Still Going, Just Like The Bunny

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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Well, we’re doing it, as you can see from the fresh coat of paint to the Lounge here. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s still a work in progress. After starting last night about midnight CST, 16 hours later here we are just like that damn bunny over there. Fighting with Internet Explorer, and still probably a few kinks to work out for those unfortunate enough to have not downloaded Firefox for free yet, fighting with caching issues, url structures, and several other little pain’s in my educated derrière that are in a sleepless fog, onwards we go.

We’ve made several improvements already, and there’s more to come. We’re not done playing, that’s for sure. You can see some of the features of our free website accounts, and, as always, get your NASCAR fix from our one of a kind insight.

Speaking of insight, I’ve a ton of it for you, but a nap is more on the order of the day. Once a little snooze is out of the way, I’ll catch up on this week from what (little) I’ve missed out on mentioning. But for now, it’s a replay of California and a pillow. Who needs sheep when you have racing at Fontana?

Join the discussion.

Filed Under: Nascar, Network News, Thunder Lounge





Trackback URL for: Still Going, Just Like The Bunny

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday March 3, 2007
12:45pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Do it. Do it now.

Make your plans to attend the greatest party on earth. Mardi what? Spring Break huh? Nope, there is no comparison to letting loose and partying all weekend at the Thunder Lounge.

Our first event for 2007 is set to rock at Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung 500 weekend April 13th-15th, 2007.

Don’t waste your money on a grandstand ticket. Grab an infield ticket, and come find us. We’re in the center of the infield, just east of the garage area. In other words, get into the infield, find the center of the garage area, and turn towards the back stretch. If you “get lost”, ask someone. One of the friendly EMS folks from Greater Dallas EMS would be more than happy to help you find the party.

So gear up, bring your own “beverages” and a stack of beads, and let’s rock. As a note, if you stick around into the wee hours of the morning, or think you might, we recommend parking on the south side of the track. They tend to close the north entrance, and it’s quite a detour when you walk out the south and around the track to the other side. You’ll definitely need an extra beverage or two.

For your convenience, there are several hotels in the area, and most keep it reasonable even with the weekend activities.

Live music usually every night, plus a DJ, plus more fans than you can shake a stick at. We’ll be having various contests throughout the weekend, with prizes and the whole lot.

Appearing and performing again is one Mr. Randy Brown. Always a favorite, he’ll knock your socks off and plays with intense heart and soul. No “Great White Fiasco™” here folks. Pure music, all night.

When there’s action on the track, we’ll have the radio feed playing if available, and don’t forget the infamous 2nd floor view. So bring your sunscreen, relax, and enjoy a weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Network News, Nextel Cup, Texas, Thunder Lounge, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Make Your Plans For April, And Texas Motor Speedway

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday March 4, 2007
9:53pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Yes. I said it. You just saw NASCAR change in the blink of an eye. A definable turning point, if you will. When Ganassi first hired Juan Pablo Montoya, it was a move that not only shook up NASCAR, but the world was watching. With Montoya’s first win in a stock car, that same world is again watching closely.

It was a “traditional” stock car win, even. OK, so it was on a road course. However in typical beatin’ and bangin’ fashion, Montoya overcame adversity and a late pit stop incident to beat them to the line. Granted, in the process he dumped his “teammate” Scott Pruitt, but it’s like a friend of mine and I discussed minutes after. Any cop would look at that accident and tell Pruitt he shouldn’t have tried to cut Montoya off. Montoya may have been a little pushy about the issue, but when Pruitt came across his nose, where was Montoya to go? Spotter issue? Blocking issue? Who knows, but Pruitt can’t blame Montoya for it no matter how hard he tries. And he is trying through crying.

So now the former F1 star has put his name in the history books of NASCAR. The second non-American born driver to win ist the top levels of NASCAR, Ron Fellows was the first (eh?). Also as an Indy 500 winner to win at the top levels. And so in just his 7th Busch Series start, Juan Pablo Montoya has found our beloved Victory Lane. Whether he succeeds or fails from this point on, and remember that the Ganassi cars aren’t running like a Roush, Hendrick, or Childress at the moment, is almost irrelevant. He’s left his initial mark, and it’s going to further bring NASCAR to the attention of the world.

Whether it is deserved, or even wanted attention isn’t the point. The point is that it will come. Montoya’s win will help bridge the gap to the world, but it’s a big gap with lots of room to go. There were seats left down there this weekend, but in comparison to what one fish wrap writer mentioned today where they tried to compare the attendance for a Busch race to the California Cup race, it’s apples to oranges. Or, to be more specific, Busch to Cup. For a Busch race it was a decent crowd. Busch just doesn’t fill the seats like Cup does. It’s a fact. It has become better over the past few years, but Busch races may never draw the same crowds as their Cup counterparts. And that’s whether it’s North of, South of, or in between the borders.

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Nascar





Trackback URL for: You’ve Just Witnessed An Instant Change To NASCAR

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday March 5, 2007
4:38pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

After what many would call a disappointing and disgusting start to 2007 for Dale Earnhardt Junior, while leaves him currently sitting in 40^th place in the points (41^st in owners points), he is actually looking forward to Las Vegas. The competition better take note of his enthusiasm as well.

According to a recent quote from Junior DEI has found the root of the problem, which has left Dale Jr sitting 40^th in the points after two events, and caused the loss of Junior’s motors. While he was running at Fontana prior to bowing out gracefully to the crowd, his machine was a pretty spiffy little hotrod that was able to run with Kenseth.

Where the competition should take note is that the same chassis will be rolling down the Interstate soon, and headed to Las Vegas.

If DEI has truly found the root of their engine troubles, and can keep it together for Las Vegas, you very well could see Junior in position to turn his season around post haste. He’s going to need it, and he knows it. There’s 500 miles at Atlanta coming, and 500 laps at Bristol as well. Right now he sits a scant 18 points out of 35^th place, but if the failures continue the gap will widen. Makes the 2/4/6 over at RCR look pretty inviting doesn’t it?

Ed Hinton summed it up very well last night on Wind Tunnel.

Dale Junior has given Teresa an ultimatum, and that ultimatum is now public. Junior won’t back down, but will she? If she doesn’t, get your tickets for the Daytona 500. It will be an environmental experience like none other. Earnhardt fan or not, the situation would be an incredible and riveting experience as the front part of the 8 is cut off and a new 3 emerges.

Teresa is in a position unlike any other she has ever been in. If she folds, she loses what she cherishes. Control. If she stands tall and firm, she stands to lose an entire operation as her cash cow walks out of the barn.

So now we come around full circle back to the recent engine woes of DEI. Teams indeed have such issues at one point or another. Roush, Hendrick, Childress, Gibbs, and the rest of the garage. It happens. It’s a part of the game. Heading into Las Vegas this weekend, however, the stakes couldn’t be higher for DEI and specifically Teresa Earnhardt. Continued failures make that open door at Homestead look even more inviting. It’s one where Dale knows he will contend for Championships. One where failure isn’t tolerated, and gets corrected. One where he knows his destiny lies, but how soon has yet to be determined.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Las Vegas, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Dale Earnhardt Junior Looking Towards Vegas

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday March 8, 2007
9:18am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

On occasion we like to spice things up a bit and draw comparisons between two people whom at first glance seen completely unrelated. In this episode we’ll take a look at Tony Stewart’s impression of Dave Chappelle, which he has done pretty frequently yet without any comparison from anyone. We’re going to call the ball on this one, and you’ll see why.

First, to set the stage for this comparison, we’ll invite you to reminisce on a skit that Dave did during his short-lived but highly popular television show on Comedy Central. In a particular skit, “Dave” shows his roots as he goes back to several different times in history. The “theme” for the skit is every time he’s shown, someone is “f***in” up. Bloomberg, Carter, Lincoln, and finally himself.

Wednesday this week Texas Motor Speedway held its annual media day, with Tony Stewart as their guest. Naturally with this weekends event coming up at the new Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tony was asked about what he thought of the track. His response, in typical Stewart fashion and paralleling a Dave Chappelle impression, “I think they screwed up a really nice racetrack.” Translation, ‘SMI is f****n up!’ Which of course comes while he’s the guest at the SMI owned Texas Motor Speedway.

Tony Stewart’s concerns are valid, though. At least initially. His main points are that the speeds on the straights are over 200mph, and that the racing is going to be worse than it was due to concerns with tires. Also his concern is that where the race may be won from. Pit road.

– Tony Stewart:
I want to win a race because I do something behind the steering wheel. I’m proud of our pit crew, but I don’t think anybody in racing wants to see a race won in the pit area. I know the fans don’t.

But Stewart’s been critical of things before. We invite you to recall Speedweeks 2006, where Stewie was incredibly critical of bump drafting, and NASCAR implemented a “No Bump Drafting” zone for the Daytona 500. The question is now, will SMI or NASCAR listen? I doubt it although prior to his comments, and shortly after the test at Vegas last month, NASCAR mandated the 13 gallon fuel cell and GoodYear will be bringing a harder compound tire. It makes sense, really. Similar to Charlotte and their fresh pavement last year, which we’ll add that the Charlotte Situation™ hasn’t been discussed yet this season.

As much as we taut ol’ flip-flop around here, I can see his point of view and concern with the new surface. He’s one of the folks that have to deal with 400 miles of racing on it. However as a professional, he and the rest of the garage will rise above the challenge as they always do.

As a final thought, he makes yet another comment about the “millionaires” whom also carry the title of track owner, and is his final Chappelle impression of the session.

– Tony Stewart:
If they want us to race closer, build a smaller race track. At Martinsville and Bristol we are together all day.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. But these millionaires think they have to build mile and a half racetracks, then they all complain because we aren’t racing on top of each other.

Yep, we couldn’t agree more. Cookie, anyone?

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Las Vegas, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tony Stewart, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Tony Stewart And His Dave Chappelle Impersonation

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday March 9, 2007
11:29am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Las Vegas is a pivot point, and incredibly important this season. More so than any season before it. Granted it’s more pivotal for some teams than others, but regardless of who you run for it still carries more weight than it had.

For starters, we have 18 teams this weekend trying to squeeze into 7 available spots. Yet again, there will be well funded teams that take a long ride back across the country to the shop a few days earlier than they had hoped for. Some of these teams haven’t made a race this season at all (Mayfield and Allmendinger for example), and some have made one of two (Vickers). Note, these are all Toyota teams, but there are other manufacturers in this boat as well. For all of these teams, Vegas is extremely crucial. Right now, the deficit to 35th in owners points is still in sight. After Vegas it will get wider, and wider after Atlanta, and will continue to grow. By the time we get to the end of April, if you have missed more races than not, you can probably kiss the top 35 luxury goodbye and hope for more success in 2008.

Not only for teams that have struggled to make the show, but it’s also crucial for teams which have had lackluster results in the previous two events. Stewart, Dale Jr, Dave Blaney, as well as many others that have had mixed results. Stewie is on the rebound after his DNF in the 500, and his 8th place finish at Fontana bumped him up to 21^st in points. Junior is still stuck back in 41^st (40^th in owners), but only 18 from the top 35.

Dale Jarrett has another problem. Right now he sits inside the top 35, but those don’t take effect until Martinsville. Jarrett has had to use 2 of his available 6 Past Champion Provisionals, and using 5 of them up front will endanger his team later on this spring if he has issues and some poor finishes.

So centering in the middle of the newly anointed Top 35 Fiasco™ is Las Vegas in all of its redesigned glory. If you wish to call it glory, which Tony Stewart doesn’t. Bringing along with it the drama of fighting for a secured starting spot, it’s pivotal.

If you make the show, for starters, you get a leg up on teams that didn’t. Take for example Brian Vickers, he missed the 500 but after making Fontana is 34th in the hunt for starting spots. Note that he gained 19 spots in the hunt. As the races wear on, gains like this aren’t going to be a reality. Right now, at Las Vegas, it’s still possible to get yourself into position. With the next 3 races even, it’s going to become a nightmare.

So here were are, and qualifying is approaching fast. If you’re comfortable right now, you can work a little harder on your race set-up and let the qualifying chips fall where they may. If you’re struggling to make the show, you’ll have to split your practice time to make sure you give yourself the best possibility to make the show. In turn, your race set-up is going to have less time under it, which usually results in less appealing race results. It ends up becoming a vicious cycle. You can’t get your race set-up better, because you miss out on the additional time that teams in the top 35 have the luxury of taking. So if you get into the show, you’re already behind no matter where you start. Cycle repeats. The saving grace is hopefully by the time Martinsville comes due, you’re in the top 35 and can build on it. If you’re close and on the edge, you may find yourself back on the outside of the fence come race day. A painful lesson to swallow, and one that will be leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of sponsors as well.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Dale Jarrett, Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Las Vegas, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Team RedBull #83, Teams, Tony Stewart, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Vegas Race Is Pivotal For Teams

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday March 12, 2007
10:21am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Let’s see, the track was repaved and has come under praise and criticism. Check. Goodyear took a beating over the tire for being too hard and causing safety concerns instead of increasing safety. Check. Tons of entries, 11 went home. Check.

Yet, Jimmie Johnson still finds Victory Lane for the third time in a row. Perhaps the phrase that refers to the cream rising to the top in the face of adversity isn’t too far fetched after all. These drivers are professionals, and they adapt and overcome. Yes, even Stewart.

Dale Earnhardt Junior did run well, yet wasn’t a threat for the win. However, as they said they would, they turned their season around and not Junior is solidly in the current Top 35 for Owners Points. He’s not out of the woods yet though.

Jeff Gordon had yet another good run, and that team is building momentum. With 2 Top 10’s to start the season, and now add a Top 5 to that with his 2^nd place run at Vegas where’s he’s struggled for the last few years, that team is building a roll already. The Richard Childress cars are as well, even though Bowyer hooked out and Harvick wasn’t in tip top shape. Bowyer ran well, and just lost it. Harvick never had a competitive car, but Jeff Burton was there all day until electrical problems dropped him back late in the going.

Yet in the end, bad pit stops and a penalty couldn’t keep Johnson from taking his 3^rd in a row at Las Vegas.

One thing we are left with is wondering how a few more months will effect the track. We’ll see when the Trucks make their visit later this year, and when Cup comes back next season. As with any new track, it just needs a little seasoning on it.

While some may consider the next big hurdle in recently paved tracks to be Charlotte, we would disagree. Charlotte was breaking itself in last fall, and another 7 months should bring it in to reasonable again. The next big challenge will be one of the critical races of the year. Bristol and the Sharpie 500 in August. They’ll be ripping into the concrete as soon as the checkers fly in just under 2 weeks, and have even given Speed’s Victory Lane the opportunity to cover it during their post-race show. We’re also talking concrete here, not asphalt. It’s going to make for an interesting countdown to the Chase, that’s for sure.

So as we leave the sounds and faces of Las Vegas behind and head to Atlanta, what have we learned?

1. Jimmie has two “houses”. The second being a vacation home.
2. Professionals can do their job, even under adverse conditions.
3. Las Vegas in time should provide decent racing.
4. Again, that well funded teams are riding home before the checkers fly.

That’s pretty much the deal. Once Goodyear backs the tire off to a “normal” compound, and the track gets a little time under its belt with mother nature, all should be well.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #48, Jimmie Johnson, Las Vegas, Nascar, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Johnson Sparks Deja Vu In The Nevada Desert

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday March 19, 2007
8:39am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Wow. Where did this week go? I have no idea. Last I checked it was Tuesday, and now it’s Monday already. This sucks not only for our dear readers, but for myself as well. There was a lot of issues I, of course, had comments for last week. However we’ll move forward and try this again.

So by now you know Jimmie Johnson went back to back, passing Stewart with a couple laps to go yesterday at Atlanta, and sailing off into the sunset. Not a huge surprise, but a feat worthy of respect with the closeness of competition these days.

Johnson also, as the title implies, helped to make first time NASCAR history. It started Friday night with Skinner, Jeff Burton kept it alive Saturday, and Jimmie sealed the deal Sunday. Of course we’re referring to the first time ever that all three of the NASCAR top series had back to back winners. Skinner won the truck race at Fontana, and Burton also won last weekends Busch race at Las Vegas. And you thought Montoya’s top 5 was something.

Speaking of things Ganassi, not a bad effort thus far in 2007. Too bad that heading into the final race of guaranteed starts from the 2006 owners points that Robert Yates can’t yet say the same. We’re not officially calling the struggle yet, but it sure is shaping up to be. But hey, they’ll always have the front row at Daytona. Right?

So while you’re probably more worried about your canned pet food at the moment, and I’m thankful I use the non-tainted stuff, there’s folks out there with much bigger worries on their shoulders. Toyota, for starters, and it’s even poorer than expected start to its Cup debut.

After Atlanta, in the 2007 Owners Points battle, the lone Camry in the top 35 is Dale Jarrett by a scant 18 points. Next comes Blaney at 45 points out of the coveted Top 35. One small positive note in all their struggles is Vickers. He’s the next spot behind Blaney and 75 points out of the running. He’s also missed 2 of the 4 races thus far, only making the show in Fontana and Atlanta. That’s translating to a positive how, you ask? To still be that close in the hunt, and only making half the events to date, it means he’s ran “respectable” in those two events on average. Something Dale Jarrett and Dave Blaney who have had twice the opportunities to score points can’t say.

Anybody seen the recent NAPA commercial with Sammy Hagar in the closet? You know, the one where Mikey and DJ are walking though the hall at “Michael Waltrip Racing” and you hear Sammy jammin out with the “slightly different” version of his classic “I can’t drive 55″. Then Mikey opens the closet door and asks if he could turn it down a little bit, and Sammy snaps right back with “Can you drive a little faster”?

Could this be the sign that NAPA is digging its heels in and trying to make the best of a start-up situation? That’s the way I see it, to use Tim’s line, and although the results are obviously less than they had hoped for they can still make due with some creative advertising. Every little bit helps at this point.

If things keep going the way they have been, Toyota better hope Vickers makes it in this week at Bristol. A decent finish could squeak him into the Top 35 for Martinsville, and he could end up the lone Camry in the show thereafter. We say thereafter since that could be, and most likely will be, the last time DJ is eligible to use the Champions excuse (er, provisional) this season. Having used 4 so far, the trend would be one more at Bristol and Martinsville and then with his trend in Owners Points he’d be on the outside looking in.

The only salvation for struggling teams at this point is that now it’s time to put the COT on the track to race. Some say that the playing field will be leveled with it initially. While this is true to some extent, since nobody has raced it in an actual event yet, you can still expect the cream to rise to the top. Your bigger organizations have been working on it for quite a while now, as they have the resources and capabilities, while smaller operations have had to put more focus on the first for races of the season.

One thing is for certain though as we head to the mountains of Tennessee. All bets are off.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Atlanta, Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #48, Jimmie Johnson, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Team RedBull #83, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Johnson Makes History With Back To Back

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday March 23, 2007
6:50am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

There’s a rumor circulating around the garage that the #36 team fielded by Bill Davis Racing may be the first team to shut its doors. Wow. I’m “shocked”.

OK, not really. With just 4 races in the books, and on the morning of qualifying for race #5 at Bristol, this may shock some people. A team giving up already? So soon? Is it really? With 4 down, and no starts to show for it, there is no doubt that it is taking its toll not only the team but the sponsors as well. BDR isn’t the only one feeling the pressure, either. Michael Waltrip Racing is feeling the heat too. Reutiman has been the lone hope of the organization, as he’s been the only one to put the car in the show based on speed. Dale Jarrett’s used 4, soon to be 5 most likely, of his allotted 6 Champions Provisionals already, and is only 18 points from not being in the show.

Back to the BDR issues.

Bill Davis has insisted to his team this week to keep their heads up even if the sponsor (360 OTC) were to walk out, and that their jobs are safe. Bill Davis insists that he’s committed contractually with Toyota to field 2 teams, and that any other rumors in the media are false. He goes on to say that if the team were shutting down, they would find out from team owner Bill Davis and not through the media. Keep that in mind for a minute.

You know, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Something is going on, but the question is what. Is Toyota going to make up the funding difference if the sponsor walks out the door? Teams take money to run. Before you get into the science of it, you have to get cars to the track and people have to get paid. Logistics alone don’t come cheap, believe me on that one, and then you have all the science and manufacturing of it as well.

What about Dave Blaney? His points situation isn’t looking too good, 39^th in Owners at 43 points out of 35^th, and if he doesn’t pick it up this week at Bristol Bill Davis will find he has 2 teams trying to get in on speed at Martinsville. So what if that team meets the same obstacles that the #36 team is facing? CAT’s used to being in the show, and you can’t say they’re going to be too pleased if their not being in the show becomes a habit.

Is Toyota willing to fund a team out of its own pockets, a team that is struggling and has yet to make a race at that, just to save face and keep its push alive? Or would it make more sense to use those resources elsewhere to push other teams in its stable ahead?

People always comment about Toyota and how deep their pockets are. Now it’s time to see how long their arms are.

Oh yeah, by the way, if I were a member of that team, I’d be watching my mailbox and inbox. Bill Davis is known for his method of “telling” someone their no longer employed.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Bill Davis Racing #36, Bristol, Drivers, Jeremy Mayfield, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Incureable Heartburn For Bill Davis Racing

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday March 28, 2007
2:07pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

There’s your match-up. Well, sort of. Anyone care to take a stab at why there have been “racing incidents” between the Roushketeers and folks in the Toyota camp? Not to mention the two Toy’s in question happen to be from Toyota’s “Flagship” team?

Reutimann played his off as a payback, DJ was just plain pissed off.

However, neither “incident” should have happened.

Here’s your conspiracy. It is a well know, and documented fact, that the ol’ Cat In The Hat despises Toyota’s presence in the Cup Series. Could it be a secret team order to cut Toyota’s absolutely no slack on the track, whatever the cost? Could it be a bump out as innocently as possible directive?

There you have it, for you conspiracy freaks out there. The Roushketeers on a mission to take out or hinder the Toyota’s. Biffle meet Reutimann, Kenseth meet Jarrett. Just in case you’ve missed your formal introductions. Oh yes, and here is our good friend Mr. Fence. Please ensure your Toyota has a pleasant conversation with him.

Of course, this is provided you believe there is this great big conspiracy factor in NASCAR.

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Bristol, Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: You Want A Conspiracy? Here, Have At It