great career if he had been less of a temperamental, stubborn, stick in the mud and focused on only one series... 330. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.13.2014 - 3:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And is Robby really your best example? Mike Skinner never won in that car, and Robby, even though he is a very overrated driver in general, managed to win in a wide variety of forms of racing. I think Robby could have potentially had a great career if he had been less of a temperamental, stubborn, stick in the mud and focused on only one series... " I could go on a tirade with this one... Trevor Bayne, David Ragan, Ricky Craven, Regan Smith, etc, etc, etc. Nowadays, when guys like that win, it's usually a fluke. When was the last time a mid-pack driver went out there and randomly schooled the field in amazing fashion? 2004? Each one of Nemechek's wins involved some kind of random dominance from a mid-pack car. Before that? Lake Speed? 331. Sean posted: 04.13.2014 - 3:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There are more good cars now then there were then, which gives opportunities for mediocre drivers to win, and this certainly would have happened in past decades . I'd credit NASCAR's bogus charity rules for most of those sort of wins though... And there have certainly been flukes for decades. Lennie Pond, Bobby Hillin, Dick Brooks, Earl Ross, etc..., etc... "When was the last time a mid-pack driver went out there and randomly schooled the field in amazing fashion?" David Reutimann at Chicagoland would be my answer... When there are more good cars than good drivers, this will happen. And it would have happened in past decades too... 332. Sean posted: 04.13.2014 - 3:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Back in the '90s mid-pack drivers DID randomly dominate though. Rick Mast, Hut Stricklin, Jimmy Spencer, even Michael Waltrip (in that race at Darlington...) I don't see what's changed, except that NASCAR's charity rules allow more flukish winners than what happened in the past... I think it's a LOT harder for truly mediocre drivers to dominate now. 333. Eric posted: 04.13.2014 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean, You are right about being a bit ignorant about Pete Hamilton's career. He was a NASCAR National Sportsman division champion in 1967 and he won 12 out of 26 NASCAR Grand America races he raced in 1969. He was what I call I damaged goods as a driver at time he won the 1970 Daytona 500. He suffered a neck injury during a NASCAR Grand America race and it became a reoccurring problem for him. The neck injury was one of the reasons why Pete didn't race much in cup after 1971. 334. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.13.2014 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "When was the last time a mid-pack driver went out there and randomly schooled the field in amazing fashion?" David Reutimann at Chicagoland would be my answer... He didn't even lead the most laps in that race. 335. Quasar posted: 04.13.2014 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Those late race cautions saved Edwards & Stewart. Not surprised these two were able to gain a lot of spots in the last ten laps though, they do it quite often (along with Ryan Newman). 336. David posted: 04.13.2014 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "He didn't even lead the most laps in that race." No, but he pulled off the race-winning pass on none other than Jeff Gordon. That's fairly impressive. 337. joey2448 posted: 04.13.2014 - 7:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Nowadays, when guys like that win, it's usually a fluke. When was the last time a mid-pack driver went out there and randomly schooled the field in amazing fashion? 2004? Each one of Nemechek's wins involved some kind of random dominance from a mid-pack car. Before that? Lake Speed?" Man that's exactly what NASCAR needs more of these days. The kind of season that we had in 2001, for example, when like, five races were won by guys that randomly popped up from mediocrity and won it! "David Reutimann at Chicagoland would be my answer... He didn't even lead the most laps in that race." Yeah but he outran the leaders in the final green flag run (which was a long one) in that race, which included Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon! 338. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.13.2014 - 7:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was pulling for anybody to win this race over Jimmie Johnson, and even better is that two of the cars that consistently ran better than him the whole race finished ahead of him. Gordon was also a Top 5 car, but his restarts killed him. Kyle Larson is continuing to show strength I never thought he would be able to show during his first Cup season. Surprising that Austin Dillon finished this well, I guess we'll see if he can ever do well on a weekly basis once he supposedly gets "the hang" of the Cup cars. Great finish for Josh Wise considering his equipment, and also good to see Landon Cassill and the #40 team manage a Top 25. Alex Bowman didn't run all that well, but he managed to take advantage of some attrition to finish 29th and once again did better than his teammate (who I still think we're too quick to give up on, but if Ryan Truex keeps this up I'll join the bandwagon of "He needs to be fired!" He really needs to start showing SOME hints that he could possibly be competitive in the future). 339. JG24FanForever posted: 04.13.2014 - 8:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am ultra faded after a full weekend at Darlington. I got to see Chase win his debut at Darlington, and he did it with an outside pass! I sat with my wild ass friends in the Tyler tower for the Nationwide event, but I had to sit by myself on the backstretch for the Cup race, since I didn't already have a ticket when we went. Either way, I drank a gatorade bottle full of Beam and Coke, and had fun ribbing a June fan when Gordon would overtake him. But I was definitely pulling for Junior at the end of the race when Gordon and it looked like Johnson was going to play thief. Great weekend!! seeing Chase win was definitely the highlight of the event, and Gordon being the points leader going in and leaving the event was second. Kyle Larson had the debut I expected, getting in the wall and pulling out a strong Top 8 finish, his fourth Top 10 in the last 5 races. 340. JG24FanForever posted: 04.13.2014 - 8:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *But I was definitely pulling for Junior at the end of the race when Gordon faded and it looked like Johnson was going to play thief. 341. Ryan posted: 04.13.2014 - 9:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sounds like Robby Gordon is going to run the Indy 500 this year 342. TS1420 posted: 04.13.2014 - 10:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh god. Rubby, Juan Problem & Krazy Kurt all in the Indy 500? I smell disaster waiting to happen. 343. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.13.2014 - 11:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Oh god. Rubby, Juan Problem & Krazy Kurt all in the Indy 500? I smell disaster waiting to happen." Just keep Juan away from any safety vechiles (namely track cleaners) and i think we'll be fine. If the rumors are true that Robby will be in it, i'm not still not watching (and i'm a Robby fan). Comeback too NASCAR you @$$hole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 344. cjs3872 posted: 04.13.2014 - 11:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.'s defense, DB1995, Carl Edwards didn't run that much better for most of the race himself, but he got the breaks that got him his lap back much earlier, hence his somewhat respectable finish of 13th. And I found it a bit odd that other drivers during the race were commenting on Jeff Gordon's restart issues, which as I said last year, are tied to the gear ratios they're running, which make them harder to restart. And that's not a problem isolated to Gordon, but rather a blanket problem across all of Hendrick Motorsports. And speaking of Gordon, it seems like after finally making an intelligent pit call at Texas, Alan Gustafson is back to screwing up late-race strategy. With these races being plagued by late race cautions, Jeff Gordon is not going to find victory lane until that problem is fixed. Bad restarts are something that can be fixed, especially if it's a gear ratio issue, but bad tactical decisions are something that can't be overcome if it's late in a race. Two tires on a car that hit the wall (something Gordon admitted to after the race), and the last car on two tires to boot? Gustafson made a great call last week and it got his driver a much better finish than they were going to get with a shot at victory thrown in, but two tires on a worn-out track surface with a car that's hit the wall with an impending restart with a car that's bad on restarts anyway? That's just asking for trouble. And has anyone noticed that every one of the races that Gordon has won since 2011 that has gone the distance has ended with a long green flag run (including the first fuel mileage win of Gordon's career in the 2012 finale), which effectively nullifies pit strategy. And on another note, the Masters, which was, from start to finish, as goofy as any I've seen, was as bereft of drama today as most Cup races are when there aren't any late cautions to set up these finishes. That looked like a U.S. Open, which is filled with conservative golf, rather than a Masters, which is usually one of the most exciting major sporting events there is, but it was totally bereft of drama today after the ninth hole. 345. New14 & 88Fan posted: 04.14.2014 - 12:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Sounds like Robby Gordon is going to run the Indy 500 this year" Another reason to watch Indy this year besides Kurt doing the double, Sweet! 346. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.14.2014 - 1:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm surprised nobody has pointed this out yet, but--historically speaking--if Johnson doesn't win by at least race 8 since he began winning championships in 2006, he doesn't win the championship. 2002: Race 10, 5th in points 2003: Race 12, 2nd in points 2004: Race 5, 2nd in points 2005: Race 3, 5th in points (earliest Johnson has won without winning championship) 2006: Race 1, Champion 2007: Race 3, Champion 2008: Race 8, Champion (latest Johnson has won and still won championship) 2009: Race 6, Champion 2010: Race 2, Champion 2011: Race 8, 6th in points 2012: Race 11, 3rd in points 2013: Race 1, Champion Of course trends like this don't really dictate what will happen. There is correlation, but no causation. Still interesting to look. 347. joey2448 posted: 04.14.2014 - 2:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Oh god. Rubby, Juan Problem & Krazy Kurt all in the Indy 500? I smell disaster waiting to happen." Why? Two of those drivers have run multiple Indy 500's, one of them a winner. Kurt is a big question mark, we'll see how he fares, but I don't expect it to be any wilder with those three drivers. But it's sure to be interesting. I can't wait. 348. Destroyahirismix666 posted: 04.14.2014 - 7:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) All the more reason to want to watch the Indy 500. I'll still try to do triple-duty that day and watch the F1, INdycar, and NASCAR events, but No guarntees. 349. Anonymous posted: 04.14.2014 - 10:09 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) @345 so the only reason you were going to watch the indy 500 was because Kurt was going to race in it? that just boggles my mind. you nascar fans are weeeeird 350. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.14.2014 - 12:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @post346 I'm going too use that. You'll get credit of course. 351. murb posted: 04.14.2014 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I read that Paul Tracy is also looking to run the Indy 500. So with Robby, PT (potentially), Kurt, and Montoya in the field, it really does make for an interesting lineup. Hopefully the racing will be as awesome as it was last year, because 2013 was maybe the best Indy 500 I've seen in my time of watching that race. 352. Sean posted: 04.14.2014 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm not sure where Ryan got his information, but Robby and PT are both seen as extreme longshots at the moment, even though I'd enjoy seeing them in the race... I think Robby's only connection to Indy this year will be him holding a Stadium Super Truck race at IMS... 353. Eric posted: 04.14.2014 - 6:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) TS1420, you shouldn't be smelling disaster for the 2014 Indy 500 due to Montoya and Robby Gordon. I remembered those drivers before they became NASCAR drivers. Montoya and Robby Gordon were talented open wheel drivers before going to NASCAR. Robby Gordon actually was a very talented open wheel driver that won 2 times in CART in 1995 and he finished in the top 5 in points 2 times with Derrick Walker Racing. That is a big deal because of the talent in CART in 1994 and 1995. He almost won the 1999 Indy 500 with John Menard. Robby's problem in opened wheel is the same as it was in NASCAR for him. That is lack of focus and maturity. Montoya actually is a more talented open wheel driver than a stock driver. 354. Ryan posted: 04.14.2014 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) https://twitter.com/LewisFranck/status/455445555049553920 355. JG24FanForever posted: 04.14.2014 - 11:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This race marked the 17th time Gordon finished in the Top 7 in 22 Southern 500's. 1st six times (I was present in 2002 for the only Southern 500 win that he dominated.) 2nd three times 3rd three times 4th twice 5th once 6th once 7th once 12th once 13th once 22nd once in his debut 32nd once in the final Labor Day event 35th once in the 2012 edition (I was present for his worst Southern 500.) Gordon's record in the Southern 500 is probably the best record any driver has ever had in a Crown Jewel race. 356. BON GORDON posted: 04.14.2014 - 11:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As we all know Jeff Gordon is the points leader after eight races in 2014. They head into a weekend off for Easter and will return to racing at Richmond in a little less than two weeks. Gordon has 3 top fives and 6 top tens and an average finish of 7.4. Did a little research to see how the points leader after 8 races faired in the points each year by seasons end from 2003-2013: 2003- Matt Kenseth (won championship) 2004- Dale Jr. (finished 5th); Kurt Bush won championship, was 2nd 2005- J. Johnson (finished 5th); T. Stewart won championship, was 14th 2006- M. Kenseth (finished 2nd); J. Johnson won championship, was 2nd 2007- Jeff Gordon (finished 2nd); J. Johnson won championship, was 4th 2008- Jeff Burton (finished 6th); J. Johnson won championship, was 4th 2009- Jeff Gordon (finished 3rd); J. Johnson won championship, was 2nd 2010- Jimmie Johnson (won championship) 2011- C. Edwards (finished 2nd); T. Stewart won championship, was 12th 2012- Greg Biffle (finished 5th); B. Keselowski won championship, was 14th 2013- Jimmie Johnson (won championship) *The points leader after eight races won the championship three times in 11 seasons and had an average eventual points finish of 3rd place. Which means Gordon should expect a points finish around there. The eventual points champion after eight races was on average 5th in points. Who's fifth in points after eight races in 2014? Jimmie Johnson.....UGH! Not really going out on a limb when I say he's my pick to win the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. He will tie legends Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty with his 7th Championship. (Yes I know there were different factors and different points systems over the years. I just did it for fun.) 357. joey2448 posted: 04.15.2014 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ok, I keep hearing that Harvick is locked into the Chase...how is he locked in the Chase if there's no guarantee that he'll stay within the top 30 in points? A driver has to be in the top 30 in points to make the Chase, or otherwise any wins he has doesn't matter. Currently, Harvick is 22nd in points, meaning a summer slump could knock him out. RaceHub and others are saying he's locked in? 358. murb posted: 04.15.2014 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) He's not officially locked in, but at this point it's pretty much about a 90-95% chance that he'll make The Chase. 359. The Long Shot posted: 04.15.2014 - 11:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Add Townsend Bell to the list of drivers with an Indy 500 ride, as he will run the #6 for KV Racing. 360. Scott B posted: 04.16.2014 - 10:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, Harvick isn't locked in with mathematical certainty, but unless he misses races, it's not realistic for 8 drivers currently behind him in points to overtake him. The only reason he's 22nd in points is that he's had finishes of 36th or worse in four of the eight races so far. If that pattern of having trouble in 50% of the races continued right up to race 26 and the points reset, he'd still make the Chase field easily. To have a "summer slump" Harvick's luck would have to get worse than it's already been. Joey2448 is correct, though, in other sports you never hear the media say a team has clinched a playoff spot or is "locked in" unless they are 100% in even in the absolute worst case scenario, no matter how unlikely that set of circumstances is in the real world. Why should NASCAR be different? 361. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.16.2014 - 7:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Has anyone else seen the new 2015 Toyota Camry? It looks ten times uglier than the current one, and I would guess that it will debut during next year's SpeedWeeks. Heck, it's even uglier than the Chevy SS in my opinion! If I had a say in what models each manufacturer raced in the Cup Series, I would want Chevy to run the Camaro Z28, Ford to run their 2015 Mustang, and for Toyota, I guess it really doesn't matter. If Dodge were to return, then I'd love to see them run either the Viper or Charger again. Kind of funny because most of these cars run in the Nationwide Series. 362. TS1420 posted: 04.17.2014 - 12:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Kind of funny because most of these cars run in the Nationwide Series." I never understood why NASCAR and the manufactures decided to showcase the performance cars in the 2nd tier series and family sedans in the premier series. The Trucks & Nationwide should really be racing this Friday and Saturday. Especially the Truck Series. This 2 races in 3 months crap is, well, crap. 363. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.17.2014 - 6:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am currently watching V8 Supercars classics, the 2001 Bathurst 1000 and I can tell you the attrition was insane in that race, with less than half of the 40 entries finishing the race. 364. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I never understood why NASCAR and the manufactures decided to showcase the performance cars in the 2nd tier series and family sedans in the premier series." If I had to wager a guess, I'd say it has something to do with the fact that family sedans are the bread and butter of US and international car sales. The average NASCAR fan probably has a spouse and two children, so if they are (for example) a Carl Edwards fan and want to drive what he races; they are much more likely to purchase a Fusion over a Mustang.That's the only reason the manufactures are involved in the first place; to sale cars. It makes sense to market your most marketable vehicles in the most marketable series. That's my thoughts at least. "The Trucks & Nationwide should really be racing this Friday and Saturday. Especially the Truck Series. This 2 races in 3 months crap is, well, crap." NO NO NO NO NO. Especially to running on Friday. It may not be your belief, but the NASCAR fan base and it's drivers are overwhelming Christian. A lot of Christians, Catholics especially, object to doing anything overtly pleasurable on the day meant to memorialize the day Christ was crucified. No need to go into explaining why because someone who doesn't already see it this way probably isn't going to change their mind on the Internet, but (again) those are my thoughts. 365. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.17.2014 - 10:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If I had to wager a guess, I'd say it has something to do with the fact that family sedans are the bread and butter of US and international car sales. The average NASCAR fan probably has a spouse and two children, so if they are (for example) a Carl Edwards fan and want to drive what he races; they are much more likely to purchase a Fusion over a Mustang.That's the only reason the manufactures are involved in the first place; to sale cars. It makes sense to market your most marketable vehicles in the most marketable series. That's my thoughts at least." I would definitely have to agree with that. However, it definitely gives NASCAR a bad image from outside racing fans and other sports fans who call these cars "taxicabs." Let's face it, these cars technically are used as taxicabs in cities such as New York City. While there are mny fans who use these family sedans, there are also many who would much rather get their hands on a Camaro over an SS. Many NASCAR fans appreciate the performance cars more. If they decided to run the performance cars in the Cup Series, then it would definitely help NASCAR go away from this bad image. If the manufacturers wanted to, they could even run a family sedan model and a performance model in the Cup series, thus giving the teams options. Not to mention, it would give the fans an even wider variety of cars racing on track at once. 366. The Long Shot posted: 04.17.2014 - 12:47 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) "NO NO NO NO NO. Especially to running on Friday. It may not be your belief, but the NASCAR fan base and it's drivers are overwhelming Christian. A lot of Christians, Catholics especially, object to doing anything overtly pleasurable on the day meant to memorialize the day Christ was crucified. No need to go into explaining why because someone who doesn't already see it this way probably isn't going to change their mind on the Internet, but (again) those are my thoughts." Then run a Saturday double-header instead. Call me ignorant of Christianity if you wish, but I don't see why it's okay for the NFL to play games on Christmas, but NASCAR can't run any races during Easter weekend (keep in mind that most NFL players are devout Christians as well). 367. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.17.2014 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Some very bad news for sports car fans, as Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, the team that absolutely dominated the final few years of the American LeMans Series, announced they would pull out of the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship effective immediately. 368. David posted: 04.17.2014 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It appears my initial suspicions about the expansion of Swan Racing may unfortunately turn out to be true. They issued a statement: "Swan Racing is in the process of reviewing its current situation and the ability to continue to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team. As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in position to provide a detailed update in the near future." 369. Zackary Shawn posted: 04.17.2014 - 3:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Then run a Saturday double-header instead. Call me ignorant of Christianity if you wish, but I don't see why it's okay for the NFL to play games on Christmas, but NASCAR can't run any races during Easter weekend (keep in mind that most NFL players are devout Christians as well)." In terms of Christianity, I would definitely say Easter is bigger than Christmas. Everyone is born, not everyone rises from the dead. I was specifically talking about Good Friday, though...the day the memorializes the Crucifixion. And I think it's pretty obvious why NASCAR doesn't race on Easter weekend. A 10 month schedule with only two off weekends, the Easter break provides a natural break in the action. I don't necessarily have a problem running Saturday or Easter Sunday even. Didn't Nationwide race at Nasville until fairly recently on the day before Easter? I seem to remember four drivers taking themselves out on the last lap and handing the win to Michael Waltrip back in 2004. 370. Dave #38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted: 04.17.2014 - 5:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Didn't Nationwide race at Nasville until fairly recently on the day before Easter? I seem to remember four drivers taking themselves out on the last lap and handing the win to Michael Waltrip back in 2004." I think they ran during the off-week Nascar used to have before Martinsville, or somewhere around there. I don't believe it was during Easter weekend. Honestly though, there should be a truck race or something this weekend. I get Cup needing an off week, but having all 3 National Touring series off at the same time creates a major break in momentum. The only Nascar sanctioned events this weekend are a Whelen Southern Modified series race and a few Saturday night NWAAS late model events. F1 is also racing in China Sunday morning at about 3:00 a.m. eastern time. 371. Eric posted: 04.17.2014 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I agree that the Truck series schedule is pathetic for the first 3 months of the season. The Truck Series needs to go back to 24 races or have the season end before the Nationwide or the cup series. 372. Eric posted: 04.17.2014 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am bit shocked out of Swan racing because of the announcements during the off season they did. The one thing I noticed was the speed of the cars went down for them when they turned into a 2 car team. 373. ch posted: 04.17.2014 - 5:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor change: 33 - Circle Sport 40 - Circle Sport 374. Eric posted: 04.17.2014 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There is something that I am bit surprised that no one here mentioned yet. It is Jeff Gordon already mentioned this week that he wants to race for another 10 years. I am mentioning this because of the speculation by Longshot that Kyle Larson will be taking over for Jeff Gordon. Based on the amount of years Jeff wants to race, I don't see Kyle waiting that long for the 24 ride. I expect the 24 ride to go to a person that we don't even know right now. Jeff Gordon wanting to race for another 10 years is going to hurt Hendrick long term. Dale Jr. wants to race in cup up to the age of 50 based on an interview that was done last year or the year before. When Jeff Gordon retires in 10 years, Jimmie Johnson is getting close to retire if he's not already by than either. That means Hendrick be in a major rebuilding mode when Jeff is going to retire in 10 years. 375. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.17.2014 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Some very bad news for sports car fans, as Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, the team that absolutely dominated the final few years of the American LeMans Series, announced they would pull out of the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship effective immediately." I know who the team is but i wounder why. They had a good thing going. Maybe it is the direction the series is going. I do seem too remember some media/fans/teams didn't want Grand-Am and ALMS too come together but did anyway. 376. cjs3872 posted: 04.17.2014 - 6:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For those that are bringing up the NFL now playing on Christmas in regards to comparing that to NASCAR's not racing on Easter weekend, believe it or not, back in the pre-Super Bowl era, the NFL would not play it's championship game on a Sunday, if Christmas Day fell on that Sunday. In those instances where the NFL Championship would have been played on Christmas Day, they would play it on Monday, December 26, the day after. It wasn't until 1971, when they were effectively forced to, that the NFL ever played on Christmas Day, and one of the games played was that epic between the Dolphins and Chiefs, which is still the longest pro game ever played to this day. And Eric, if that's true regarding Swan Racing, then I wonder how may other teams without major sponsors might follow, because they're not the only team with sponsorship issues. After all, some of the marquee teams are even having trouble filling out their sponsorship for the season, including that of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Roush's teams (particularly the #17 and #99). Phil Parsons' team has done well this year, and even outran a number of the big buck teams in the Southern 500, finishing on the lead lap, but that's another team that I have to wonder about, though they seem to be getting the help from Chevrolet that they didn't get from Ford and Toyota in previous years. The #32 of what's now GoFAS Racing is another case. I assume they'll be around through the end of the year, but with their situation tenuous at best, and team owner Frank Stoddard going to NBC Sports next year, I wonder how long that team will last. And speaking of the networks, I wonder how FOX will handle trying to cover the U.S. Open golf championship, starting next year. They've announced that Joe Buck, their top guy on both baseball and football, will be the lead on their U.S. Open coverage, with 2-time British Open champion Greg Norman as their color commentator (I actually think Norman's a good choice). Frankly, I'm not sure how that's going to work, but it's obvious that Joe Buck is their big event broadcaster, which is why I'm a bit surprised that FOX hasn't brought him into their Daytona 500 coverage yet. Unfortunately, they're trying to make him their equivalent to Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Al Michaels, Dick Enberg, or Pat Summerall, but he'll never even approach their status. Baseball and football are okay for Joe to be the lead commentator on because of his knowledge of both sports, but golf? 377. joey2448 posted: 04.17.2014 - 7:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Didn't Nationwide race at Nasville until fairly recently on the day before Easter? I seem to remember four drivers taking themselves out on the last lap and handing the win to Michael Waltrip back in 2004." Yeah, I was just watching that race on YouTube the other day. It was run on the day before Easter, because Jeff Hammond and Larry Mac had a goofy pre-race segment that had them running around amidst an Easter Egg Hunt with kids. And of course, the race itself came down to a shootout among four cars that ended in a big wreck on the backstretch with a lap and a half to go which involved Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Robby Gordon and Johnny Benson, and Mikey Waltrip streaked by all of 'em to take the win in the ol' Aaron's Dream Machine. And as far as Jeff Gordon racing for 10 more years, I don't think he verifiably said he'll be racing for 10 more years. It was the Larry King interview at Auto Club Speedway that he mentioned that, but the context was that Jeff was talking about running well some years and going through slumps in other years, and he said this year, his team is running well and he feels like he could run another 10 years competitively. He didn't say he IS running that much longer. 378. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.17.2014 - 8:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Swan Racing is in the process of reviewing its current situation and the ability to continue to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team. As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in position to provide a detailed update in the near future." Well Cole Whitt is at least somewhat used to doing Start-and-Parks so maybe he's going to be the fall guy. Anyway here are my predictions for what will happen by the end of the year. #44 and #77 teams: Shut Down #35: Start-and-Park #26: Start-and-Park #98: Start-and-Park #40: Probably Start-aand-Park a few events towards the end of the year #66: Probably a few Start-and-Parks also #32: Probably start-and-park Sheesh a great start to the year goes so sour so fast. From barely 1 start-and-park to potentially 6. NASCAR, you have got to do something about this. That is if they aren't already (which I still doubt) 379. murb posted: 04.17.2014 - 8:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I remember that Easter race at Nashville in 2004. It's easily one of the most underrated wild finishes of all time. 380. cjs3872 posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not only that @378, but I still doubt the future of BK Racing and their two cars, which you didn't even mention. Then, of course, you have the constant problems that Roush has been having with full-time sponsorship of two of his three Cup teams, with only the #16 car being fully sponsored, as far as I know, so we don't yet know what's going to happen there if either Biffle or Edwards leaves at season's end, and while there's no chance of the team closing, even the #88 car of Daytona 500 winner and perennial Most Popular Driver Dale, Jr. has races in which it isn't sponsored. Now we know that Michael Waltrip does want to run his third car full-time again, though exactly when that would happen is anyone's guess. I do suspect that we'll end up with about 35 teams that try to run every race by the time the season ends, but how many of those will not be back in 2015 is anyone's guess right now. Now one driver that may be in some trouble that I never thought would be in any trouble at this point is Kasey Kahne, because since the middle of last season, he has struggled, to say the least, and his struggles this season, especially his struggles on the very tracks he likes, is to me, the most confounding story of the season so far. And I think that his ride in the #5 car could be in peril if his struggles continue, and with Whitt and Kligerman possibly on the sidelines and Alex Bowman possibly on the list of some of the mid-level teams because of his performances in the #23 car this season, if Kahne doesn't get better, he could be in jeopardy of losing his ride. However, in the crazy event that he does get ousted from the #5 car (which I would put at about a 1% chance of right now), I hope that Rick Hendrick doesn't bring Chase Elliott up, because I think he needs two seasons in the NNS, despite what he's showed this season. I think a driver like Regan Smith could be a good stop-gap should that happen, especially since he's driven Hendrick's equipment before. One thing about Kyle Larson that I never thought of until just now is that he was under no real pressure to perform, unlike other highly touted rookies, simply because of what team he is driving for, because except for the early 2000s and maybe 2009-'10, Chip Ganassi's team has never been a front-line team, so if he had struggled out of the gate, it would have been very understandable because of the outfit he happens to drive for. Austin Dillon has also pleasantly surprised me, staying in the top 10 in points, especially with all the pressure he's been under, bringing the #3 back to competition in NASCAR's highest series. He hasn't wowed anyone, but he's been his usual consistent self. Another driver that has been a pleasant surprise this year, though you wouldn't know it by looking at the points standings, is A.J. Allmendinger. For that team to be in the top 20 in points (and ahead of all but one of the SHR teams in that regard) is a good story to this point in the season, because that team has been flat-out dreadful in recent seasons. I roundly criticized that team last year for releasing 2000 champion Bobby Labonte, mainly because of the method about which they did so, but that's proven to be the right decision because Allmendinger's got them in the top 20 in the standings. And of course, there's the return of Jeff Gordon to the top of the standings. Although he doesn't yet have a win (and I frankly don't know when, or if he'll win this season), Gordon's got his old consistency back, which has him at the top of the standings, just like the old days, and right behind him is Matt Kenseth, who seems to have done virtually nothing this year, yet is shadowing Gordon. However, there have been some big disappointments, the biggest and strangest of which is Kahne, who's gone MIA in 2014. While all of his teammates are in the top 5, Kahne's not even in the top 20. Another big disappointment is Roush, because while Penske and even Richard Petty Motorsports have seen the front of the field, except for a tactical decision at Las Vegas and that great night at Bristol, Roush has also gone MIA in 2014. Having their two veteran drivers, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, involved in contract negotiations certainly isn't helping them, nor is having Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. continue to underperform badly. Bristol aside, the only time we've noticed Stenhouse has been when he's been racing Danica, and he's not always been ahead of her. I wonder just how long Roush is going to tolerate Stenhouse being between 20th-25th in the standings with what was a championship-caliber team before he's forced to make a move, especially since the #17 car is not fully sponsored. I do expect the performances of the 16 and 99 cars to improve when those negotiations end, no matter what they result in, because I do think that's part of what's dragging those teams down, though it's obviously not the whole reason why they've been so far off the pace. 381. Rexrobe posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Swan Racing was done for this year with Kligerman's big wreck at Daytona - they are just now figuring it out. It's the classic situation that has been played out over and over again - a young team with limited resources takes on talented yet inexperienced drivers, who then proceed to overdrive the car in an attempt to get more out of the equipment than is there, leading to a rash of spins, crashes, and wrecks that further get the team in the hole. It's a shame because all involved seemed to have good intentions and a good amount of potential, they're just attempting a recipe that seldom works in racing. 382. AveryNH posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I recall Stremme causing a big stink saying nascar screwed him out of win or something.. I think it had to do with the timing of the caution lights. 383. AveryNH posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *Sauter not Stremme 384. Jim Davis posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:47 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "I wonder just how long Roush is going to tolerate Stenhouse being between 20th-25th in the standings with what was a championship-caliber team before he's forced to make a move, especially since the #17 car is not fully sponsored." I think the change in crew chiefs has hurt Stenhouse so the drop in performance isn't entirely on his shoulders. 385. Chad's Hair Plugs posted: 04.17.2014 - 9:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a feeling Swan will keep both teams till Talladega; hoping for the 'Front Row Miracle'. I don't know which driver will be the fall guy, but it seems that Swan Racing took on more than they can chew. "And speaking of the networks, I wonder how FOX will handle trying to cover the U.S. Open golf championship, starting next year. They've announced that Joe Buck, their top guy on both baseball and football, will be the lead on their U.S. Open coverage, with 2-time British Open champion Greg Norman as their color commentator (I actually think Norman's a good choice)....Baseball and football are okay for Joe to be the lead commentator on because of his knowledge of both sports, but golf?" From every golf tournament I've seen, the main anchor is more of a facilitator throwing it to commentators along with the lead groups and the towers throughout the course. The anchor/lead commentator mainly open the show, cover the 18th hole and do a few interviews. It'll be an easier transition for Buck then say Gus Johnson trying his hand at soccer(eek). As for racing, it'll mean that the race will be on FS1; probably Michigan or Sonoma. 386. SpeedWorld97 posted: 04.17.2014 - 10:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I know who the team is but i wounder why. They had a good thing going. Maybe it is the direction the series is going." Really for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that the P2 teams are struggling to keep pace with the DPs because IMSA royally screwed up in giving the DPs too much power. Plus, they are struggling with their new Nissan powerplant and the mandatory switch from LMP1 to LMP2; they went from being the powerhouse team in the ALMS to barely hanging on performance wise in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship. Kind of sad, really, because a majority of the fans, including myself, would much rather see the P2 cars dominate over the ugly Daytona Prototypes. 387. cjs3872 posted: 04.17.2014 - 10:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @385, I think you're confusing the lead commentator in the tower at 18 with a host of a golfing broadcast, who's job you deftly described. Unlike, say a host of a racing broadcast, if there is one, the job of the main commentator in a golf broadcast is exactly the same as a play-by-play announcer in baseball, basketball, football, etc. Sure, he has others to help him at the other holes, if they do hole announcers such as CBS does at the Masters, but there are also roving commentators that go with the final groups, as they're the ones between whom the event is usually settled. But the announce team in the tower are the ones that call the last hole, and often, the last couple of holes. But with such a substantial amount of real estate, far more than even the biggest tracks, one team can't cover it alone, so they have to have partners. But the guys calling the action from the tower at, or over the 18th hole, are the ones that actually are doing the call of the action unless there are certain commentators describing the action at a single hole. What I think may happen is that Joe Buck and Greg Norman will be in the tower at 18, while others will describe the action at the other holes or are with the final groups. What I'm interested in is who FOX will fill out their team with. I suspect they'll go with some of the current ESPN guys, who only do host shows and the British Open, since that's the only event they actually do. So it wouldn't surprise me if guys like Scott Van Pelt, who used to be an anchor for the Golf Channel when FOX owned it, Paul Azinger, and two-time U.S. Open champions Curtis Strange and Andy North, all of whom are a part of the ESPN golf team, end up on FOX's U.S. Open coverage, beginning next year. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they share coverage with ESPN, with ESPN getting the first two rounds, as has been the case since the 80s, and FOX doing the weekend coverage. It also wouldn't surprise me if they got Gary McCord and/or David Feherty from CBS. But all that is only speculation at this point. 388. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.17.2014 - 11:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Stenhouse's struggles are mainly due to Roush falling off again. Carl's having a good year, but Biffle hasn't really been in contention for any wins this year yet (though I also think Greg is on the way to backing out of his Cup career a la Geoff Bodine). Let's see how Ricky does when the #17 gets a bit of momentum on their side. If the performance is still the same by the end of this year, then I say give Trevor Bayne a shot in that car. 389. 18fan posted: 04.17.2014 - 11:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stenhouse was reunited with Mike Kelley, who he won two championships with in the Nationwide Series, and has not progressed at all. Even though all the Roush cars are slow, Stenhouse seems to be consistently the slowest one. 390. cjs3872 posted: 04.18.2014 - 12:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) You mean IF the #17 team gets momentum on their side, RCRandPenskeGuy. But I think a good part of Roush's struggles this year have to do with the fact that their two veteran drivers are both in contract negotiations, which have to be affecting their performance, whether they want to admit it or not, because it's taking away, to some degree, their attention. Biffle's age (44) certainly isn't helping him, either. And Stenhouse continues to flounder, and I'm not sure he's going to run that much better, though I think he should eventually climb to within the top 20 in the standings. But the fact that Ricky was barely able to stay in the top 20 last year, in a year when both Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin lost considerable time due to injuries, and is currently a lowly 25th after eight races, behind the likes of the #47 (A.J. Allmendinger), the #13 (Casey Mears), and BOTH Richard Petty Motorsports drivers in what was a championship-caliber car. And that's with the crew chief with whom he won 2 consecutive NNS titles. If this continues, I don't know how long Roush will be able to tolerate that before he makes a move, because except for that great second place run at Bristol, Stenhouse has not progressed, and may have even slightly regressed. After all, he's been spending quite a bit of time in the back-third of the field this year in what should be a very good car. 391. Eric posted: 04.18.2014 - 1:24 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs3872, The problem with Roush isn't all on contracts or Biffle's age. The loss of Kenseth is still hurting the organization since there is no leadership or a top notch set person as a driver although Biffle actually worked on his race cars starting out. The handling of the cars is where the race setup is a key for Roush since they are conservative on horsepower. As far as the contracts go, it sounds likes Carl Edwards contract is the bigger problem. Greg Biffle said is very close to a deal with Roush, but Carl said there is nothing to report in terms of his contract. Carl is testing the waters and Biffle isn't I'm guessing. There isn't a market for Greg in a ride like a 4th JGR team like Carl since Greg is going to be 45 in December. 392. Eric posted: 04.18.2014 - 1:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know Carl Edwards told the media there isn't any drama, but there is an issue when it appears one driver seems to be closer to a new contract than the other. If Carl leaves, Kasey Kahne could be the driver replacing Carl Edwards or Trever Bayne. I am mentioned Kasey because if Kasey's season doesn't improve, Hendrick has Chase Elliott in the wings since Chase is turning heads with his back to back Nationwide wins. If Carl leaves Roush it would be for a 4th JGR car, since Chip to is a downgrade from Roush despite how well Kyle Larson is doing. 393. murb posted: 04.18.2014 - 4:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I read on Jayski that Cole Whitt's team may be absorbed into BK Racing and end up being a third car over there. That seems kind of odd to me. BK must have more money than we think. I do agree about Ricky Stenhouse though. He absolutely isn't progressing at all, and I really thought he would this year with the Mike Kelley reunion. I don't think Roush will dump him just because he seems to be Jack's new golden boy, but I personally would love to see someone like Alex Bowman get a shot in that car. There are quite a few young guys in crappy cars that have been getting great runs this year, and meanwhile Stenhouse has been a 26th-29th place driver pretty much every week. And also, I honestly don't think Roush is that bad this year. Edwards has been solid all year, and while Biffle started slow, he's picked it up considerably in recent weeks. So yeah. Stenhouse should be improving. He has a full year with the Gen 6 under his belt, and he's also got his old NNS championship crew chief back. So I really don't see any excuse for Stenhouse to be running this horrid. 394. cjs3872 posted: 04.18.2014 - 5:53 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I never said Roush's problem was all on the contracts and/or Biffle's age, Eric. I said that was a good part of the problem because of the diversion of attention. Obviously there are other problems regarding Roush's lack of performance, and that includes a or conservative attitude on engine setups. However, I' not that the loss of Matt Kenseth is hurting them as much this year as it did last year, because they've had time to adjust. Certainly the loss of Kenseth hurts, but this is their second season without Kenseth, so it shouldn't be affecting them quite as much. However, there's another problem there that may be affecting the Cup program, and that's the Nationwide program. Having nothing but rookies there to team up with Trevor Bayne has also meant a lot of wrecked cars that have to be repaired or replaced, and that also takes quite a bit of time out of the preparation that could otherwise be used to help both programs, because they're always trying to repair torn up cars. If you just counted the Nationwide cars that Travis Pastrana, Chris Buescher, and now Ryan Reed have wrecked at Roush, I would say the number is about 25. That's an awful lot of time having to repair torn-up race cars, and that can't be helping either the Nationwide or Cup program at Roush. And also, as I said, I don't think Hendrick is going to release Kasey Kahne, even if his performance doesn't improve, but even if he did, replacing him with Chase Elliott at this stage would be a terrible idea, because I think he needs 2 years in the NNS. and unlike Kyle Larson, Chase would have all the pressure in the world on him to perform, so I think he needs a second year in the NNS before diving head-long into the Cup Series. If Hendrick did oust Kahne from the #5 car, I think they would need someone like Regan Smith to fill in as a stop-gap for one year before moving Elliott up, because the worst thing they can do is to move Elliott into such a high-profile ride too soon, and I use Joey Logano as a classic case study. He got forced into a high pressure ride before he was ready (because there was no other candidate available to replace Tony Stewart in the #20 car at JGR), and never was able to live up to the car he was driving. That's why I'm pleasantly surprised at how good Austin Dillon's doing thus far, because he has THE highest profile ride on the entire circuit, diving the #3 car at RCR (yes, higher profile than even the #24 or #48 cars at HMS). But in the case of Kyle Larson, he had very little pressure because he was inserted into a low-profile ride that was not expected to perform that well, and obviously has far exceeded expectations, just considering the car he's in. Putting Elliott in a high-profile situation before he's ready could destroy his career, just as Joey Logano's career was almost ruined by driving the #20 car before he was ready. But when Logano was hired by Roger Penske, he was put into a low-pressure situation as champion Brad Keselowski's teammate, and has outperformed his higher profile teammate for practically the entire time they've been teammates, mainly because he had very little, if any pressure on him when he got to Penske's #22, which had a terrible season in 2012, giving Brad Keselowski very little, if any support in his bid for the championship, which he won anyway. 395. Sarf52 posted: 04.18.2014 - 10:54 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Swan Racing co-owner Anthony Marlowe tweets "It is my mission to ensure Cole Whitt competes in every NASCAR Sprint Cup event this year" It appears the boys at Swan bit off a bit more than they can chew, with Kligerman essentially destroying the 30 car on a bi-weekly basis. It seems unlikely the 30 will be in the field at Richmond...guess it's time for Parker to apply for a ride at JD motorsports. It sounds to me like Whitt's car will enter joint operation between Brandon Davis and the BKR owners, and try to run the full season feeding off some BK's impressively assembled sponsorships. 396. The Long Shot posted: 04.18.2014 - 11:16 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) There is not a person in pro athletics that I feel more pity for than Parker Kligerman right now. He's a solid talent that deserves a chance at a decent Cup ride, but if the rumors about his impending release are true, this will mark the third time in his career that he's been forced out of a team because of sponsorship issues. While I do think that he'll find some sort of a ride by next year, at this point, it's becoming increasingly likely that he'll go down the path of almost every other ARCA driver from the last 10 years and fizzle out due to lack of funding. Take the hint, kids: if you want to become a great NASCAR driver, avoid ARCA at all costs. 397. Scott B posted: 04.18.2014 - 11:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I read on Jayski that Cole Whitt's team may be absorbed into BK Racing and end up being a third car over there. That seems kind of odd to me. BK must have more money than we think." Murb, I thought this was odd, too. I think the more logical thing would be for BK to hand Ryan Truex his walking papers and put Cole Whitt in that car for the rest of the season. That would all depend on what sponsors (if any) are committed to Truex vs. Whitt, though. They could also choose to field 3 cars only for certain races (they have done it a few times in the past), but I don't think doing 3 cars full time is a good plan for them. 398. 02Justin10 posted: 04.18.2014 - 2:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There are some items of conversation I just had to chime in on... One...the Swan Racing developments were actually a surprise to me. Even though Kligerman has done a lot of damage to the equipment and such this year, I though the team was okay because they made the decision to expand to two cars this season...or maybe I was just clueless. :P And then, the truck series schedule...I've hated the short 22 race schedule they have had since 2012. Of course, having less races probably helps the smaller teams because they would have to travel less and stuff like that. But as a diehard NCWTS fan- I am just not a fan of these schedules. Even with the addition of Eldora and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, I feel like the schedule is sparse and bland. The truck series used to have sooo many short track races, now all we have is Martinsville X2, Eldora, Bristol and Iowa. Also, the trucks used to run apart from the Cup series often. I just don't see how it is sooo hard for NASCAR to find 3 more tracks to bring the truck schedule back up to 25. I wish South Boston, Mansfield, Milwaukee, Memphis and of course Rockingham could get back on the truck series schedule. 399. Sean posted: 04.18.2014 - 3:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff Gordon wanting to race for another 10 years is going to hurt Hendrick long term." Meh, not really. Terry Labonte and Mark Martin's later years did nothing to hurt them, and neither would Gordon's... They have more than enough cars winning and can buy any talent they want. I think Larson is more likely to end up with Stewart-Haas long term though. I know, same effective team, right? "However, in the crazy event that he does get ousted from the #5 car (which I would put at about a 1% chance of right now), I hope that Rick Hendrick doesn't bring Chase Elliott up, because I think he needs two seasons in the NNS, despite what he's showed this season. I think a driver like Regan Smith could be a good stop-gap should that happen, especially since he's driven Hendrick's equipment before." Nah, win today. When you are not hurting for sponsorship (even if Junior has a few races unsponsored I would say Hendrick isn't) and you have a hot prospect and you're looking to replace someone, it's FAR better to choose the driver who may have a much higher ceiling than a driver who will be competent but uninspired and not live up to the caliber of the equipment. You offer Joey Logano as an example of being rushed up too quickly, but there are many, many counterexamples that aren't talked about much. Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch all became stars in Cup in their rookie seasons with one year or less Busch/Nationwide experience. I suppose you can comment on only one of those drivers having a championship, but still, if you've 'got it' - whatever that essence is that makes a great Cup driver - and you get a high-profile ride, you've got a strong chance to succeed regardless of whether you had 'enough experience' or not. Should Roush have waited and picked a mediocre veteran to replace Jeff Burton, who likely would have gotten the same results, rather than hiring Carl Edwards? Should Childress have waited and picked a stop-gap mediocre veteran to replace Dale Earnhardt, who likely would have underachieved like Skinner? Recall that like a couple days after Earnhardt's death Childress was seriously talking about people like Rick Mast, but ultimately chose Harvick. I view that as pretty analogous to you saying that if Kahne is fired Regan Smith should be his replacement instead of Chase Elliott... Smith MAY be a little better than Mast, but really I think he's the same kind of driver. Elliott MAY be worse than Harvick. There's no way of knowing. But there are too many examples of people succeeding instantly with almost no experience, probably more than there are of people succeeding instantly with multiple years of Nationwide experience. Yeah, a lot of drivers with 2 years of Nationwide experience have more polish, but they may tend to be more set in their ways as well. You know what a lot of people say about how it's easier to get a fast and inconsistent driver to settle down and eventually learn consistency than to get a consistent but mediocre driver to go faster... There are way too many examples of drivers with seemingly the requisite Busch/Nationwide credentials not living up to expectations. Martin Truex, Jr., Johnny Benson, and Joe Nemechek were all good drivers, but they definitely did less than most people would have expected based on their Busch careers. Ricky Stenhouse is another good example, and I think Austin Dillon will be in this general tier as well. Oh, they'll both probably win but neither of them will look remotely like they did in Nationwide. The ultimate best drivers tend to NOT win Nationwide titles (unless they do it while already Cup superstars). They never seemed to live up to their potential while other people with seemingly less glittering resumes (Stewart, Johnson, Hamlin) did. It's not as easy as saying two years of Nationwide experience leads to Cup success. You really can't know which drivers are actually going to develop and which won't IN ADVANCE, and I don't think there's any real trend in the amount of Nationwide experience or success needed to succeed in Cup either, aside from being developed by a marquee team. Given that, if you've got a hot prospect, win today rather than hiring someone who has already likely shown that they will never be a first-tier driver. Sure, sometimes it doesn't pay off (Logano, Atwood), but more often, I'd say it does. Having said that, I don't think Kahne should be fired, not at all, but if you're going to do it, Elliott is the obvious replacement, and Smith would just be another Ricky Craven, Joe Nemechek, Wally Dallenbach, Jerry Nadeau, etc... I mean look at how Hendrick ALREADY handled the #5 situation when Mark Martin decided he didn't want to retire after 2009. Brad Keselowski was waiting patiently (and I think most would say he was already ready) but Hendrick chose Mark Martin over him for 2010. History has proven that was the wrong decision. Sure, Martin has had the better career than Keselowski overall, title or no title, but I do think Keselowski was the better choice in 2010. Of course, that scenario IS slightly different since he had almost 3 full years of Nationwide experience. Really, if Kyle Busch was ready to drive the #5 car after only one NON-championship season in Busch, why would Chase Elliott automatically NOT be ready after one season in Nationwide, especially if he wins the championship? Elliott might flame out and only achieve about as much as Truex has, but better to give him a shot than hire a retread. I don't think Joey Logano is the rule. "the #3 car at RCR (yes, higher profile than even the #24 or #48 cars at HMS). " I'm afraid I must disagree with this as well. Sure, the #3 car was the highest-profile ride when Earnhardt was driving it, but I'd hardly say it is NOW. And I'd say he doesn't have much pressure either because nobody expects Childress to do anything after Harvick and Bowyer both left... 400. DB1995 posted: 04.18.2014 - 4:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) there are 33 nationwide races and Ryan Blaney is running 15 of them in the 22, which leaves 18 left over, minus the 2 road courses, that leaves 16 races to split between Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, so 8 races a piece, I can live with that, thats almost like what people want cup drivers to do. I just wonder who will drive the road courses, I know my first guess is Juan Montoya, but personally i would like to see Helio run a NASCAR race, I dont know why but it do. 401. Eric posted: 04.18.2014 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean, There is a big difference between Jeff Gordon in 10 years, and the two drivers you mentioned. The reason Terry and Mark didn't hurt Hendrick is because 2 of the other Hendrick drivers weren't in their late 40's or their early 50's at the same time. When you have 3 drivers in their late 40's or 50's in cup, you have to find multiple drivers to replace. In a 10 years time, 3 out of the 4 Hendrick drivers will be 49 years old or older by the end of the 2024 season. That wasn't the case with Terry Labonte, or Mark Martin when they were racing for Hendrick. Right now, Dale Jr wants to race in cup till he's 50 years old and it possible that Jimmie Johnson wants to race in his 50's also. Remember that Jimmie Johnson was born in September of 1975 and Dale Jr. was born in October of 1974 beside Jeff being born in August of 1971. What I am getting at is HMS in 10 years time could have 2 or 3 drivers retiring at the same time. That means HMS would be in a full blown rebuilding mode like RCR was going into 2002. I am mentioning RCR since the 2002 RCR had a 2nd year driver in Harvick, Robby Gordon replacing Skinner, and Jeff Green being the driver of a new team for RCR. 402. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.18.2014 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Junior wants too drive until he is 50: Will he be even competitive into his 40's? Junior has a hard time winning more than one race a year, hasn't won more than 1 race a year since 2004. If Rick wants too keep him around for that long then Junior better start bringing home the trophies. Jimmie Johnson: I personally think that if he and Chad win their 8th or 9th championships together, Jimmie will walk away and Chad will take a position pretty high up in HMS. I don't see Jimmie driving for another 10 years. Jeff Gordon: Same with Junior but i say Jeff has 3-5 good years left in him. Heck this year may just be his last too win a championship. Tony Stewert said this when he turned 40: "i know i have alot of racing left but i know now i'm the clock." Jeffs time is limited but i really don't think he'll last 10 more years. I don't want Jeff too be remembered as someone who hung on too long Kasey Kahne: I really don't know what is up with him, he won 6 races with Ray Evernhams stuff in 2006 and he hasn't come close too that since. Chase Elliot isn't ready for Cup, not by a long shot (no pun intended). Kaseys only up side too me is he only 34 years old, so he has time left. 403. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.18.2014 - 11:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You guys make good points about Stenhouse, and I certainly can't deny that he has been underperforming. I guess I can just hope that he and Mike Kelley can recreate the chemistry they had in the Nationwide Series and start performing better. I'm not a fan of Stenhouse's, but I'm hoping for some new guys to start challenging for the sake of the Cup Series. 404. cjs3872 posted: 04.19.2014 - 12:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean, the reason I say it would be a bad idea for Hendrick to move up chase Elliott is not only the fact that he'd be in Hendrick equipment, which is enough pressure as it is, but he'd also be in Hendrick's flagship car, which only adds to the pressure. And let's not forget that Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon (and Denny Hamlin, to an extent) drove for brand new teams that expanded the organization they were driving for, and not the established teams, so the pressure was less, especially for Stewart and Hamlin. Newman had run some races in the Cup Series for Penske in 2001, nearly winning at Kansas, before being given the #12 car in 2002, and the same thing was planned for Kevin Harvick at RCR in 2001, as Childress had planned to run him in his third car before making that a full-time team. The situation that Harvick got thrown into was one nobody could have been prepared for, no matter what the experience level of the driver was. Kyle Busch clearly was not ready to take over Hendrick's flagship car in 2005, and it wasn't until he got with Gibbs in 2008 that he became the Kyle Busch we know, much as what's happened with Joey Logano the last two years after he got away from Gibbs. And as for Roush putting Carl Edwards into the #99 car two-thirds of the way through the 2004 season. Roush was effectively forced into doing that, or otherwise the #99 team may very well have shut down due to lack of sponsorship, and that was a gamble that obviously paid off, but he had very little option at that time, and that only became viable when Richard Childress released Johnny Sauter, because that opened up the #30 car for Jeff Burton, which in turn opened up the #99 for Edwards. But if Hendrick did release Kahne, which again I seriously doubt would ever happen at this stage, I think Regan Smith would be a better choice right now because of his experience, though Chase would be better two years down the road. I base that not only on whether the driver is ready, but also on what car he would be getting in, and the #5 is the flagship car for Hendrick Motorsports, much like the #6 is for Roush, and he has not run the #6 since a few cameos in 2012, and based on how Stenhouse has underperformed, it's become obvious why he was not given the #6, even though he won 2 championships in the NNS with it. And yes, the #3 car is a higher profile car than even the 24, 43, or 48 cars are now, because of the legacy that was left behind when Dale, Sr. was killed at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. In fact, I'm not sure Austin Dillon would even be noticed this season, despite his tenth place points position, if he was driving any other car number than the one he currently has, because he's really done nothing to make himself stand out, but he's doing what he does best, and that is to finish races, which has him in that top ten points position, which he's had much of this young season. 405. Eric posted: 04.19.2014 - 12:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) 1995 Subaru WRX STi, Dale Jr. staying at HMS for 10 years is more than wins. Rick knows Dale Jr. brings a lot of money to his organization. Dale Jr. is going to stay at HMS as long as he brings in the cash for the organization from a money standpoint. Dale Jr. isn't slowing downing from a money standpoint and the popularity is still there with him despite going to be 40 in October. I know HMS is going to get Chase Elliott in a cup car at some point in the future and has great potential from a money standpoint that Dale Jr. brings right now, but having 2 drivers that bringing in a lot of money to a race organization is something a 3 or 4 car organization wants. I mention Chase Elliott from a money standpoint since we all know about his dad's popularity when he was a cup driver. The other thing is Kasey Kahne, not Dale Jr. is the driver that doesn't have a long future at Hendrick. While Kasey is younger than Dale Jr., he doesn't have the popularity of Dale Jr. and his contract is up before Dale's is. At some point Chase wants to be in cup and I am sure that means Dale Jr. being replaced is out the question since Dale is under contract through 2017. No Nationwide driver that appears to have the potential of Chase would want to spend 4 years in the Nationwide series unless Rick wants to relive what happened to Brad Keselowski and that is having a read cup driver going to another cup organization. 406. Rexrobe posted: 04.19.2014 - 1:13 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) To weigh in on the Roush conversation: I do not think that Roush Racing has been a good team in the last 15 years. What I mean by that is: they have had good drivers. They've had good cars, good engines, good shop people, and good sponsors. But they have never been able to hit on a good combination of all those factors at once. At the same time one driver is having a good season, the others are way out to lunch; then it's dealing with being massively over-extended with seven or eight full time cars in two series; then there's the revolving door of young drivers and crew chiefs, especially in the Nationwide team. Roush's heyday, to speak, was in the mid-1990's with Mark Martin, when all the factors were aligned and working well with multiple wins and legitimate championship contention on a yearly basis. Meanwhile, other teams have found that being leaner and smaller, with better chemistry, produces better results, such as Joe Gibbs. And now Penske (and Petty to a lesser extent) is finding out that a focused effort of only two cars with stable crews and drivers is paying dividends. What would be in Roush's best interest would be to pare back the Cup effort to two cars, maintain the R&D relationship with the Wood Brothers, and end the effort in the Nationwide series. Concentrate the resources they have on to a much smaller target and they will be hard to beat. Experience suggests that will be the least likely thing to happen. 407. murb posted: 04.19.2014 - 1:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Hendrick really is considering bringing Chase Elliott up for the 5 car next year (and with the way Chase is lighting up NNS, I'd have to imagine he is), then I think they should run Chase in a few Cup races this year. I'm pretty sure the "you can run a 5th car part time with a rookie" rule is still in effect, so they might as well take advantage of it. Ultimately, it's the only way to find out how he might fare in a Cup car. And even if the 5th car rule has been changed, HMS has plenty of satellite teams they could use. Personally, I actually wouldn't be too worried about Chase if he were rushed up. I've already seen a lot of growth from him in just a handful of NNS races, so I would imagine that he could adjust to the Cup cars fairly quickly too. If he were rushed up, I think the worst case scenario would be "Kyle Busch in the 5 car" type results for his first few years. 408. 18fan posted: 04.19.2014 - 2:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And you could do a lot worse than Kyle Busch did in the 5 car, winning a race every year and making the Chase two out of three years. 409. joey2448 posted: 04.19.2014 - 6:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "No Nationwide driver that appears to have the potential of Chase would want to spend 4 years in the Nationwide series..." ...unless your name is Trevor Bayne! lol "And yes, the #3 car is a higher profile car than even the 24, 43, or 48 cars are now, because of the legacy that was left behind when Dale, Sr. was killed at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500." Cjs, I don't think the 3 car has a higher profile than the 24 or 48 simply because it hasn't been on track for over 10 years. All fans have seen in the last decade (since Earnhardt died) are the dominant efforts of the 24 and 48 teams, as those two teams have captured seven titles in that timespan. Now obviously, the 3 car is highly regarded and deeply revered in diehard NASCAR fans' minds. But, because someone other than ol' Ironhead is driving it, it simply does not hold the same luster, even though it's the same number 3 on the door. And of course, the fact is the driver of the 3 car, Austin Dillon, races with a driving style that is far removed from the aggressive style of the Intimidator, as DSFF so often likes to point out. 410. kup posted: 04.19.2014 - 6:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) UPS - Universal Points System 2014 after 08 / 36 races UPS = Distance (Miles) /divide/ Average Finish UPS is like scoring & ranking systems in one. Indy-style Top 33 after Darlington: #CAR# Driver Miles AvFn UPS 24 Â Â Â Jeff Gordon 3176 / 7,4 = 429 * Chevy HMS 20 Â Â Â Matt Kenseth 3176 / 7,8 = 407 * Toyota JGR 99 Â Â Â Carl Edwards 3176 / 10,1 = 315 * Ford RFR 48 Â Â Â Jimmie Johnson 3172 / 11,2 = 283 * HMS-2 18 Â Â Â Kyle Busch 3173 / 11,5 = 276 * JGR-2 88 Â Â Â Dale Earnhardt, Jr, 2682 / 11,1 = 242 * HMS-3 2 Â Â Â Brad Keselowski 3158 / 14,6 = 216 * Pen-1 31 Â Â Â Ryan Newman 3174 / 14,8 = 214 * RCR-1 3 Â Â Â Austin Dillon 3174 / 14,8 = 214 * RCR-2 11 Â Â Â Denny Hamlin 2764 / 12,9 = 214 * JGR-3 22 Â Â Â Joey Logano 3132 / 14,8 = 212 * Pen-2 16 Â Â Â Greg Biffle 3149 / 16,0 = 197 * RFR-2 55 Â Â Â Brian Vickers 3151 / 16,2 = 195 * MWR-1 14 Â Â Â Tony Stewart 3105 / 16,1 = 193 * SHR-1 42 Â Â Â Kyle Larson 3074 / 16,1 = 191 * EGR-1 9 Â Â Â Marcos Ambrose 3170 / 17,1 = 185 * Pet-1 15 Â Â Â Clint Bowyer 2992 / 17,2 = 174 * MWR-1 47 Â Â Â A,J, Allmendinger 3155 / 19,0 = 166 * JTG-D 27 Â Â Â Paul Menard 2992 / 18,5 = 162 * RCR-3 1 Â Â Â Jamie McMurray 3095 / 19,8 = 156 * EGR-2 13 Â Â Â Casey Mears 3166 / 20,5 = 154 * GER 5 Â Â Â Kasey Kahne 3035 / 21,1 = 144 * HMS-4 17 Â Â Â Ricky Stenhouse, Jr, 3117 / 21,8 = 143 * RFR-3 43 Â Â Â Aric Almirola 2758 / 21,1 = 131 * Pet-2 41 Â Â Â Kurt Busch 3106 / 24,4 = 127 * SHR-2 51 Â Â Â Justin Allgaier 3145 / 25,4 = 124 * SCO 4 Â Â Â Kevin Harvick 2631 / 22,5 = 117 * SHR-3 10 Â Â Â Danica Patrick 3025 / 26,2 = 115 * SHR-4 78 Â Â Â Martin Truex, Jr, 2729 / 25,5 = 107 * FRR 38 Â Â Â David Gilliland 3079 / 28,9 = 107 * FRM-1 36 Â Â Â Reed Sorenson 3032 / 29,5 = 103 * TBR-1 34 Â Â Â David Ragan 3082 / 30,9 = 100 * FRM-2 40 Â Â Â Landon Cassill 2447 / 25,2 = 097 * Falk-1 NB: #24 Jeff have most wins over all active drivers, and he is 1st now. #20 Matt is 2nd now, right after one Chevy-HMS just like in 2013. * Just 2 drivers have 400+ UPS & Aver.Fin better than 10th. #99 Carl is best Ford as he was many times in recent years. Only he has 300+. #88 Dale is 6th, but 3rd HMS. Nuff said of Chevy & HMS power in 2014? #31 Ryan is 8th and best RCR in debut year with a new team. #3 Austin is 9th and the only rookie in Top10, but do we know a crew-chief? #11 Denny is 10th and 3rd JGR, making comeback and even the old Top10 Chase. * Top11 drivers have 200+ UPS. #16 Greg is 12th, but his Aver.Fin is ecxactly "16th". #55 Brian is 13th and best MWR, making comeback same as #11. #14 Tony is 14th, right? And best SHR car also. #42 Kyle is 15th and 1st EGR in his rookie Cup year. #9 Marcos is 16th and best Non-Am and Pettys car. #47 A.J. is 18th in his 1st full year with JTG-D. * Top20 drivers all have Aver.Fin better than 20th. #17 Ricky is 23rd and 2013 ROTY is worse than #3 & #42. #51 Justin is 26th in his rookie full year. #4 Kevin is 27th with 2 wins and much bad luck as well. #10 Danika is 28th and best and only female. #78 Martin is 29th in his 1st Denver year. * Top32 drivers all have 100+ UPS. #40 Landon is 33rd with 97 UPS, but oficially he scores only in 2014 NNS. 411. Anonymous posted: 04.19.2014 - 12:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) ^What the f*ck is this? 412. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.19.2014 - 12:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dale Jr. staying at HMS for 10 years is more than wins. Rick knows Dale Jr. brings a lot of money to his organization. Dale Jr. is going to stay at HMS as long as he brings in the cash for the organization from a money standpoint." So, Rick is only keeping him for $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and not trophies (which i think all of us know that Junior is capable of getting)? That right there depresses me. I think if Chase Elliot comes up in a few years, Junior popularity will be challenged by that kid. His dad was popular for a long time, i see Chase following his dad in that respect. 413. Anonymous posted: 04.19.2014 - 2:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Voting for the Sprint fan vote for the All Star Race has been opened. If Danica wins the fan vote, then I say we should start a petition asking NASCAR to discontinue the fan vote. Because the people who voted for Danica are NOT fans of NASCAR, but fans of her in her obscure world. 414. cjs3872 posted: 04.19.2014 - 3:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But joey2448, who's driving a certain now doesn't make whatever car he happens to drive a higher or lower profile car. The 21 and 43 are still high-profile cars, long after their best days, because of all the history attached to them. And the 24 and 48 will be high-profile rides for many years to come, no matter who drives those cars, as long as they continue to be HMS cars, simply because of what Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have achieved in them. I would tend to agree about the #3 not being such a high-profile ride if it weren't still with RCR, and if it didn't have the same italics, which I quite frankly don't like. I don't think any numbers should ever be retired by NASCAR, but RCR should have retired that particular italic for the #3. But since it's an RCR #3 with the same italics (which as I said, RCR should have retired), that becomes the highest-profile ride on the entire circuit, regardless of who drives it. It just happens to be Richard Childress' grandson, who happens to be a conservative driver, who happens to be the one driving it. 415. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.19.2014 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If Danica wins the fan vote, then I say we should start a petition asking NASCAR to discontinue the fan vote." Not going too happen. Kinda like me wanting too petition NASCAR too get rid of the fan council. Yeah, you can see the writing on the wall. 416. Jim Davis posted: 04.19.2014 - 6:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The 21 and 43 are still high-profile cars, long after their best days, because of all the history attached to them." I think you're kidding yourself here, cjs. It's the team and driver, not the number on the side. Is the 11 car a high profile ride? Yes, because it is a car fielded by JGR, an elite team, and driven by Denny Hamlin, a very successful driver. Not because the 11 car has won more races than any other car number and has been driven by many current and future Hall of Famers. Gibbs could change the number and it would still be a high profile ride that if suddenly available many drivers would consider it the chance of a lifetime to step into. If the 21 or 43 were suddenly available it's not like Carl Edwards or Greg Biffle would be jumping at the chance to drive them. 417. cjs3872 posted: 04.20.2014 - 2:37 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jim, I think you're mixing up the difference between a high-profile ride and a premium ride. The 21 and 43 cars will always be high-profile rides because of the history attached to them, but they're far from premium rides. The 11 car is a different story, because it's not the same team that garnered the #11 so much success over the years (nor would the #28 when it's eventually brought back), though it is a premium ride because of the team that now runs it, while the 21 and 43 cars are still fielded by the same teams with which they became famous. They've even restored the classic colors of both the 21 and 43 cars in recent years. So while the 21 and 43 cars are still high-profile cars, and will be as long as the Wood Brothers run the 21 and Petty runs the 43, they're not, and will likely never be premium rides again. But everyone knows who runs the 21 car, as well as the 43 car. That's what make them high-profile rides, and the same is true regarding the #3 of RCR, but whether it becomes a premium car again in future years remains to be seen. The #2 of Team Penske, #5 of HMS, and #6 of Roush (when it gets run again) are always high-profile rides because of the history attached to them, regardless of how they're running, or who's running them. 418. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.20.2014 - 2:11 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Happy Easter! 419. Jim Davis posted: 04.20.2014 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Jim, I think you're mixing up the difference between a high-profile ride and a premium ride." Cjs, I think you're defining terms as you go along. 420. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.20.2014 - 5:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Cjs, I think you're defining terms as you go along. " Garfield, you're being far worse with defining terms. Not only are obviously expecting him to blindly agree with you, but you're getting insulting and judgmental over it. 421. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.20.2014 - 11:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A sad prediction if it comes true. Short fields during the season 2013 Watkins Glenn car entry list by number #1, #2 ,#5 ,#7 ,#9 ,#10 ,#11 ,#13 ,#14 ,#15 ,#16 ,#17 ,#18 ,#19 ,#20 ,#22 ,#24 ,#27 ,#29 ,#30 ,#31 ,#32 ,#33 , #34 ,#35 ,#36 ,#38 ,#39 ,#40 ,#42 ,#43 ,#47 ,#48 ,#51 ,#52 ,#55 ,#56 ,#78 ,#83 ,#87 ,#88 ,#93 ,#99 2014 Sonoma and Watkins Glenn entry list by number (At this stage) and if Swan racing fold completely (if not add either #26 or #30 to list) #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #7, #9, #10, #11, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #20, #22, #23, #24, #27, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #36, #38, #39, #40, #41, #42, #43, #47, #48, #51, #55, #66, #78, #83, #88, #99 41 cars at Sonoma and Watkins Glenn at this stage. I think NASCAR will be making calls to Brian Keselowski Motorsports, Identity Ventures racing, Leavine Family Racing or Xxxtreme Motorsports to fill out the field. Parsons might have a Road course car and if so add the #98 to the list. This looks pretty bad. If swan fold completely NASCAR will be scrambling to avoid a short field. Has there been a short field in the history of the mandated 43? 422. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.21.2014 - 12:04 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) ^ There was a short field back in 2001 (the NHIS race Robby won i think and maybe a few races in the 90's.) Nothing mandates a 43 car field, NASCAR just uses "43 cars" as a nice decent number since most tracks hold 43 cars. Swan Racing folding would be their own damn fault. They bite off more then they could chew and are paying the price for it. I feel bad for the crew guys and shop people who are losing their jobs but i don't feel bad for the owner for going too 2 cars then they SHOULD have at 1 car. They wouldn't be were they are now. Hell why didn't they S&P the 2nd car? Use the 2nd car too make alittle extra cash on the side while focusing on your primary car. Swan Racing is where it is and it is their own damn fault. 423. AveryNH posted: 04.21.2014 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Eel River 27 With Rick Mast indeed folded following the fall Richmond race, which resulted in their withdrawal from the postponed Loudon race in November. In fact 5 drivers went to the back due to driver changes since September. The most recent time before then that I can find is the 1997 DieHard 500. 47 cars entered for 42 spots. 424. Daniel posted: 04.21.2014 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 45 entered at Richmond: -#26 & #30 of Whitt and Kligerman are on the entry list -Michael McDowell in the #95 425. startandparkfan posted: 04.21.2014 - 4:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Swan does fold in the near future, NASCAR could give money to other teams to run the full schedule. e.g. #21, #12 (Penske), #81(JGR). Hornish could run the 81, he doesn't really have a ride this year. Ryan Blaney + others could drive the 12. 426. cjs3872 posted: 04.21.2014 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @422, what happened at Loudon in 2001 when there was a 42-car field was certainly a rare instance. What happened there was that was the race that was postponed by the 9-11 attacks, so NASCAR moved it to the day after Thanksgiving to end the season. As a result, there was no qualifying, and the field was set in order of owner points after what would have been the season finale. Basically, they used the qualifying rain-out rules as they existed then to set the field for that particular race. There was also an unusual tire situation that developed that day, which Robby Gordon seemed to have a handle on, something that put him position to steal the win from Jeff Gordon (having the lapped car of Mike Wallace holding up Jeff didn't hurt, either). As for NASCAR not running a Cup race with a short field. You're right, there's obviously no rule against it, but when they did the TV contract for the 2001 season, a clause was put in requiring at least enough cars showing up to completely fill the field, or NASCAR wouldn't get half the TV money for that particular race. That's why you'll never see a short field for a Cup race for the foreseeable future. That contract stipulation does not exist for any of the other NASCAR series, so you see short fields in the NNS and Truck Series from time-to-time, but not in the Cup Series. If there is a possibility of a short field, NASCAR will likely call one (or more) of the smaller teams to enter a extra car, just to prevent the possibility of a short field so NASCAR gets the full TV money for that particular race. The races at Pocono and Sonoma are always the ones most at risk of a short field, due to when they occur, which is a part of the season when two of the major series, if not all three, are racing at different tracks, which also makes having a NASCAR traveling safety team almost impossible because you can't have one safety team being split up between two, or even three locations on the same weekend, which can happen during the summer months. But it's also for that reason why those particular races are always the ones in most jeopardy of having a short field. You not only have a shortage of teams, but on those weeks, also a shortage of potential drivers because the major NASCAR series are split during those particular weekends. 427. Scott B posted: 04.21.2014 - 7:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't expect NASCAR to offer any special incentives to get teams to fill the field. The teams that are willing to do start and parks will take up the slack as long as they know there's a guaranteed spot on the starting grid (and 43rd place money) waiting for them. It would be nice to see the #21, #12 and #81 step up their schedules, but the Swan Racing outcome won't affect those plans. The West Coast races also have a tendency not to attract a lot of entries from the smaller teams, due to the cost of travel from the Carolinas. That's why in the old days those dates would be scheduled in tandem with the Winston West series, which at the time ran cars meeting Cup specs. But yeah, if the situation really gets bleak this season, someone's back-up car will get rolled off the hauler and renumbered with whoever is approved to drive in the series turning a lap or two. The only penalty for not filing the entry form on time is not getting points, that won't matter in these cases as long as everyone gets a paycheck, so it could be done pretty last minute. 428. The Long Shot posted: 04.21.2014 - 7:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Swan Racing has officially announced that they will be shutting down following Richmond. If there's any good news at all in this, it sounds like BK Racing may be starting a third team for one of the Swan Racing drivers, or at least that was hinted at on the team's Facebook page. 429. The Long Shot posted: 04.21.2014 - 8:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I take that first part back. There has been a report released that the team will shut down following Richmond, but that has not been confirmed as of yet. What has been confirmed is that the team will only run 1 car at Richmond with Kligerman as the driver. 430. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.21.2014 - 8:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "As for NASCAR not running a Cup race with a short field. You're right, there's obviously no rule against it, but when they did the TV contract for the 2001 season, a clause was put in requiring at least enough cars showing up to completely fill the field, or NASCAR wouldn't get half the TV money for that particular race. That's why you'll never see a short field for a Cup race for the foreseeable future. That contract stipulation does not exist for any of the other NASCAR series, so you see short fields in the NNS and Truck Series from time-to-time, but not in the Cup Series. If there is a possibility of a short field, NASCAR will likely call one (or more) of the smaller teams to enter a extra car, just to prevent the possibility of a short field so NASCAR gets the full TV money for that particular race." Back then maybe but not today. NASCAR does NOT have too have a 43 car field too get full TV money, NASCAR will still get payied full bucks reguardless of how many cars are in the field. Even if that stipulation was in the current deal, the current deal is almost over, so i'm sure NASCAR isn't going too sweat having less then 43 cars on the grid for a few races. There was an intense (i word i'm not using loosely at all) debate on this very subject on another forum i'm a part of. Vast majority of folks on there, do not believe in the rule that NASCAR 'must have 43 cars in the field'. A few even brought up the TV deal. If you want, i'll find the link/s. 431. cjs3872 posted: 04.22.2014 - 1:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If that's true regarding BK Racing taking on one of the Swan Racing drivers in a third car, The Long Shot, then I guess they'll be the next team to go, along with their drivers. They're having a hard enough time even qualifying two cars, so what sense is there in running a third car if they can't even qualify two for all the races. After all, how long will Burger King and Dr. Pepper sponsor cars that you couldn't find with a GPS system, even though Burger King is part of the ownership of that team. And with the proposed engine changes for 2015 or '16, just how many of these teams will be able to survive anyway, mainly due to costs? Swan's gone, and if they go to three cars, BK Racing will likely follow, and the teams owned by Frank Stoddard, Phil Parsons, and at least one, if not both of Tommy Baldwin's teams may also bite the dust because of the coming engine changes, simply because they can't afford to make such a big change on the fly. That means as many as seven or eight cars (or as much as nearly 20% of the starting field) that started this season will likely not be around within two years, just because the cost of the coming engine changes will force them out of business, just as what happened the last time NASCAR made a major engine rules change in the early-to-mid 70s, and that was a 4-5 year process. 432. An Aussie Commentator posted: 04.22.2014 - 8:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs3872 and I see Nemco-Jay Robinson folding as well as possibly Leavine Family in 2015-2016 so prepare to see lots of short fields in NASCAR 433. murb posted: 04.23.2014 - 2:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nelson Piquet Jr has moved to the Global Rallycross series, so it sounds like he's pretty much done with Nascar. 434. cjs3872 posted: 04.23.2014 - 10:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) If that's true, @432, then that would make it as many as ten cars not making it to next year or 2016. Of course, the one thing our theories don't take into consideration is the possibility of teams expanding. Remember that Michael Waltrip wants to restart his third team full-time, and Penske is actively looking into restarting his third team, which I expect he'll do by 2016 with Ryan Blaney. And Ganassi also has room to expand, as does Roush, Richard Petty Motorsports, and even Joe Gibbs Racing, should sponsorship become available, and should they decide to do so. And of course, Childress might also bring his fourth team back within a year or two. Now obviously that wouldn't fill 10 spots, but it could fill five or six. And then there's the possibility that a team such as Furniture Row, JTG-Daugherty, or Germain, all of whom are now aligned with RCR, could expand to a second team in the future. Sure, the outlook for good full fields may look grim right now, but in two or three yeas, it might not be as bad as we think it's going to be, if any of these scenarios come to pass. 435. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.23.2014 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Swan Racing has shut down effective immediately. The #26 car is now owned by BK Racing with Cole Whitt still remaining the driver. The #30 is now owned by Xxxtreme Motorsports with J.J. Yeley driving. Both cars will remain managed and staffed by the former employees and crews from Swan Racing as part of both deals. 436. DB1995 posted: 04.23.2014 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Good job by the owner of Swan racing to keep both teams alive, even if they arent ran by him 437. The Long Shot posted: 04.23.2014 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And in the meantime, despite showing more potential than Whitt ever has in a lower series ride, Parker Kligerman is out of a ride. Hopefully that will be remedied before season's end. 438. 1995 Subaru WRX STi posted: 04.23.2014 - 7:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A little update: NASCAR wanted too reduce horsepower on the engies isn't for the quality of racing, NASCAR wants the engines too last atleast 2 races before a re-build is needed. David Moody even said this has been discussed for while now. NASCAR wants too back the power off enough too make the motors last atleast 2 races. NASCAR does this in Trucks and N'wide, so it would make sense for Cup as well. I'm ok with this idea, i just laugh at the "50-150hp less will effect the racing" stuff. This will in effect save money, which will be spent else where. Because that is what owner do. 439. murb posted: 04.23.2014 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That XXXTreme team chose Yeley over Kligerman? Sure, Yeley was probably already scheduled to run races for them, but to me it seems like a no brainer. Give me a young up and comer with tons of potential (Kligerman) over a career backmarker (Yeley) any day. 440. The Long Shot posted: 04.23.2014 - 7:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That XXXTreme team chose Yeley over Kligerman? Sure, Yeley was probably already scheduled to run races for them, but to me it seems like a no brainer. Give me a young up and comer with tons of potential (Kligerman) over a career backmarker (Yeley) any day." My guess is they just wanted to honor Yeley's contract with them. Besides, I'd almost rather he go back to ARCA than drive for that shitbox of a team. 441. murb posted: 04.23.2014 - 7:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, hopefully Kligerman can at least get a few races in a good ride. Maybe he could hop onto a few NNS races with JGR or something. He has the Kyle Busch connection from his time at KBM, and I also saw that JGR is running Daniel Suarez and Bubba Wallace in upcoming races in the #20 car. So maybe he can get a few rides in that car if they choose to have some more young guys fill out the non Kenseth races. 442. jabber1990 posted: 04.23.2014 - 10:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) " And then there's the possibility that a team such as Furniture Row, JTG-Daugherty, or Germain, all of whom are now aligned with RCR, could expand to a second team in the future." does Barney Visser have an additional $20M to spend on building a second car? or will he have to bring in a "Foreign" sponsor? I wonder if Ashley Furniture will be allowed on FURNITURE ROW car could Kligerman step away from the cup series and withdrawal from the Rookie race and try again on a later date? I hate to see that, but it COULD have a better result I don't want Edwards to do the #81 at JGR, Kyle will drive like Ricky Bobby/Kyle Busch to get attention from Gibbs, I don't know what will happen to Denny. I think Carl likes being a spokesman for Ford 443. jabber1990 posted: 04.23.2014 - 11:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) oh, and if Carl goes to JGR, then he'll run some Nationwide races, now Kenseth, Hamlin and Carl sharing a ride, which solves NOTHING, now you have probably the Third/4th Best Nationwide car being driven by a PROVEN Nationwide champion, who won races in the best car in the series 444. joey2448 posted: 04.24.2014 - 1:51 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Surprised no one's mentioned this yet, but Daniel Suarez will be making his Nationwide debut this Friday night at Richmond, driving the Gibbs #20 Toyota. 445. 18fan posted: 04.24.2014 - 12:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) And Darrell Wallace Jr will drive the #20 NNS car at Talladega next week. 446. NicoRosbergFan posted: 04.24.2014 - 12:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) After this week, the #30 will switch to #44 for the remainder of the season. 447. cjs3872 posted: 04.24.2014 - 7:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) As I stated jabber1990, any of those teams (JTG-Daugherty, Germain, and Furniture Row) could add a second car in the future, but I never said when in the future they might do it. Obviously, they don't seem to have the resources to do it in the near future, but four or five years down the road, I could see them running another car. After all, Tommy Baldwin doesn't have near the resources as they do, and he's running two cars. And let's not forget that Furniture Row did run two cars several years ago in some races, so it wouldn't be like they've never done that before. But Carl Edwards going to JGR would be an absolutely horrendous idea for JGR. After all, he's had numerous run-ins with both Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth, and although he respects both Busch and Kenseth, especially Kenseth from their days as teammates at Roush, there's no love lost between Edwards and either Busch or Kenseth, so teaming those three together would he a horrendous idea, even for someone with the skill of mixing in multiple personalities within a team as Joe Gibbs, and I think that combination might destroy JGR from within. And in addition to that, JGR has never had all three of it's cars performing at a high level since they went to a 3-car team in 2005. One of those cars has either been significantly ahead of the other two, or significantly behind the other two, but in the 10 years that JGR has had a 3-car team, never have all three of them performed at a high level at the same time. So going to four cars would be a terrible idea for them from that standpoint, as well. Not to mention that it wouldn't be good for Edwards either, because he'd be going from the obvious #1 at Roush (although that's not saying a whole lot, considering who the other two drivers with Roush's Cup team currently are) to no better than the #3 driver at JGR behind Kenseth and Busch. And if Roush loses Carl Edwards, he would have almost nothing in the Cup Series, which could mean the end for his team as a viable entry in the Cup Series. So Carl Edwards leaving Roush and going to JGR would be a REALLY bad idea for all three parties involved, Edwards, JGR, and Roush, and could even signal the beginning of the end for Roush in NASCAR's highest series, which would be terrible for both Roush and Ford. 448. 02Justin10@gmail.com posted: 04.25.2014 - 1:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A Tornado Watch is now in effect for Richmond. Even though Richmond is just on the northern part, several thunderstorms have popped up down in North Carolina and will probably move north and cross over into south and central Virginia during the afternoon. And the cold front is still off to the west, with plentiful rain with it. It's not looking too good for getting Nationwide or Cup qualifying in this afternoon. But this weather could all move out by 8pm, giving NASCAR time to dry the track and run the NNS race later tonight. 449. startandparkfan posted: 04.25.2014 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just wondering, will the proposed horsepower limitation have any effect on if restrictor plates are still used at Daytona and Talladega? 450. kup posted: 04.26.2014 - 7:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Weird stats? After 8 races shy #40-LC car has Aver.Fin 25.2 while scoring not Cup but Wide pts. But 25.2 is actually better than some not-so-shy cars like: #51-JA 25.4, #78-MT 25.5, #10-DP 26.2. A bit weird and funny that all 3: JA, MT, DP had more luck in Wide in past seasons. Aha? 451. Alex posted: 04.03.2016 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor update: #66 Dustin Johnson Foundation (not Justin) 452. Rich posted: 12.08.2020 - 9:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip were the commentators. Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Krista Voda were the pit road reporters. Jeff Hammond was the roving reporter. Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip were in the Hollywood hotel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: