Note: This was originally posted March 30, 2007.
I don't want to say that Michael Waltrip is the primary spokesman for Toyota. There are other teams participating in Toyota's entry to Cup racing. Red Bull and Bill Davis to be exact. But when you think about Toyota in Nextel Cup racing, who do you think about?
Fact is, Michael has most of the commercials on tv. Mikey IS the spokesman for Toyota on tv. Or he was. I watched all the practice and qualifying on tv today, and I can't remember seeing a single Michael commercial. Toyota may have pulled the plug on that. And with good reason. Michael Waltrip Racing got two cars into the field at Martinsville today, but Mike was not among them, again.
Michael is still minus 27 or 25 points down in the points standing, depending on which website you read.
What should Mikey do? Should he continue to race or should he put someone else in the car? Right now he's not doing much racing. Since Daytona, Michael has failed to qualify for every single race. Does Mike have any development drivers on the horizon? I don't know. If he does, I don't know about anyone.
My answer? I say bring in Mike Skinner. Put Skinner in the car, see if he can qualify it. If he can't, send him home. But if he can, let's see what he can do. Mikey, it might be time to give up driving. You can't get the job done driving, these days, but you can still be a sponsor's dream.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Gentleman Jeff (Burton)
Note: This was originally posted March 27, 2007.
This week my hat's off (oops, let me find it and put it on first.... There!) to Jeff Burton, driver of the 31 Cingular Chevy. Jeff could have won the race at Bristol on Sunday, but he didn't. He could have caused a spectacular finish, spinning out the leader, Kyle Busch and going on for the win. But he didn't.
In a way, I was a bit disappointed in ole Jeff, but after thinking about it, I have to admire the younger brother of one of my favorite drivers, Ward. Getting away from the topic, but you're probably asking, why do I like Ward Burton? It's real simple. I love listening to him talk. I'm a Southerner by birth as well, and I'm sure my accent would turn some people's heads in certain parts of the country, but Ward has that wonderful South Virginia drawl that, to me at least, is the best thing since Bill Elliot. (I like Elliot and Hermie Sadler for the same reasons!)
Getting back to Jeff, I watched several times the attempted pass with less than a lap to go on Sunday. Jeff drove with such precision, I don't think the world's best surgeon could have put a scalpel blade between the two cars, but Jeff never touched Kyle. That, my friends, was precision driving.
Jeff Burton has been around a long time, has won quite a few races, and has to be one of the truly good people in this world. Jeff's beneficiary in this case, Kyle Busch, is widely known for his aggressive driving style. If the tables had been reversed, I imagine that we would have seen the spectacular last lap wreck. Jeff Burton's in the wall! Kyle Busch wins!
I preferred the finish we did have. Jeff made an incredible outside move on Jeff Gordon right after the restart. Burton isn't a cautious driver, but he's a very careful and precise driver. More than that, Jeff Burton is a very courteous driver. I think that quite a few of the other drivers out there Sunday could learn a few lessons from Jeff Burton.
Especially the eventual winner of the race.
If you'd like to comment on anything I write, please don't hesitate to contact me at Kf4mgz@yahoo.com I can't promise that I'll answer every e-mail, but I will read them all, and any criticism, good or bad, I will take to heart.
This week my hat's off (oops, let me find it and put it on first.... There!) to Jeff Burton, driver of the 31 Cingular Chevy. Jeff could have won the race at Bristol on Sunday, but he didn't. He could have caused a spectacular finish, spinning out the leader, Kyle Busch and going on for the win. But he didn't.
In a way, I was a bit disappointed in ole Jeff, but after thinking about it, I have to admire the younger brother of one of my favorite drivers, Ward. Getting away from the topic, but you're probably asking, why do I like Ward Burton? It's real simple. I love listening to him talk. I'm a Southerner by birth as well, and I'm sure my accent would turn some people's heads in certain parts of the country, but Ward has that wonderful South Virginia drawl that, to me at least, is the best thing since Bill Elliot. (I like Elliot and Hermie Sadler for the same reasons!)
Getting back to Jeff, I watched several times the attempted pass with less than a lap to go on Sunday. Jeff drove with such precision, I don't think the world's best surgeon could have put a scalpel blade between the two cars, but Jeff never touched Kyle. That, my friends, was precision driving.
Jeff Burton has been around a long time, has won quite a few races, and has to be one of the truly good people in this world. Jeff's beneficiary in this case, Kyle Busch, is widely known for his aggressive driving style. If the tables had been reversed, I imagine that we would have seen the spectacular last lap wreck. Jeff Burton's in the wall! Kyle Busch wins!
I preferred the finish we did have. Jeff made an incredible outside move on Jeff Gordon right after the restart. Burton isn't a cautious driver, but he's a very careful and precise driver. More than that, Jeff Burton is a very courteous driver. I think that quite a few of the other drivers out there Sunday could learn a few lessons from Jeff Burton.
Especially the eventual winner of the race.
If you'd like to comment on anything I write, please don't hesitate to contact me at Kf4mgz@yahoo.com I can't promise that I'll answer every e-mail, but I will read them all, and any criticism, good or bad, I will take to heart.
This one goes out to all the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fans!
Note: This was originally posted March 19, 2007.
Sorry for not writing anything in so long, but I really couldn't think of anything to say that hadn't already been said. Las Vegas and Atlanta are done, and now we look forward to Bristol and the debut of the Car Of Tomorrow! (cue the echo, please!)
Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson for squeezing Tony Stewart into the wall and spoiling his victory. Congratulations to Nascar for throwing the yellow flag when it was most advantageous to Jimmie and his half owner, Jeff, and allowing Hendrick to shine once again.
Now that all of that is out of the way, let me say Congratulations to Dale Earnhardt, Jr, Martin Truex Jr., and Paul Menard. All the DEI guys finished this week after 500 miles of hard, fast racing. Atlanta is still considered the fastest track on the circuit, and all of these cars reach speeds of 200 mph plus at the end of the straights. Folks, that's wide open, foot in the firewall racing! There were no DEI engine failures this weekend.
There were, however, engine failures for both Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. Kevin Harvick, who drives the 29 Chevrolet for RCR, went down a cylinder with about 50 or more laps to go. Kevin finished the race, but obviously was not very competitive with the other cars running on all 8. Scott Riggs, who drives the 10 Dodge for Ray Evernham, blowed up real good, as we say here in the south.
After 4 races, ex-Daytona champ Michael Waltrip is still mired at an unbelievable -27 points. Toyota, obviously, is rejoicing.
Back to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He ran in the top 10 nearly all day, after starting 22nd. His team adjusted on the car all day, and except for an unfortunate adjustment on the last pit stop, coupled with a very slow pit stop, could have been easily in the top 5. Dale Jr. had the ability to pass cars all day, even though the car was far from perfect. Dale Jr. eventually finished 14th.
Has Dale Jr.'s season gone all to heck? I don't think so. Last week Dale Jr. got a disappointing 11th after what could have easily been a top 10 run when he went into the pit prematurely. He didn't realize pit road was closed, and it's that simple. It was a mistake that cost him probably 5 positions. This week, reportedly, a pit member caused him a slow pit stop by slipping while servicing the car. Dale Jr.'s comment afterward was that he was "frustrated".
Frustration not withstanding, Dale Jr. did not hesitate to praise his pit crew. I think that was only fitting since he, the driver, basically cost them positions at Las Vegas. It's true that spotter Steve Hmeil, and even Tony Eury Jr., the crew chief should have told him in advance that pit road was closed, but nobody said anything, relying on the driver, who apparently didn't have enough to do, was capable of figuring that out for himself.
All I'm saying is that this season is only 4 races old, and so far Jr. has finished the last 2. Not a great percentage, of course, but the important thing is that Jr. has finished the LAST TWO! Two weeks without blown engines or wrecks. Two weeks without having to go home early. Two weeks of advancing himself in points. In other words, the team, and Dale Jr. have done their jobs.
True Dale Jr. fans need to support Dale Jr. and not pick apart every mistake, every miscall, or even every dirty look. The 8 team is committed to winning not only races, but winning the Nextel Cup.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. is getting better.
The last 2 race results show it.
If you like Dale Jr., get behind him. Don't stand in his way.
Sorry for not writing anything in so long, but I really couldn't think of anything to say that hadn't already been said. Las Vegas and Atlanta are done, and now we look forward to Bristol and the debut of the Car Of Tomorrow! (cue the echo, please!)
Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson for squeezing Tony Stewart into the wall and spoiling his victory. Congratulations to Nascar for throwing the yellow flag when it was most advantageous to Jimmie and his half owner, Jeff, and allowing Hendrick to shine once again.
Now that all of that is out of the way, let me say Congratulations to Dale Earnhardt, Jr, Martin Truex Jr., and Paul Menard. All the DEI guys finished this week after 500 miles of hard, fast racing. Atlanta is still considered the fastest track on the circuit, and all of these cars reach speeds of 200 mph plus at the end of the straights. Folks, that's wide open, foot in the firewall racing! There were no DEI engine failures this weekend.
There were, however, engine failures for both Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. Kevin Harvick, who drives the 29 Chevrolet for RCR, went down a cylinder with about 50 or more laps to go. Kevin finished the race, but obviously was not very competitive with the other cars running on all 8. Scott Riggs, who drives the 10 Dodge for Ray Evernham, blowed up real good, as we say here in the south.
After 4 races, ex-Daytona champ Michael Waltrip is still mired at an unbelievable -27 points. Toyota, obviously, is rejoicing.
Back to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He ran in the top 10 nearly all day, after starting 22nd. His team adjusted on the car all day, and except for an unfortunate adjustment on the last pit stop, coupled with a very slow pit stop, could have been easily in the top 5. Dale Jr. had the ability to pass cars all day, even though the car was far from perfect. Dale Jr. eventually finished 14th.
Has Dale Jr.'s season gone all to heck? I don't think so. Last week Dale Jr. got a disappointing 11th after what could have easily been a top 10 run when he went into the pit prematurely. He didn't realize pit road was closed, and it's that simple. It was a mistake that cost him probably 5 positions. This week, reportedly, a pit member caused him a slow pit stop by slipping while servicing the car. Dale Jr.'s comment afterward was that he was "frustrated".
Frustration not withstanding, Dale Jr. did not hesitate to praise his pit crew. I think that was only fitting since he, the driver, basically cost them positions at Las Vegas. It's true that spotter Steve Hmeil, and even Tony Eury Jr., the crew chief should have told him in advance that pit road was closed, but nobody said anything, relying on the driver, who apparently didn't have enough to do, was capable of figuring that out for himself.
All I'm saying is that this season is only 4 races old, and so far Jr. has finished the last 2. Not a great percentage, of course, but the important thing is that Jr. has finished the LAST TWO! Two weeks without blown engines or wrecks. Two weeks without having to go home early. Two weeks of advancing himself in points. In other words, the team, and Dale Jr. have done their jobs.
True Dale Jr. fans need to support Dale Jr. and not pick apart every mistake, every miscall, or even every dirty look. The 8 team is committed to winning not only races, but winning the Nextel Cup.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. is getting better.
The last 2 race results show it.
If you like Dale Jr., get behind him. Don't stand in his way.
What can we expect this weekend?
Note: This was originally posted March 7, 2007.
In a way, the Nascar Nextel Cup 2007 season is starting over again. We're at a new track, basically, since LVMS has been totally redone with new banking and pavement. We're going to see new tires, new gasoline, new engines, and basically everything but the Car Of Tomorrow, which will debut at Bristol.
After the NBS race in Mexico City, we're probably all wondering if Juan Pablo Montoya will translate his first Nascar win into a hot streak that carries over into the Cup. Confidence can be a great thing, but there's very little in common with the road course in Mexico City, and the lighter, underpowered cars of the Busch Series and the new unknown, which is Las Vegas, and the heavier fire-breathing beasts which are Nextel Cup cars. Personally, I don't see JPM's Mexican Triumph carrying over to the 1.5 mile high banked oval this weekend.
Probably the biggest question is whether or not DEI has solved their engine problems. I wish I had an answer for that, but I suppose only time will tell. DEI is at a crossroads this weekend, and the outcome of this weekend's racing will probably set the stage for the rest of the season for Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Paul Menard (who's not a Jr. as far as I know. It's a shame, they could really have a monopoly going on Jr.'s if Paul was one too!).
Another question is Tony Stewart. After 2 races in a row of being penalized for speeding on pit road, does Tony have enough points left on his license to finish the Las Vegas race? And what about Jimmie Johnson? How can Nascar's current reigning champ face the world when he's out of the top 10 for the first time in about 3 years? For Shame!
Jeff Gordon is still stuck at 75 wins in Cup so far this year. When will Boy Wonder shut up all those pesky Earnhardt fans once and for all? 75 wins is a great thing, but how many more are there left in the Rainbow Warrior? How many championships are left? Time keeps on ticking, ticking.... Jeff is only one away from tying Dale Earnhardt for total wins, but he's still 3 championships away from tying him and the King, Richard Petty for all time championships. Jeff will probably eclipse Earnhardt in total wins, but I think that the championship total will be hard to beat. Jeff's still a relatively young man, but his chances of being the Prince of Nascar fade a little more every year. He's had a fantastic career, and that can never be denied though. Jeff probably has at least about 5 more truly competitive years left in him, and I imagine that he'll eventually win 80-85 races, but I just don't see him eclipsing Dale Earnhardt or Richard Petty in total championships. As a spokesman for Nascar, Gordon has been Hollywood perfect, but to a Nascar purist, he leaves a lot to be desired. Enough said, ok? I should have shut up about that way before now!
Kasey Kahne, if he wins Sunday, could continue his record pace that he started last year. This young driver has impressed me more than anyone else in 2006. The other driver that impressed me, obviously, was Denny Hamlin. I hope Denny doesn't suffer any major sophomore woes like so many other drivers have experienced.
In Las Vegas, you can't forget the Busch brothers. They love playing before a hometown crowd, and I really wouldn't be surprised if one of them won on Sunday. I'm guessing Kyle, but could be Kurt. Just a feeling I have at the moment, but I'd almost bet that at least both will be competitive. A 1-2 finish before the hometown crowd would be story book, wouldn't it?
In a way, the Nascar Nextel Cup 2007 season is starting over again. We're at a new track, basically, since LVMS has been totally redone with new banking and pavement. We're going to see new tires, new gasoline, new engines, and basically everything but the Car Of Tomorrow, which will debut at Bristol.
After the NBS race in Mexico City, we're probably all wondering if Juan Pablo Montoya will translate his first Nascar win into a hot streak that carries over into the Cup. Confidence can be a great thing, but there's very little in common with the road course in Mexico City, and the lighter, underpowered cars of the Busch Series and the new unknown, which is Las Vegas, and the heavier fire-breathing beasts which are Nextel Cup cars. Personally, I don't see JPM's Mexican Triumph carrying over to the 1.5 mile high banked oval this weekend.
Probably the biggest question is whether or not DEI has solved their engine problems. I wish I had an answer for that, but I suppose only time will tell. DEI is at a crossroads this weekend, and the outcome of this weekend's racing will probably set the stage for the rest of the season for Martin Truex Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Paul Menard (who's not a Jr. as far as I know. It's a shame, they could really have a monopoly going on Jr.'s if Paul was one too!).
Another question is Tony Stewart. After 2 races in a row of being penalized for speeding on pit road, does Tony have enough points left on his license to finish the Las Vegas race? And what about Jimmie Johnson? How can Nascar's current reigning champ face the world when he's out of the top 10 for the first time in about 3 years? For Shame!
Jeff Gordon is still stuck at 75 wins in Cup so far this year. When will Boy Wonder shut up all those pesky Earnhardt fans once and for all? 75 wins is a great thing, but how many more are there left in the Rainbow Warrior? How many championships are left? Time keeps on ticking, ticking.... Jeff is only one away from tying Dale Earnhardt for total wins, but he's still 3 championships away from tying him and the King, Richard Petty for all time championships. Jeff will probably eclipse Earnhardt in total wins, but I think that the championship total will be hard to beat. Jeff's still a relatively young man, but his chances of being the Prince of Nascar fade a little more every year. He's had a fantastic career, and that can never be denied though. Jeff probably has at least about 5 more truly competitive years left in him, and I imagine that he'll eventually win 80-85 races, but I just don't see him eclipsing Dale Earnhardt or Richard Petty in total championships. As a spokesman for Nascar, Gordon has been Hollywood perfect, but to a Nascar purist, he leaves a lot to be desired. Enough said, ok? I should have shut up about that way before now!
Kasey Kahne, if he wins Sunday, could continue his record pace that he started last year. This young driver has impressed me more than anyone else in 2006. The other driver that impressed me, obviously, was Denny Hamlin. I hope Denny doesn't suffer any major sophomore woes like so many other drivers have experienced.
In Las Vegas, you can't forget the Busch brothers. They love playing before a hometown crowd, and I really wouldn't be surprised if one of them won on Sunday. I'm guessing Kyle, but could be Kurt. Just a feeling I have at the moment, but I'd almost bet that at least both will be competitive. A 1-2 finish before the hometown crowd would be story book, wouldn't it?
I love Message Boards!
Note: This was originally posted on March 4, 2007.
The above photo has as much to do with what I'm about to talk about as motorcycles have with race cars. Which, basically isn't much. I like this bike though. It was built by Orange County Choppers in Orange County (strangely enough) New York. I love the OCC guys and watch all the American Chopper shows which is now featured on The Learning Channel. (NO, they're NOT paying me to say that.)
I read a lot of message boards every day. Some of you know me on the one that I sometimes post on. But I read a lot of them, every day, especially on race day. I like to do that because I want to know what the average Nascar thinks, if there is such a thing as an average fan.
Juan Pablo Montoya won the Busch Series Race in Mexico City today. In the process, he got into his team mate Scott Pruett and basically knocked him out of the race. If not that, then at least contention for a win. It was JPM's first win in Nascar, in stock cars, in other words.
On one message board, I read a diatribe about how Hispanics, and Juan Pablo Montoya in particular, are stealing all our jobs, and that if you are a REAL AMERICAN, then this is basically bad for the sport.
I also read on another board how this just shows that guys racing for the lead hitting other cars constitutes proof, I say PROOF, that Nascar fixes races. The race happened in Mexico, for cripes sakes, and of COURSE Nascar wanted a Mexican to win! (Montoya is Colombian, by the way.)
On yet another board, I read how Montoya was in this country illegally, and that he should be deported.
While it's entirely possibly to take all of these comments seriously, and some did, I find it all completely laughable. Juan Pablo came here to race stock cars, and to be good at it. He succeeded, at least in the Busch series, and at a road course at that. I have my doubts about JPM's ability on the circle tracks. Road courses are his bread and butter, and most Nascar stock car races are not run on road courses.
For the time being, I see Juan Pablo as being formidable on the road courses, but no more than that. I may be wrong, but I think there is a certain art to driving circle tracks. JPM is learning, and will most likely win his share of races in time on these tracks.
2007 will see probably more JPM failures than successes, but I wish him well all the same.
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On a side note, thanks for over 1,500 page views. I hope you all continue to check out this site and that I'll eventually be able to entertain you! Thanks again!
The above photo has as much to do with what I'm about to talk about as motorcycles have with race cars. Which, basically isn't much. I like this bike though. It was built by Orange County Choppers in Orange County (strangely enough) New York. I love the OCC guys and watch all the American Chopper shows which is now featured on The Learning Channel. (NO, they're NOT paying me to say that.)
I read a lot of message boards every day. Some of you know me on the one that I sometimes post on. But I read a lot of them, every day, especially on race day. I like to do that because I want to know what the average Nascar thinks, if there is such a thing as an average fan.
Juan Pablo Montoya won the Busch Series Race in Mexico City today. In the process, he got into his team mate Scott Pruett and basically knocked him out of the race. If not that, then at least contention for a win. It was JPM's first win in Nascar, in stock cars, in other words.
On one message board, I read a diatribe about how Hispanics, and Juan Pablo Montoya in particular, are stealing all our jobs, and that if you are a REAL AMERICAN, then this is basically bad for the sport.
I also read on another board how this just shows that guys racing for the lead hitting other cars constitutes proof, I say PROOF, that Nascar fixes races. The race happened in Mexico, for cripes sakes, and of COURSE Nascar wanted a Mexican to win! (Montoya is Colombian, by the way.)
On yet another board, I read how Montoya was in this country illegally, and that he should be deported.
While it's entirely possibly to take all of these comments seriously, and some did, I find it all completely laughable. Juan Pablo came here to race stock cars, and to be good at it. He succeeded, at least in the Busch series, and at a road course at that. I have my doubts about JPM's ability on the circle tracks. Road courses are his bread and butter, and most Nascar stock car races are not run on road courses.
For the time being, I see Juan Pablo as being formidable on the road courses, but no more than that. I may be wrong, but I think there is a certain art to driving circle tracks. JPM is learning, and will most likely win his share of races in time on these tracks.
2007 will see probably more JPM failures than successes, but I wish him well all the same.
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On a side note, thanks for over 1,500 page views. I hope you all continue to check out this site and that I'll eventually be able to entertain you! Thanks again!
Testing the COT
Note: This was originally posted March 1, 2007.
Hello, and Thanks again for reading what's on my mind. The COT is fortunately something that I had much experience with, earlier in my life, So I feel I can speak frankly on this.
Oh, not that COT? Ooops. Wow do I feel like a fool now. COT apparently stands for Car Of Tomorrow, which Nascar Nextel Cup teams will be racing for the very first time at Bristol. Many people, both inside and outside of Nascar have designated the car as ugly. I have a slightly different opinion. I think the car represents 2008 in Nascar, whether we like them or not. The so-called Car of Tomorrow is here to stay, because Nascar says it is. That doesn't mean that it won't be refined, re-tested, and re-done, but it's here, and it's what we've got.
A ton of drivers tested the COT yesterday at Bristol. Many drivers had great things to say about it, but a few didn't. I wasn't there, so I'm just guessing here, but I think that whether the drivers like it or not, he's here to stay. Nascar has decreed so, in it's infinite wisdom.
I've seen some cars on the street that look a bit like these exciting new Cars of Tomorrow. You probably have too. A Honda, or Nissan, or Toyota, or maybe even a Mitsubishi with a whale tale rear spoiler and something approaching a front air dam on the front. Nascar calls the front piece a 'splitter', which is good, because we certainly wouldn't want to offend any dam people.
From what I hear, the COT will actually be safer, which I'm all for. I don't know if it will be any fast or more competitive, but at least it will supposedly be safer, and I can't argue with that logic. Let's hope that we don't hear of any deaths associated with the COT.
Nascar will issure the splitter and the wing, apparently. More parts of cars will now be mandated by Nascar. I don't know that I like that, but hey, if you want to play, you got to pay. Before it's over with, will Nascar just issue complete cars as does IROC? I wonder.
Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of the COT, but I know the signs. Get used to it, because it's here to stay, like it or not.
Hello, and Thanks again for reading what's on my mind. The COT is fortunately something that I had much experience with, earlier in my life, So I feel I can speak frankly on this.
Oh, not that COT? Ooops. Wow do I feel like a fool now. COT apparently stands for Car Of Tomorrow, which Nascar Nextel Cup teams will be racing for the very first time at Bristol. Many people, both inside and outside of Nascar have designated the car as ugly. I have a slightly different opinion. I think the car represents 2008 in Nascar, whether we like them or not. The so-called Car of Tomorrow is here to stay, because Nascar says it is. That doesn't mean that it won't be refined, re-tested, and re-done, but it's here, and it's what we've got.
A ton of drivers tested the COT yesterday at Bristol. Many drivers had great things to say about it, but a few didn't. I wasn't there, so I'm just guessing here, but I think that whether the drivers like it or not, he's here to stay. Nascar has decreed so, in it's infinite wisdom.
I've seen some cars on the street that look a bit like these exciting new Cars of Tomorrow. You probably have too. A Honda, or Nissan, or Toyota, or maybe even a Mitsubishi with a whale tale rear spoiler and something approaching a front air dam on the front. Nascar calls the front piece a 'splitter', which is good, because we certainly wouldn't want to offend any dam people.
From what I hear, the COT will actually be safer, which I'm all for. I don't know if it will be any fast or more competitive, but at least it will supposedly be safer, and I can't argue with that logic. Let's hope that we don't hear of any deaths associated with the COT.
Nascar will issure the splitter and the wing, apparently. More parts of cars will now be mandated by Nascar. I don't know that I like that, but hey, if you want to play, you got to pay. Before it's over with, will Nascar just issue complete cars as does IROC? I wonder.
Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of the COT, but I know the signs. Get used to it, because it's here to stay, like it or not.
The Answer, My Friend, Is Blowing in the Wind.
Note: This was originally posted on February 25th, 2007.
The photograph you see above is not Dale Earnhardt Jr. doing a burnout after a victory. The picture actually shows Dale Jr.'s final moments in the California race today. Before Dale Jr. went out with a blaze of glory, his team mate, Martin Truex Jr.'s engine also expired. Dale actually blew up once before, about 40-50 laps before the real smoke began.
I've read a lot today about how Nascar is using unleaded gasoline for the first time today. Lead in gasoline acts as a lubricant, and the lack of lead obviously means that the fuel all the cars used today is a little less slippery. Dale Earnhardt Inc. was not the only team with engine woes today, as we saw with Kasey Kahne, and to a lesser extent with Dave Blaney. Apparently Blaney's problem originated from the loss of the belt which drives the oil pump on his engine, so it's debatable as to whether he experienced the same problems that the DEI drivers and Kasey Kahne experienced.
One DEI driver, rookie Paul Menard did finish the race, finishing a respectable 20th. I imagine he watched the demise of his two team mates with obvious interest. I also imagine that he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he actually took the checkered flag and was probably pretty happy with his 20th place finish.
Unleaded fuel or not, what's going on in the engine department at DEI? Back when Richie Gilmore was running the shop, it seemed that DEI engines were very good. Richie got kicked upstairs a few years ago, and Dale Jr. has been complaining about his engines ever since. Earnhardt Jr., in fact, buys his own engines for his JR Motorsports teams from Richard Childress Racing. The official reason for this seemingly strange relationship is that Jr. and Richard are friends, and more than that, his famous father drove most of his career for Richard. I can buy that. But the fact is, in last night's Busch Series race, DEI equipped Paul Menard suffered a blown engine. JR Motorsports driver Shane Huffman did not, with his RCR engine.
The fact is no Richard Childress Racing engines, no Hendrick Racing engines, no Roush-Yates engines, and no Joe Gibbs Racing engines blew themselves to worthless scrap today. This race may have been a fluke, but Dale Jr. also blew up two engines at Las Vegas testing earlier this year. I seem to see a pattern developing here. Dale Jr., who last year finished 5th in points, is now 41st in points. In 3 more races, ALL of the DEI drivers will have to qualify on time if the present situation doesn't improve drastically. The DEI engine shop needs to do some work, obviously. In the meantime, I wouldn't mind seeing them buy some engines from either RCR, Joe Gibbs, or even Hendrick. DEI is bleeding now, and they might need to apply a temporary band-aid by buying other engines until they get Richie Gilmore out of his office, roll up his sleeves, and put a wrench in his hand once again.
How sad would it be to see Nascar's most famous driver go home and miss a race because DEI can't put good engines in their cars? DEI may not be the best team out there, but they don't deserve 3rd rate engines in their cars. Teresa Earnhardt needs to make a decision: Either build a top notch racing organization, or go into the tee shirt business and just forget about racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. deserves better, and so do the other employees of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.
Back to more humorous stuff soon, I promise!
The photograph you see above is not Dale Earnhardt Jr. doing a burnout after a victory. The picture actually shows Dale Jr.'s final moments in the California race today. Before Dale Jr. went out with a blaze of glory, his team mate, Martin Truex Jr.'s engine also expired. Dale actually blew up once before, about 40-50 laps before the real smoke began.
I've read a lot today about how Nascar is using unleaded gasoline for the first time today. Lead in gasoline acts as a lubricant, and the lack of lead obviously means that the fuel all the cars used today is a little less slippery. Dale Earnhardt Inc. was not the only team with engine woes today, as we saw with Kasey Kahne, and to a lesser extent with Dave Blaney. Apparently Blaney's problem originated from the loss of the belt which drives the oil pump on his engine, so it's debatable as to whether he experienced the same problems that the DEI drivers and Kasey Kahne experienced.
One DEI driver, rookie Paul Menard did finish the race, finishing a respectable 20th. I imagine he watched the demise of his two team mates with obvious interest. I also imagine that he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he actually took the checkered flag and was probably pretty happy with his 20th place finish.
Unleaded fuel or not, what's going on in the engine department at DEI? Back when Richie Gilmore was running the shop, it seemed that DEI engines were very good. Richie got kicked upstairs a few years ago, and Dale Jr. has been complaining about his engines ever since. Earnhardt Jr., in fact, buys his own engines for his JR Motorsports teams from Richard Childress Racing. The official reason for this seemingly strange relationship is that Jr. and Richard are friends, and more than that, his famous father drove most of his career for Richard. I can buy that. But the fact is, in last night's Busch Series race, DEI equipped Paul Menard suffered a blown engine. JR Motorsports driver Shane Huffman did not, with his RCR engine.
The fact is no Richard Childress Racing engines, no Hendrick Racing engines, no Roush-Yates engines, and no Joe Gibbs Racing engines blew themselves to worthless scrap today. This race may have been a fluke, but Dale Jr. also blew up two engines at Las Vegas testing earlier this year. I seem to see a pattern developing here. Dale Jr., who last year finished 5th in points, is now 41st in points. In 3 more races, ALL of the DEI drivers will have to qualify on time if the present situation doesn't improve drastically. The DEI engine shop needs to do some work, obviously. In the meantime, I wouldn't mind seeing them buy some engines from either RCR, Joe Gibbs, or even Hendrick. DEI is bleeding now, and they might need to apply a temporary band-aid by buying other engines until they get Richie Gilmore out of his office, roll up his sleeves, and put a wrench in his hand once again.
How sad would it be to see Nascar's most famous driver go home and miss a race because DEI can't put good engines in their cars? DEI may not be the best team out there, but they don't deserve 3rd rate engines in their cars. Teresa Earnhardt needs to make a decision: Either build a top notch racing organization, or go into the tee shirt business and just forget about racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. deserves better, and so do the other employees of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.
Back to more humorous stuff soon, I promise!
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