A Public Service Message for Disgruntled NASCAR Fans

By Marc, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Kyle Petty has something to say about the current state of affairs in NASCAR and how many of its fans view the sport:

“I really want to know what is it that race fans want,’’ Petty says, noting the fan uproar about racing at Bristol and Talladega, which both used the COT.

“I’m not really sure that they even know what they want. I think they’ve been sold a bill of goods on what racing used to be. Racing wasn’t always 43 cars under a blanket. Racing was Bill Elliott winning Talladega by a lap on the field.’’

There it is, the clear unvarnished truth.

Richard Petty once won a race after going 3 laps down, and his winning margin was 7 LAPS! In case you didn’t catch that, in effect he was 10 laps better than everyone else in the field.

If that were to happen today, there would be an insurrection in the grandstands as the laps wound down. A few brown bottle tossed Jeffy’s way would be mild in comparison. Yet the sky is falling around NASCAR Nation because OMG, someone leads the most laps and wins a race by 2 seconds!

I read a recent suggestion and long discussion the Chase should provide a process of elimination. A loss and you out sort of thing similar to a baseball or football playoff.

Sounds crazy I know, even crazier is the idea was floated by someone who’s “Anti-Chase Mantra” is “why do they wanna make NASCAR like other sports?” You figure it out, I damn sure can’t, and feel no great need to delve into the convoluted logic it takes to hold those two positions.

As you know the fan base discontent doesn’t end there, it touches on the shifting make-up of the financial side of the sport. The flurry of partnerships and mergers this season is unprecedented in the sport.

The deals give each team more money and resources, making the cost to start a team from scratch almost prohibitive. To be a part of NASCAR, someone almost has to buy into a team. The question is, is that a good thing or bad for the sport?

Joe Gibbs has tentative (tentative because the fallout from all the changes are yet to be felt) answer for that:

“To me, that’s a good thing,’’ said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, which will switch from Chevrolet to Toyota next season. “I’ve got value in my team. Five, six, seven years ago, there was not much value in your team.’’

WOW, value in a race team. What a concept.

In previous days the “value” in a race team was regained the only way possible, via an auction of the assembled parts that were bought by other teams for pennies on the dollar.

If Gibbs is right team owners have equity, something they’ve never had before. Also, it may put on hold any thoughts some may have of starting some type of franchising in NASCAR.

With all the changes on the financial side of NASCAR it’s way too early to make any definitive judgment, that may take years to get any real feel for them.

I’m willing to wait and see, unfortunately many are not, some have already tossed France and NASCAR under the bus transporter.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Marc Boland, Nascar, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: A Public Service Message for Disgruntled NASCAR Fans

By Clance' McClannahan, Thunder Lounge
Sunday July 22, 2007
5:56pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

After hours of searching and researching, I believe I have found the Ultimate Answer’s to the many questions posed on Thunder Lounge.com.

Yes, Marc, “Word is he’s been suspended under NASCAR’s Mythical Rulebook Section 12-4-A, “actions detrimental to stock car racing.” The exact violation hasn’t been detailed but indications are Luke was seen in the Texas Motor Speedway infield selling cheap copies of the Mythical Rulebook while wearing a gold tin foil hat.”

There have been many violations, one in particular, which brought about the horrid act, and turned the suspended one into a computer geek.

The exact violation of Section 12-4-A, “actions detrimental to stock car racing” was this post. Once up a time there was someone who dared such a dis’ to my driver… She however, was only put on probation for a first time violation. as she made the comments in ignorance, not being a NASCAR fan.

On the other hand, should Mr. Luke be given another chance? If so, how many? Just one? Two?
Or shall we say three strikes and you are out and just take over Thunder Lounge? Should we send him to Bash and Beat Up Tony Rehab in some nutzo forum somewhere, or would that be too harsh of a punishment?

I truly wish to recieve such marvelous feedback on post as was given to Aaron Fike, Don’t Let the Pit Gate Hit You. I, being the toothless hillbilly that I am, missed out on that lovely little party. The gate was locked, and rightfully so.

I had planned on doing a post about random drug use in NASCAR prior to the fire elementals threatening my home. Old news now. I have a pretty broad outlook and open mind. I too, believe that, in the world of NASCAR, there is no room for another chance. The sport is way too dangerous to have someone who is using drugs anywhere near a race car or truck. Yes, even if it was only mariwhanna.

Aaron Fike was not using “only” pot. He was using HEROIN, and shooting it up with NEEDLES. Now, I come from the old hippi world, and even in the 60′s and 70′s, “back in my days”, shooting up, meant SKANK. Heroin meant waaaaayyyy out of control. Not cool. In this day and age, the drugs are stronger and much more dangerous, and addictive. I do hope he, his gal, and the other NASCAR driver’s who have issues with addiction, get the help they need. But second chance in NASCAR? No way.

I do think, that after proper rehab, we should give ol’ Luke a second chance. He and Marc both need new hats, which was the second reason for suspension.
Why wasn’t Marc suspended for such an outlandish, blatent defiance of NASCAR’s Mythical Rulebook Section 12-4-A, “actions detrimental to stock car racing.”.
Because he was creative about it, I guess. When will the rules ever be the same for all?
By the way, the propellor has been found. It’s on the back of some guys bike.
While I was searching for it, I also found a picture of why I believe NASCAR driver’s should just say no to drugs.

On a final note, today’s deep thought:

Handle every situation like a dog.
If you can’t eat it or screw it,
Piss on it and walk away.

(I have edited and edited and cannot get this to format correctly, therefore I am taking my own advise)

Any questions??

9 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Drivers, Guest Authors, Nascar, Ridiculous Posts, Thunder Lounge





Trackback URL for: NASCAR’s Mythical Rulebook Section 12-4-A ~ The Many Reason’s for Suspension

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday July 6, 2007
12:51pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Another week, and another one busier than a one-armed wallpaper hangar.

First up, it was mentioned in droves by the “media” that NASCAR’s method of suspension (pulling credentials of those suspended) was “not enough” in terms of actually suspending a member. This is because credentials get you in the garage and the pits, nothing more. It’s all NASCAR has to work with.

After the cries by the “media”, Brian France said they were going to look at it. France, Mike Helton, Jim Hunter, and company took a look at it over the week and [Jim] Hunter announced yesterday at Daytona that individuals suspended from NASCAR were now banned from the track property during their suspension.

While it might not be agreeable that it isn’t exactly in the spirit of competition that suspended individuals can access other locations during an event weekend, that isn’t really the issue here.

The issue is that without credentials, the suspended person is now no different than the common fan, and one that has not violated any law of the United States of America.

Now that NASCAR has said they are now banned from the track while suspended, is this not a violation of personal freedom? A violation of all that America stands for? I see it as such, but apparently the “new media crowd” that NASCAR has been trying to attract doesn’t see it that way.

If it were one of these Journalists that lost their “credentials”, would they still not be at the track? Would they not be infuriated if they were told not to show up? Told they had been banned from the track? All hell would break loose. Yet, as long as it is someone else they don’t care.

I’m not going to debate whether having the suspended person in the motor home lot, the infield, or the grandstands has an impact or not. I’m not going to debate whether it’s right, or in the spirit of the suspension.

What matters here is that the Communist Party of NASCAR has violated the very freedoms that we are allowed under the Constitution and laws of The United States of America.

To put this in perspective, what if someone suspended still wanted to watch the race like anyone else, but had absolutely no contact with any team while on track property. They were acting in no other capacity than any other fan? They can’t.

Not saying that is what is going on, but it’s the principle of the issue that is at hand here. What’s to stop someone from being in a hotel close to the track? Close enough they can pick up radio signals? Nothing. Chad was in a hotel at Daytona in ’06, and it wasn’t any different than if he had been at the track in the motor home lot or the infield. Well, other than team meetings and such were in a different location.

The only thing this change “solves” is the impression that NASCAR is doing something. It won’t change the outcome or the fact that the suspended person can still play an important part. This move is has nothing more than to promote NASCAR’s media image in mind, and one that solves absolutely nothing.

What’s next Fuhrer France? Put a ban on individuals anywhere within 100 miles of a track? Make them check in at the NASCAR Offices 3 times a day during event weekends? I got it… Why not lock them up in a cell over event weekends? How’s that, huh? No crime committed, but certainly being treated like a felon.

This certainly is not the American Way, but is this the new “NASCAR Way”?

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: NASCAR Violates American Civil Rights

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday June 12, 2007
8:47pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Anybody care to draw a quick conclusion from the title?

OK, times up. If you caught coverage on Sirius, you’re a step ahead of the game. Going back to something I wrote about last summer, unfortunately Germain Racing is still being duped.

You know, I thought that maybe, just maybe it would go away. And perhaps that just maybe a Truck Championship would right the ship. Unfortunately for the Nextel Cup garage, and watch out in the Busch garage too, this isn’t the case. It isn’t as strong of a plan as it was made out to be last summer, but it’s still somewhat going through.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Clean, minus being so “buff” and instead being “fluff”, Todd Bodine is planning on taking Germain Racing into some Busch events, and a few Cup events as well this season. Their first planned Cup attempt with be at the sacred Brickyard.

It’s a rare occasion where I truly dislike a driver, and would prefer them to be watching from the couch. Poking fun at Stewie aside, and it is fun, I still want him on the track. In this case, I would prefer Bodine were nowhere near the track.

It’s also a very, very, very rare occasion that I’m thankful for the Top 35 rule. Come Indy, I’ll be singing its praises full bore. With it in place, it makes it unlikely that Todd will contribute to that damn yellow hanky coming out. And you know full well if he makes the event he’s going to dump someone. At a place like Indy, where the turns are short and sharp and the speeds are high, it is a disaster in the making.

At least there are SAFER barriers now, but that won’t fix all the torn up cars that will result from this asshat making the field.

Need proof? Really? Sure, just look at his past history. It speaks for itself.

Heck, just look back at last Friday night at Texas. Amidst the real party that is the Thunder Lounge, some asshat that looks like Mr Clean took out the leader to go on to Victory Lane. No payback, not in retaliation. Simple because he ran out of talent. Yet another tribute to why nobody will give him a ride in a Cup car.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Indianapolis, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Safeguard Those Sacred Bricks

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday May 31, 2007
6:21pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

I. Have. Had. It.

I got something better that one said NASCAR.com/Turner Sports Interactive can kiss. Allow me a second to stand from the throne which sits before the blogging desk here at the Lounge.

I shall now enter into record Exhibit 1.

Yes, I signed up for an account (back in the day), and part of this included receiving “important updates from NASCAR.com”, but not its partners or anyone else. Note, important updates. For example, I got a “breaking alert” when Jr scheduled his little conference a few weeks ago. I can handle that, although it came hours after I had already known.

In the past month, maybe a little less, I have received no less than 4 messages of this “nature”. Can someone please explain how this is an “important update”, or how it could even possibly be construed as such? It can’t.

It’s nothing but scum of the earth spam.

I now enter into record Exhibit 2.

This shows the “account” screen, when I clicked the “opt-out” link. Note, it had “my account” signed up to receive ongoing program communications such as updates or new rewards.

What in the flying F!

Never at any time did I agree to that. When I signed up, it said “important updates”. Either way, how in the flying hell is a damn “get our credit card” spam in any way shape or form a “update” or “new reward”? Again, it’s not. It’s spam.

I hate spam. It’s unfortunately a piece of the times at the moment, but I absolutely don’t need this crap from our “Sanctioning Body”.

From now on, my browser won’t ever be pointing to NASCAR.com, I’ll find historical statistics, lineups, and standings elsewhere.

I already quit reading their other crap, although they have a new staff reporter that interests me. OK, she’s pretty hot, too.

Either way, no more traffic from this camp. And after the “lovely conversation” I had with a person with ISC back in September… Heh… I’ll leave that can of worms shut.

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: Attention NASCAR.com/Turner Sports Interactive: Kiss My Grits

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday April 10, 2007
3:21pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Copyright © 2004 – 2007 | Thunder Lounge | All rights reserved
Content may not be distributed or republished without permission.

And we’re not kidding. If you’re republishing our content, without our explicit written permission, we will pursue a course of action.

Apologies to our readers, but some idiots out there just don’t get it.

Back to the show.

3 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: A Word To The Wise

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday April 7, 2007
3:07pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

I’ll keep this short, and slightly bitter, and then it’s back to the race.

Dear ESPN,
I sure hope from here on out you plan to extend the same courtesy to NASCAR that you extended to tennis earlier this afternoon. The cutoff move to an infomercial for the Bristol race was disgusting, and an event that should not be repeated. Let alone should have happened in the first place.

So, the next time race coverage of a NASCAR sanctioned event would run over, you’d better show it. Else I can only imagine the backlash from fans. It wouldn’t be pretty, that’s for sure.

Your return to coverage was a welcomed one in your replacement of NBC. One that looked promising from the start. You screwed the fans with the Bristol deal, a move not recommended to repeat. Screw us once, shame on you. Do it twice, shame on us.

/R

Luke

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: ESPN: Show NASCAR The Same Courtesy

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday April 2, 2007
1:33pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but here’s my take on this. But first, let me say this is nothing against Greg Biffle. He’s the unfortunate innocent party in this new Roush Debacle. As you know, here a Thunder Lounge we don’t necessarily dislike any driver. The few exceptions to the rule being Todd Bodine, and on occasion a love to hate Mr. Flip-Flop’s opinions.

So when NASCAR drew the line at 4 Cup teams per stable, Roush was grandfathered into the mix with a clause that essentially said they had to whittle down to 4 teams as soon as possible, once a sponsorship or driver contract had come to the end of its terms.

OK, so let me see here. Since then Roush has replaced Mark Martin, and Greg Biffle is flying new colors this season as well. Not too long ago, NASCAR must have saw the light and made a firm date of “no later than the 2010 season” for the ol’ Cat in the Hat to whittle his stable down by one team, unless contracts dictated a sooner date.

So let me see here if I get this right. Essentially Jack is either playing NASCAR for a fool, or he’s playing favorites amongst his Roushketeers. Perhaps a little of both.

Greg apparently has another year left on his contract after this season, and Ameriquest has opted to not renew for 2008. So here Geoff Smith is trying to not only broker a new contract for Biffle, but a new sponsorship contract as well. So we are already up to the third opportunity for Roush to comply with the NASCAR mandate. Anybody see anything wrong with this picture here? Anybody want to call shenanigans yet?

The above being the case, and three neglected opportunities to comply, what’s going on here? Roush may very well be the biggest independent influence in NASCAR. He’s built a powerhouse that commands respect of his accomplishments no matter what your personal opinion is. Yet, is he “above” NASCAR?

He’s going to have to pick one team, and soon, to begin phasing it out of operations. The likely scenario is a partnership or an under the table deal with Yates, where if need be Roush is running that team but under a different stable. It would be a Yates team, but Roush would foot the bills and whatever else on the side if need be.

The question is, who will it be? Greg doesn’t seem likely, and you know Carl isn’t going anywhere. The rookie isn’t a safe bet, else he wouldn’t have been hired unless his contract is the same length as AAA’s sponsorship. Matt? OK, yeah, right. Roush give up his Championship team? Not hardly. That leaves Jamie, at the moment.

It’s no secret that the performance to date has been very “Un-Roush” like. Last year was dismal for McMurray, but then again, Roush struggled as a whole with the new Fusion. So the blame isn’t squarely on the 26 team, and so far this season things are picking up in that department so far. So what about David Ragan then? I’ll give a thumbs up for improvement at Martinsville this past Sunday, in comparison to last October, and at least he’s not being told to skip Texas. However with him being the new face in the crowd, does that limit his credentials in the stable? Obviously Jack doesn’t think so, and knows it would be an uphill battle to bring out the kid’s potential. What it very well may come down to is performance between the 26 and 6 teams. He who finishes best, keeps his Roush logo on his fire suit.

Not a position I’d want to be in, then again I wouldn’t want to be a TV reporter either. (Note: TV reporter comment just to give Jay a laugh.)

So what’s the deal going on here? Is it Roush playing favorites, acting as his Roushketeers are above the “law”, or what?

Could it be that he’s holding out as long as possible, playing Russian Roulette instead, and whoever comes up comes up?

I don’t think so. Roush isn’t dumb, folks. He has something up his sleeve, and that you can be sure of. Trying to guess their next move is like trying to predict a winner on Sunday. You can guess, but until it happens you just don’t know. Some obviously guess right, and some don’t.

Kind of reminds you of how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop, huh?

Maybe Mr. Owl has an answer for the Roush Camp too.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Carl Edwards, Damn Good Points, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Roush Racing #26, Roush Racing #99, Teams





Trackback URL for: Jack Roush Playing Favorites Amongst His Roushketeers?

By Tim Spencer, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday February 20, 2007
1:27am UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Who is disappointed the most as the Daytona 500 winds down could very well be a slue of people, car owners and drivers as well. From bad finishes to just being taking out or being nipped at the finish line it what was the closest finish in NASCAR history at Daytona since the introduction of electronic scoring. Daytona had it all.

Probably the two most noted was the deal with Mike’s Toyota and Harvick pushing a fender in front of Martin for the win. We all know those two events have been put all over the press.

Toyota found out that Daytona was for the big boys. The highest finishing
Toyota was that of Dale Jarrett who finished 22^nd. His team owner managed to take a car that had not seen the track until the Duel and finish in the 30^th spot.

Dave Blaney finished the day in 34^th after flying down pit road to miss the being of one accident and cause another as he exited pit road and slammed into Schrader who was another innocent by stander taking out do to someone else’s carelessness. The final Toyota of Reutimann ended the day in 40^th. Add to that Waltrip is starting the season in the hole in points! Not to good of a day for the first race with the Toy’s.

How about Tony Stewart?? Think he had what he would call a disappointing day? He finished dead last after being taken out by Kurt Busch. Busch managed to return with his way ward Dodge run enough laps to move in front of Stewart and Kyle Petty. The sad part is that Busch and Stewart had by far the top cars of the day. Busch still led the most laps while Stewart led the second most laps.

How about all the cars that were trashed while trying to race back to the finish because NASCAR didn’t put out the caution on the final lap?? I’m sure there is a bunch of upset drivers and owners with that. Take for example, David Gilliland who spent part of the day a lap down and then got the luck dog to work his way back to the top five. Only to be knocked out in the last lap to finish eight. While eight is nothing to complain about for a rookie who was running in the top five to be caught up in someone else crash makes it a little disappointing. Matt Kennseth would also be another who was running well into the top ten when it broke loss and finished 27^th.

How about the fans?? I bet there are several fans that are disappointed and that would even be without the big wreck at the end. A true fan of racing would agree that the race was disappointing just from the standpoint that the race was only about 40 laps long rather than 200. It was definitely one of the most boring races that I’ve ever seen at Daytona. Let’s hope that July brings a better race, for the fans and for the drivers.

And That’s The Way I See It!!!

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Daytona, Guest Authors, Kevin Harvick, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Richard Childress Racing #29, The Way I See It, Tim Spencer, Tony Stewart





Trackback URL for: The Disappointment of Daytona

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday February 10, 2007
7:31pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

I have never, ever, been so disgusted with a NASCAR performance as I am at this moment. The person who hired “Cowboy Crush”, or whatever their no-talent hacks who performed the National Anthem just a few minutes ago are called, should be fired.

That was the most wretched butchering of the National Anthem that I can remember. Yeah, it was worse than that jackass at the Truck race in Memphis a couple years back.

It’s the National Anthem. You don’t rewrite it to be cute, funny, or try to gain attention and whore out your “records”.

Way to screw up, HWSBO and Co. Way to go.

You, and those horrid “ladies”, here by earn the “Reaper” for the day.

Hell, you had Dirks there. HAVE HIM DO IT!

5 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: I’m Disgusted, To Be “Politically Correct”.