Matt's Thread of Racing...

[Immortalfire]

That was one wicked crash..gees

 

[El_Citrus]

These types of wrecks should virtually disappear, with rare exception, when the spoiler makes its return to the car. Other than the wing, though, the rest of the COT has been a huge, huge upgrade in safety (Now if they'd just get rid of the splitter).

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I think NASCAR made the right call. I know i said that a slap on the wrist isn't what NASCAR should do, but they did say at the beginning of the season to have at it. Edwards still made a poor decision out on the track. I think NASCAR needs to set things straight about wrecking people at dangerous speeds.

 

[El_Citrus]

The only problem is finding that line of high speed vs safe speed for wrecking people and "having at it". Then, it gets too subjective and muddled and irritating. I think Nascar should try and get involved more during the race. If there's a wreck and a driver seems a bit upset about, have an official go talk to him and tell him that if he wants payback, then be smart about it and wait until a caution, or after the race, etc.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Drivers should know where and where not to wreck people. Edwards is smarter than that. Wrecking somone at almost 200MPH is kinda ridiculous. I have Edwards on my FaceBook and this is what he said.

My options: Considering that Brad wrecks me with no regard for anyones safety or hard work, should I: A-Keep letting him wreck me? B-Confront him after the race? C-Wait til bristol and collect other cars? or D-Take care of it now? I want to be clear that I was surprised at his flight and very relieved when he walked away. Every person has to decide what code they want to live by and hopefully this explains mine.

I think his best option would have been B. I'm not a NASCAR driver so I don't know what goes through their heads, but I would've just confronted Brad after the race and tell him he's going to get wrecked if he keeps being aggresive.

 

[El_Citrus]

I think he's probably done that to Brad already, or at least, others have told him that he's going to get wrecked by someone with the way he drives, and I think Edwards just reached a boiling point sitting there for over 100 laps in the garage.

I think Nascar should look into sending an official to talk to the drivers after a wreck that seems a bit controversial and heated, and at the very least tell them, like at a track like Atlanta, that if they're going to go out there and get payback, then be smart about it and use this incident with Edwards and Brad as an example of NOT being smart about it.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I usually pick before qualifying, but I've been busy this week. I'm taking Jimmie Johnson to get his first win a Bristol.

 

[El_Citrus]

I usually pick before qualifying, but I've been busy this week. I'm taking Jimmie Johnson to get his first win a Bristol.

MOTHERF&%^&!

Go buy some lottery tickets dude, this instant. Powerball FTW! You ought to at least try some of those fnatasy leagues that can win you money.

Anyway, Johnson got a great restart at the end for the win, though it was a rather boring race overall. Debut of the spoiler next week.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I actually thought this was better than previous Bristol races. Bristol had been known for just having one lane to pass on(the bottom). Now they have it where the top and bottom can be used. They really had just one big wreck that changed the outcome of the race.. The rest were for blown tires and rain.

 

[El_Citrus]

The racing has been MUCH better since they changed the track to progressive banking (Glenn Beck must be pissed though. Anyway). It's just that they bill Bristol as a track where tempers flare and more drama and emotions boil over, and we didn't get that here. Granted, the race was much better than I originally stated, as there are some that are pure snorefests, but I think it was the lack of tempers flaring and Johnson winning AGAIN that bummed me out.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I'm taking Tony Stewart this Sunday.

 

[El_Citrus]

Hehey, you finally got one wrong! Ha! I keed.

What a finish to Martinsville though! I was ready to rant about all of the tire issues today, which ruined plenty of great cars today, including Martin, but that finish almost made up for it entirely. Who the hell makes the call to pit, with the lead, with the best car, knowing the restart will be with about 5 laps to go?! Watching Hamlin hammer his way to the front was astonishing (3 wide at Martinsville!) and then to let everyone beat and bash a hole for him to get back to the lead is just inconceivable! Hamlin owes Kyle Busch one though, as he brought out that caution just before Gordon his the white flag. Great racing today, and the cars looked great with the spoiler.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Stewart looked like he had a car to contend in the beginning, then he stayed around 25th all day. The racing was fantastic today and the finish was wild. I thought for sure that Hamlin was done. Mike Ford made a really gutsy call. Jeff Burton probably could have won this race too if he hadn't blown that tire.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Great win for Hamlin in his conditions. It's nice to see him win at a non-flat track. The finishes to these races have been unbelievable. Now Talladega is right around the corner followed by Richmond!? I think we're in for a good show the next few weeks.

 

[El_Citrus]

Hamlin ought to have surgery more often, since he's won two races upon scheduling and having his surgery. Gordon was going to win until that giant wreck that took out a ton of cars (Though allowed my boy Martin to come home 6th). Talladega is going to be nuts. I would not be surprised to see Jr grab a win there or Richmond, as he'll have some momentum from running very well at Texas, his first great run in a long while.

 

[Alex The Great]

Wait, is it Talladega this weekend? I think it is

 

[El_Citrus]

It is this weekend.

EDIT: Some BREAKING NEWS I found on Jayski:

KURT BUSCH will be moving to the 22 car for Penske racing next year, driving with the SHELL/PENZOIL sponsor ship.

BRAD KESOLOWSKI will move the blue deuce and drive for Millar Lite. Sam Hornish is expected to drive the 12 car.

With Harvicks sponsor gone next year, talks with him, Childress, and BUDWEISER have started, since Kahne will be vacating the sponsorship and driving a Hendrick affiliated car next year.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Shell must be paying Penske a crap load of money for them to not keep Mobil. Unless Mobil is just backing out of Penske Racing because of the lack of screen time from Hornish. I honestly think this could be Hornish's last season with Penske. I think a move back to IRL is best for his career. We could see Justin Allgaier be moved to Cup if his success in the Nationwide Series continues.


As far as Budweiser to RCR goes, it's a good move for both parties involved.

So as we look at silly season, these are the potential driver/sponsors next season.

#2 Miller Lite - Brad Keselowski
#5 Godaddy.com - Mark Martin
#9 - No Sponsor - No Driver
#12 - Penske Racing - Sam Hornish Jr./Justin Allgaier
#22 - Shell Penzoil - Kurt Busch
#25 - Office Depot/Old Spice? Kasey Kahne
#29 - Budweiser - Kevin Harvick

 

[El_Citrus]

I'm assuming they'll break out the 25 for Kahne, as you suggest. I don't think Old Spice is willing to put up the money for an entire season as primary sponser (Though I don't like these sponsers splitting time with other sponsers, as guys like JR have two major sponsers that robs another potential team). Maybe Pepsi would step up to sponser Kahne.

Next year's already going to look tons different.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I think Pepsi is gonna hang tight with Jeff Gordon. I don't think they're gonna want to have one year with Kahne and be wondering who the next driver will be. A guy who I would love to see drive the third Stewart/Hass racing car after Kahne(might be a bit of a risk) is Elliott Sadler. Sadler was very competitve when Yates Racing was a top organization. I think he deserves a second chance with a top team.

 

[Alex The Great]

Ha, I love Jeff Gordon. "4-Time's a little upset "

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Congrats to Harvick. This was a great race to watch. I thought the outcome was gonna be last year all over again without the car getting airborne.

 

[El_Citrus]

That was indeed a great race. Harvick timed his move perfectly. JMac could have tried to come down on him, but raced him clean.

From what I saw, gonna have to rewatch the first half, the racing was incredible. I think Nascar may have found the perfect formula for this race with the spoiler, the self-policing mentality, and smaller restricter plate. 88 lead changes with 29 different leaders. Insane.

You have to love Gordon's post race comments. "The 48's testing my patience. It takes a lot to get me mad, but I'm pissed." These two ought to have a fun race at Richmond next week.

Great day for Mark Martin as well, coming home 5th. All four Hendrick cars in the Chase along with all three Childress, two Roush and Gibbs, and Busch for Penske, though i tlooks like anyone 13 through 20 could gain momentum and jump into the top 12 eventually.

Speaking of Mark, if Kahne is going to the 25 next year and does well, I wonder if Stewart-Hass would bring Martin over to the 25 for 2012 if he still wants to drive and they want to field a third car. Rumors are that he wants to become an owner after 2011, like what Stewart ended up with.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

That was indeed a great race. Harvick timed his move perfectly. JMac could have tried to come down on him, but raced him clean.

I really thought that Montoya was gonna win this race. He should have came down in front of McMurray when Hamlin was pushing him. They probably could've finished 1-2.

From what I saw, gonna have to rewatch the first half, the racing was incredible. I think Nascar may have found the perfect formula for this race with the spoiler, the self-policing mentality, and smaller restricter plate. 88 lead changes with 29 different leaders. Insane.

Probably one of the best races I've watched in awhile.

You have to love Gordon's post race comments. "The 48's testing my patience. It takes a lot to get me mad, but I'm pissed." These two ought to have a fun race at Richmond next week.

Johnson kinda of blocked him there at the end. Gordon will be in victory lane soon, though. His win is right around the corner.

Great day for Mark Martin as well, coming home 5th. All four Hendrick cars in the Chase along with all three Childress, two Roush and Gibbs, and Busch for Penske, though i tlooks like anyone 13 through 20 could gain momentum and jump into the top 12 eventually.

I think Hamlin or Biffle will dethrone Johnson. Hamlin is contending for wins week in and week out and Biffle is running consistent. I'm not sold on Harvick at the moment.

Speaking of Mark, if Kahne is going to the 25 next year and does well, I wonder if Stewart-Hass would bring Martin over to the 25 for 2012 if he still wants to drive and they want to field a third car. Rumors are that he wants to become an owner after 2011, like what Stewart ended up with.

I would've like to have seen Martin step out of the 5 at the end of this season and help Stewart build up his third team. Then Kahne would just drive the 5 car. Having a vetran driver like that help you would have been extremely helpful.

 

[El_Citrus]

I agree about Martin. I DON'T like Kahne signing to drive for Hendrick 2 years from now. Hendrick should have consulted with Mark about moving to Stewart-Haas next year to build up that third team. On the other hand, at least Hendrick is honoring Mark's contract. I'd like to see him step into Stewart's third team if Kahne runs well in it through 2011.

Speaking of Kahne, he's going to have an awesome looking car this week at Richmond. Done up like DW's old 11 when he ran with Budweiser.