Here Comes 2007

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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So while we’re wondering where 2006 went, it’s already time for 2007. With Preseason Thunder set to kick of in a few days, once it’s done there won’t be a breather until the checkers fly at Homestead next November.

When November finally rolls around though, is there really a breather? While that used to be the case, it doesn’t seem so anymore. Sure it is a little more relaxed, they’re not putting a car on the track every week, but that doesn’t mean that the work pace backs down. Preparing for the upcoming season goes into full swing the day after the last race. Take a couple days for Thanksgiving, then it’s back to it. The competition level in NASCAR has tightened so much over the past five years that it’s really incredible. Now it comes down to every day you miss during the off season is a day you’re behind come Daytona. Maybe even two days.

How many of you have followed the extremely slow media progression since Homestead? Not much there to report that is “breaking news”, but what do you read most about? Testing. Teams have been testing at tracks not on the Cup schedule almost every week since Homestead. They’re not only testing their primary 2007 cars, but they’re testing their testing their 2007 COT’s as well.

With all of this being taken into consideration, the COT is killing teams. At least initially it is. While designed to save teams money, right now it’s not doing much saving and sucking more than its fair share from the budget. When you’re taking at least 3 cars per team, most take four (two of each type), to each test session it’s going to put an additional strain on the budget. Not to mention all the additional resources to put the car into the inventory as well.

While the transition is in progress, how much additional cost is involved? Will this additional expense be saved over the life of the new vehicle? I doubt it. If NASCAR hasn’t learned this yet, I’m surprised. Any time they try to save a team money, they just spend it somewhere else. While it may very well save a few bucks in one area, which NASCAR can tout, is the bottom line for sponsors changing? Does it really have an impact on the big picture? Nope, not one bit.

Will the COT have a revolutionary money saving impact on the bottom line? If you’ve studied your history properly, then you can put a pretty safe wager on the odds that it won’t.

What it may impact though, is your smaller teams. The single car teams just trying to make the show every week. However the problem with that, at least for now, is that the additional burden is killing them. PPI has already pretty much given up on 2007 and are hoping to be back in 2008, and we’ll have to see how it goes once the season gets into it.

As we’ve discussed thus far around the Lounge, we could easily be looking at a record number of entries for the 500. With all the new teams coming into the series this season, and we’re not talking 4th or 5th tier teams but teams with major backing and resources, what is going to happen to the smaller teams that are just trying to live a dream? The Cope’s, BAM’s, or Front Row’s of the times. Their windows of opportunity are shrinking, and could very well close up completely.

NASCAR is a dog eat dog world. The top 35 rule was put in place for sponsors more than anything. Is that a good thing? It could be, but 35 seems a little much. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing another row or two added to the field. Crazy, you all say. Well yes it is a little out there. While sponsors shouldn’t be bowed to like royalty, the blunt truth is that NASCAR ceases to exist without them. It doesn’t matter who you are. No sponsor, no car on the track. Even Jack Roush had a time with the 99 a few years back. Look at the troubles that have plagued Robert Yates in 2006. Thankfully, Ricky Rudd and Yates could put aside the past, and that Snickers knows that more than teeny boppers eat their products and have pets as well (Pedigree).

So here we head into 2007, with more well funded and supported teams than in recent history (if ever), the single car teams from which NASCAR was built on being choked out by this, the COT being phased in, Dale Jr fighting with step-mommy, Flip-Flop (our ol’ buddy Stewie) running his mouth on his radio show about already having the “fine” saved up in case Edwards runs his mouth again, and who knows what the heck else is being collected in this giant snowball rolling towards Homestead.

So if you thought 2006 was filled with drama, stick around. The 2007 season is already shaping up and putting itself in place to surpass it.

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Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Here Comes 2007

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday January 8, 2007
10:15am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

As you may or may not have already heard, Bobby Hamilton has passed on after almost a year long fight with cancer. Passing at the age of 49 over the weekend while he was surrounded by loved ones.

Thunder Lounge would like to pass on our condolences, and heart felt wishes to Bobby Hamilton’s family, friends, and fans. As having lost close family to the battle myself, my thoughts and prayers are with you all, as are those of the Lounge.

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Filed Under: Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Bobby Hamilton Will Be Remembered

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday January 9, 2007
9:46am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Below you may contact us to report a problem with one of our plugins.

If you do not receive a response, don’t fret. We may or may not contact you about your report.

For the curious, a list of current verified issues is listed below the form.

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Filed Under: WordPress





Trackback URL for: Report A Plugin Problem

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday January 9, 2007
9:58am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

[thumb:358:l:s=1:l=x]In an effort to give back to the WordPressµ community, Thunder Lounge is pleased to announce our Default Post Title plugin for WordPressµ as available.

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Filed Under: Plugins, WordPress





Trackback URL for: WordPress MU Plugin: Default Post Title

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday January 9, 2007
10:17am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Plugin Discontinued Until Further Notice

Unfortunately, due to exceptional time constraints and scheduling, this plugin has unfortunately been discontinued until further notice.

If you feel this plugin was useful, or at least the concept of it, feel free to discuss and vote for menu management on the Idea boards on WordPress.org.

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Filed Under: Plugins, WordPress





Trackback URL for: WordPress Plugin: Menu Management

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday January 9, 2007
12:13pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

While we can’t verify the accuracy of these leaks, they are interesting to say the least. It’s only logical that they surface around the first sanctioned events of 2007, namely Pre-Season Thunder, where so many people with something to say are surrounded by a massive wad of journalists who are ready to drink up any kool-aid offered.

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Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Chase





Trackback URL for: Leaks About The Chase Emerge

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday January 10, 2007
10:44am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

I’d say this will be a difficult thing to find, but one only has to venture to the Scene Daily blog when they post “reader letters” to read some of the most ridiculous posts on the web.

In this first dish of “Ridiculous Posts”, I bring to you the one who still finds that there is too many races on cable networks, and therefore can’t watch them.

Think I’m joking? Have a look at it.

Apparently, this idiot has never heard of DirecTV, or Dish. I’ll take the first, thanks.

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Filed Under: Features, Nascar, Ridiculous Posts





Trackback URL for: Ridiculous Post: Too Much Cable

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday January 10, 2007
11:03am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Think we’d just stop with posts and comments?

Nope. Now we’ll advance to you a ridiculous article.

Coming from one Steve Waid over at Scene Daily’s blog. Imagine that. Two nominations in the same day, from the same place. Will it always be this easy? Well, probably.

So today we have an article from Stevie where he expands on Toyota a little bit, like THAT hasn’t been done to death already, and says they (the teams) lack experience with the exception of Bill Davis Racing.

Is that so? Matt Borland has no experience? Michael Waltrip has no experience? Neither does DJ, or Ty Norris?

I see. Well, next time I see any of them, I’ll be sure to let them know what you think, Stevie.

If you really want to read the dribble, mosey on over there.

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Filed Under: Features, Nascar, Ridiculous Articles





Trackback URL for: Ridiculous Article

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday January 11, 2007
9:52am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Greg Biffle and his team have the right idea. If you’re going to test the COT, do it with style. This is why today, the #16 team from Roush Racing will be at the infamous Rock. Yes, THE Rock. They’ll be testing out a Roush Racing COT, so we’ll let you know if we hear any details. If we can find a photo, we’ll add it too.

On other notes of Mr. Biffle, he took a little time during Preseason Thunder to make mention that he was disappointed in the response time of the safety crews at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in December. As you may have heard, he was there on a test and blew a tire. End result was a not so nice conversation with Mr. Fence, which Greg ended up on the losing end of the argument, and also ended up with a dislocated shoulder.

Greg wasn’t too worried about it, he’s dislocated several times in the past as a former wrestler, but he was slightly concerned with the manner in which it dislocated. Apparently it popped out towards the back this time, which I guess it seems it normally pops out the front.

So the question is, “Whatcha gonna do, when Bifflemainia runs wild on you?”

Well, Las Vegas had a rebuttal. Imagine that.

“We were surprised and shocked that Mr. Biffle would make - almost five weeks later - critical remarks about the response of our fire and safety team in the moments following his crash,” said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager.

“His criticism is misguided and has no merit in fact. His recollection of the event is in gross error. Mr. Biffle’s crash occurred in the middle of turns one and two. Our safety team was positioned on the inside of the speedway across from the point at which Mr. Biffle’s car made contact with the wall. The safety truck rolled toward Mr. Biffle’s car, which came to a halt in the middle of the backstretch, as soon as our personnel were assured that the other car on the speedway, driven by Kyle Busch, also had slowed and it was apparent that Mr. Busch was aware of an on-track emergency situation.

When the speedway’s safety truck reached Mr. Biffle’s car, he already had removed his head-and-neck restraint and was attempting to exit his car. The speedway paramedic rushed to Mr. Biffle’s aid, but Mr. Biffle assured the paramedic that he (Mr. Biffle) was fine and wanted only to be returned to his team’s hauler in the infield. Mr. Biffle was attended to by the paramedic in the ambulance during the ride back to the hauler and received aid for several minutes upon reaching the infield destination.

The speedway’s paramedic strongly urged Mr. Biffle to consent to being transported to the hospital, but Mr. Biffle steadfastly refused. In fact, Mr. Biffle signed a form saying that he refused being transported and he himself wrote, ‘I feel fine’ on a release document. Mr. Biffle himself completed that document at 1:25 p.m., several minutes after he had been returned to the team’s hauler.

Mr. Biffle’s statement was written as a response to a demand on the document that requested a reason for his refusing to be transported. Mr. Biffle was tended to by the speedway’s paramedic for several minutes at the hauler. He stated firmly that he was unhurt but said he was, in his words, ‘just upset because I crashed my best race car.’”

Well, well, well.

That whole statement has exactly what to do with the response time? Other than to say we got there when we could?

Greg, look forward to Texas. Their EMS support is top notch, should the need arise.

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Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Biffle Testing With Style, Also Comments On Las Vegas Wreck

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday January 12, 2007
7:23am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Well, you knew it was coming. With Mark Martins switch for 2007, he has launched his new site which reflects these changes. A site which, for all intensive purposes, leaves him in a small but very important group.

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Filed Under: Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Mark Martin Launches New Website