Learn from the master, Kids.

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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No racing, no real news, the world is going to hell in a hand basket and thanks to Ol’ Uncle Willie we’re all reminded that no matter how damn slick we think we are, there is but one true master of the art…

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Filed Under: Nascar, Thunder Lounge, WTF? Wednesday's

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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday November 21, 2007
12:20pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Moving right along…

Where’s Luke?

WTF, Luke? Where ya been?

OK, I’ll throw myself in the fire to kick it off.

Believe it or not, and if you know how my schedule goes you’ll know I’m not full of it, I’ve been busier than all get out.

Granted, I’ve been off the posting wagon for a bit, but I have been knee deep in the Lounge on several fronts.

First, as always, a lot of time has been put in behind the scenes to improve Thunder Lounge’s online presence, and the quality service we also provide to you, our loyal and faithful viewers. We’ve been working on quite a few things that will materialize between now and Daytona, such as a hauler full of new themes for folks to choose from, a fresh coat of paint for the Lounge, and a ton of other little goodies. I’ve also been working closely with a couple friends on making their own NASCAR site a lot better, and fully integrating their site with some of their other content, etc. Needless to say, while the posting time has been short, it’s only due to the normal hours normally spent on the lounge in a day being marked for improving and updating.

We’ll get back on the wagon, and we’ll be better than ever.

Penske’s Gonna “Do It”

It’s been rumored, but if they can pull it off they’re going to.

Sam Hornish, as you may have heard, will be in the #77 next season for Penske Racing South in the Sprint Cup Series.

Here’s the moral dilemma. They’re going to try and move the 2007 owner points from Kurt Busch over to the #77, and let Kurt fall back on the Champions Provision for the first 5 races in 2008.

I won’t deny that it’s a business decision, and smart in terms of business. But, is it ethical to take advantage of the loop hole(s) which could allow for this to happen?

To put it lightly, with a favorite phrase of mine, “I don’t think so, Tim.”

It draws serious credibility issues to the sport, the team, and to Hornish. While Sam is no doubt a quality talent, and well deserving of a shot at big time stock car racing, should he compromise his reputation and be “the guy who swiped points”?

It’s a bear to make a race these days with the Top-35 guaranteed a starting spot, and sponsors want in the show. However, would you want to be the sponsor that snuck their way into the field? I’m all for drivers getting a shot, for the most part, but please keep the integrity of the sport and competition by earning your way into the dance.

Hendrick Cup Series

Well, that’s what some folks would like to call it.

All I can say about the dominating year the Hendrick Camp had is “wow”. You’ve just witnessed a season of historic proportion folks. Like ‘em or not, they did their job. They used their early adoption of the COT to their advantage, and it took a season for the other top tier teams to gain ground.

Who would have thought that a 5.1 finishing average in the Chase would come in second? Jeff Gordon certainly didn’t. It was just an incredible year for the Hendrick folks as a whole. Something that should be respected, whether you fall on their side or not. The 2007 season will go down as one talked about for the ages. Not only in terms of competition, the COT, and other various aspects, but one where there was an organization that just flat out hit the nail on the head.

The benefit? All the other teams will step up their game, and as a result the competition will become even more fierce.

Morgan-McClure

Yeah, way to put Mr. Clean in for Homestead. How’d that work out for ya?

For the record, it isn’t Ward. It’s your equipment. Partner up with a bigger Chevy team,
switch manufacturers, whatever it takes. Save Ward!

And on that note, I’m outta here for a while. It’s almost Turkey Day, and we all have a lot to be thankful for this Holiday season. We wish you all well, and a happy Holiday season.

We’ll be back next week with what little news is trickling through the off-season, and maybe with a few goodies to tide you over for another 88 days.

Join the discussion.

Filed Under: Features, Nascar, Nextel Cup, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday November 7, 2007
8:53pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Menard To Get New Crew Chief

So it looks like Paul Menard is going to get a new Crew Chief for 2008, as Dave Charpentier moves up to become the Technical Director at DEI. Well, if the rumors are to be believed.

The only question I have, is how long will it take for the #15 to fall out of the Top-35? Lest we forget that if it weren’t for the Ginn Fiasco, they wouldn’t be in the Top 35 as they were the beneficiary of Sterling Marlin and his effort in the #14.

You know, there’s a reason that a lot of drivers/teams in the garage make comments over the radio about Paul Menard. To be honest, if you thought Tony Stewart was off his rocker or out of line on his Sirius show a couple weeks back, you’re sadly mistaken. He is far from the only one out there with those feelings. Nothing against you personally Paul, you’re a great guy, but could you be over your head a little bit here?

So, WTF is going to save the #15 from the Top-35 cut-off in 2008?

New Hampshire Gets A Facelift?

DW seems to think that New Hampshire could be ripped up and the resulting reconstruction could end up the product of Richmond and Bristol gettin’ it on.

That’s right, a 3/4 mile, high banked short track. Maybe not 36 degrees, but far from 12 or 14 we would imagine.

On top of that, expanding the current 100,000 or so capacity as the stadium builds around it.

While that would be pretty darn cool, is it really something that could happen?

New Hampshire has sold out 26 consecutive dates. Not many tracks can boast consecutive numbers like that. Richmond can, and I’m pretty sure Bristol is in the ballpark as well, but the question at hand is how fast will that number continue to increase?

Here’s the deal.

The majority of speculation is that one of the New Hampshire dates will be petitioned to be moved to Las Vegas for the 2009 season. Most likely the one in September. You know, the date that has kicked off the Chase since its inception in 2004.

However, we have another problem here. The fall date at Texas also coincides with the opening weekend of deer season in Texas. What’s a good ol’ boy to do?

Further speculation is that if the date is moved from New Hampshire to Las Vegas, then in turn Las Vegas and Texas could swap dates. Which would run the schedule out like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Homestead, with a Texas sized party to kick the whole Chase off.

Then again, maybe New Hampshire keeps both dates? While Las Vegas is a great facility, Bristol makes more revenue. If New Hampshire did get a facelift, while it would take some time to build up the capacity, it could generate more revenue than Vegas. Interesting thoughts all around, that’s for sure.

So, WTF is going to happen with New Hampshire?

Speaking Of Racing, Where’s The Leader?

“I’m a hundred miles away, son.”

That’s exactly what the leaders were saying at Texas this weekend. It was almost a given that if you got the lead, you’d end up with a 20+ car length advantage.

Was it the surface? Is the “soon to be extinct” car just that bad in traffic these days? While we have much love for our home track at Texas, the show wasn’t as stellar as it could have been. We’ll leave judgment out of it, and just wonder… WTF happened to the show(s)?

And there you have it. Your WTF’s for this week.

With two weeks to go before the season winds down, we’re going to give a shout out to all those folks that have been working the grind with little downtime since Daytona last February. We, as fans, thank each and every one of you for the job you do to support our sport. From the hauler drivers, to the crew members, to the souvenir drivers/sales folks, to the drivers, and everyone in between we give you a hardy Thunder Lounge salute and thanks.

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Filed Under: Las Vegas, Nascar, New Hampshire, Nextel Cup, Texas, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 31, 2007
11:42am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

This week, we tackle some crazy stuff. If you’re not asking “WTF?”, then there’s a problem.

NASCAR May Try To Curb Nationwide-Whacking

First off, that just doesn’t have the ring that Busch Whacking does. I guess we’ll get used to it, or figure out a different term.

According to ESPN, when NASCAR brings the “Pony” cars to the Busch Nationwide Series in 2009 they are looking at not allowing Cup drivers in the Top 35 to accumulate points in an effort to stop the influx and work towards giving the series its own identity.

WTF is that all about?

Cup drivers aren’t there for points, they are there for seat time, information, and most of all to race. By not allowing them to score points, what’s the point (no pun intended) in that? There isn’t one. The only result is you’ll have guys in the field, still eating up the spots, but only the Non-Cuppers get the points? So you can have a guy with 0 points and 6 wins in the series. That would be a funny thing indeed.

If you want the title to be decided within the series, and not by a Cup driver, instead limit the number of races that a Cup driver can enter in the Series, based on the number of full seasons they have run in Cup. One exception would be if that driver is not currently running a Cup effort (like when Kenny Wallace went to Busch after running Cup for BDR).

If you cap it at 10 or 12 races a year for a Cup driver that has 5 or more years at the Cup level, you still get the benefit of “names” in the series, but at the same time they won’t be a title factor. Tie in owners points to that as well, and then there won’t be an issue with that either.

Bill Davis Buyout

It’s on, it’s off. It’s Jacques Villeneuve, it’s his agent, it’s Big Bird.

WTF? Deny, deny, deny. Rumor, rumor, rumor.

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

Not a week ago, Davis was talking (in a round about way) about it in one of the local papers. Now he’s back to complete denial. So which is it, Bill?

ESPN, You’re In Hot Water

Just saying NASCAR coverage and ESPN is an automatic WTF.

While it’s generally been decent up to the checkers, here is the impression they are giving:

“There’s the checkers, how quick can we get out of here guys?”

You know, there is more to covering the race than just getting to the end. When you consistently roll credits during the Victory Lane coverage, there are some serious issues. Either you have failed to properly schedule your time, or you just flat out don’t care.

The consistent drop in ratings (down 16.7% for Atlanta as compared to 2006) week in and week out should be telling you something. If it isn’t, you better look at other options.

Get on the ball, and get it right. NASCAR requires the Top 5 finishers to stick around for you, and the very least you could do is show your appreciation and respect these guys by giving them their TV time.

If NASCAR doesn’t step in and mandate certain coverage aspects, like a 15 minute minimum post-race for example, then we’re at the mercy of the Networks and what they feel is important.

We can see where ESPN’s current priorities are.

They were supposed to be the TV savior for NASCAR, after NBC/TNT just flat out hosed it up. Thus far, they are far from living up to the hype.

Here’s to looking forward to the return of FOX, and the return of post-race coverage.

NASCAR For Sale?

Following on the heels of recent rumors that Chez Brian may be moving positions within ISC, we have this little ditty from Cup Scene Daily, through Yahoo Sports, that ISC “is studying the sale of the world’s largest stock car auto racing sanctioning body due to financial troubles“.

WTF?

Can’t say that a separation of interests wouldn’t possibly be good for the sport, but financial troubles? Did the Staten Island and Seattle fiasco’s really take that big of a toll on ISC?

Well, there you have it folks. This week’s WTF’s are interesting to say the least.

Aside… Don’t Forget!

It’s time for the showdown at Texas Motor Speedway, and of course Thunder Lounge will be there to provide the best entertainment and party on the planet!

See y’all there!

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Filed Under: Busch Series, Features, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Texas, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 24, 2007
9:09am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

My time is short, and my schedule’s been hard, but lucky for you I’m out of cards.

OK, so it’s supposed to be money’s short and times are hard, but hey, work with me here.

Either way, I’m left wondering where the last week went? Wow. I have no idea, although I slept through most of it due to one hell of a cold (or some kind of sinus/respiratory crap).

Richert out a Red Bull

Doug and Red Bull Racing have parted ways, effective immediately. Are they NUTS?
From the sounds of it, although nobody is placing blame, it sounds like RB was the initiating party here.
Um, WTF? Doug is quite the capable crew chief here folks, and miracles don’t happen over night. You’re a start-up team, and with this move your sophomore year isn’t going to be any better either.

Your loss, someone else’s gain. Best of luck, Doug!

Read more of this »

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Filed Under: Drivers, Features, Jeremy Mayfield, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Scott Riggs, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 17, 2007
7:28am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

New Driver At Roush?

Ricky Stenhouse of Olive Branch, MS has been drafted into training to become a Roushketeer. Ricky is currently racing USAC (National Sprints and Midgets) for Tony Stewart, and will move into ARCA in 2008 for Roush according to the Roush Fenway PR.

Um, WTF? Doesn’t look to be much room at the top, especially when one considers that Roush has to “get rid” of a car in a little over a year. Needless to say, their current program looks pretty much full, but here comes another one. Something smell a little fishy here? I wouldn’t say fishy, Charlie Tuna, but Roush knows where the sandbox is to play in. Let’s not forget that he plans to move a team over to Yates Racing when the time comes. However, we still wonder what’s going on with this.

Which brings us to a similar topic…

3M Primary Sponsor For Biffle In 2008, Multi-year Deal

3M has worked out a multi-year deal to be the primary sponsor of the #16 and Greg Biffle as per the Roush Fenway PR. While Biffle has not re-signed with Roush, his contract currently expires after the 2008 season, he did say he’s pretty likely (like 80% or so) to resign with Roush. Well, who’s going to be going then? Unless something drastic happens with the Biffle negotiations, the only choice Roush has is Regan. Nice kid, but if Biffle resigns, and you know Kenseth and Edwards aren’t going anywhere, and Jamie fits in there very, very, well too, the kids going to Yates. Which might not be a bad thing, as at least he’ll still have a job.

Either way, Jack’s making all these deals like he’s got more cars than a Mark Martin Ford dealership. Something else is going on that we don’t know. Has to be. So WTF?

Lights at Martinsville Would Be Bad?

Clay Campbell questions the addition of lights for Martinsville Speedway in a Virginian Pilot interview. his big concern is that is can get a little chilly at night in late March/early April, as well as in October. However, it may help out with some of the other things (modifieds and late models), and they have rigged temporary lighting in the past. However, the big deal is that those take up so much room.

Lights wouldn’t make sense? WTF? Just because you have them, doesn’t mean NASCAR would make it a night race. Although, I will admit, it would be really, really cool. The big benefit of it, Mr. Campbell, would be if a race goes late and there is a need for additional light. See: Kansas, 2007 for a prime example. I’ll also cite October, 2001, where it rained enough to keep the race from running on Sunday, but with lights it could have went off without a hitch. (I ate too many hot dogs that day.)

And now, our final WTF of the week…

Michael Waltrip Attributes Recent Improvement To Gibbs

Ruh Roh! Should you have told ESPN that, Mikey?

Yes, indeed, Joe Gibbs has been doing their homework on their new manufacturer for 2008. To be honest, if you didn’t think they were, you need far more help than I can give you. However, did anyone think that information would be disseminated to their new brethren before Homestead? Let me see here. We’ve got 2 drivers in the Chase, so let’s tick off our current manufacturer even more by sharing information with our new friends. Wow. Never would have thought it would be a reality.

Sharing information with the parent company about their own brand, OK, I can buy that. However, that information being disseminated and helping them better themselves now, against their current manufacturer Chevrolet? Inconceivable. Preposterous! Yet, it’s true.

WTF???

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Filed Under: Drivers, Features, Greg Biffle, Joe Gibbs Racing #11, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Martinsville, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Roush Racing #16, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 10, 2007
11:20pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Miller + Coors = Morrs?

Across the yahoo feed came this interesting tidbit. Apparently, in order to go head to head with The Busch Clan, the two manufacturers will be combining to produce their products, and streamline distribution. This little ditty will save an estimated $500 million a year, so they say. Coors already pulled their car sponsorship, moving it to an Official Nascar Partnership, so what could happen to the #2 sponsorship? Hmmm. WTF?

Where’s The Post-Race?

Like this needs little introduction. I just absolutely LOVE a 30 second Victory Lane interview with closing credits slipped in. THEN, to top it off, being cut to a #*$@!#^ informercial. A informercial.

If Dave Chappelle were here, you know what he would say. “Man, ESPN is %#*#$!’ up!”

Yep, that they are. If Nascar wants to know why the television ratings are slipping, they have no farther to look than their broadcast partners. It’s about time Nascar put out some minimum guidelines/requirements for covering its top series’.

So, ESPN, WTF?

One more time, in case they’re hiding out in the cheap seats… W.T.F?

Concord Fiasco

So, now that Mayor McCheese over in Concord knows the Bruton Smith isn’t joking, they’re petitioning the Zone and Planning folks to make sure that construction at the current facility can continue. Hmmmm. Guess McCheese realized his meal ticket was on its way out the door, and had a “change of heart”.

WTF? You either stand by your convictions, or you don’t. I guess hit particular eyes are filled with dollar signs. Imagine that. Wouldn’t look to good on a re-elect if you intentionally cause one of your biggest tax payers to hightail it out of town, now would it?

And there ya have it. The WTF’s for this week. Nope, no ‘Dega complaints here. The show went off without a hitch really, and honestly as well as could be expected. Yeah, it snoozed for a good while, but what can you expect? It’ll get better as the information and data on the car comes in. They learned a lot in the last 50 laps, especially about how much they can use that ol’ chrome horn. They know how much they used it, and what it did to the front end. They know better now what to expect with it in a pack with the draft. Patience, Daniel San. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

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Filed Under: Charlotte/Lowe's, Nascar, Penske Racing #2, Talladega, Teams, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 3, 2007
3:41pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Welcome to the first edition of WTF? Wednesday™.

A brief synopsis: Every Wednesday, we’re going to go the extra mile (and possibly throw “the flag”) to ask the all inevitable question that is lurking on everyone’s mind. WTF? If it’s smelling funny, and has to do with NASCAR, we’re going to ask it.

On to this weeks column.

Kyle Bush and his manifold of gold

As you may or may not have heard, NASCAR failed the #5 of Kyle Bush after he swept through (again) to Victory Lane in the Busch Race at Kansas.

They “deemed” his intake manifold to be “illegal”. Yet, here it is Wednesday already and there hasn’t been a word about it since Sunday. WTF?

Hendrick says it’s legit, and that it’s no different than other times. In fact, they even sent one into NASCAR and they inspected it for 2 days earlier last week.

So, what’s “good to go” this week may be “illegal” the next? WTF?

Late this afternoon, NASCAR announced a “fine” of $10,000 for Mike Bumgarner, the crew chief for Kyle Bush in the Busch Nationwide Series for violations found post-race at Kansas.

Bruton Smith “may” build a new “Charlotte”

Bruton wants a drag racing venue at his current location in the capital of NASCAR. Cool, he’s done it at Bristol and Texas to name a few. He gets the required zoning, and begins.

All of a sudden, the City Council (we’re talking Concord, not “technically Charlotte”) decided the other night to overturn the zoning for the area, leaving Mr. Smith in the middle of a project which (currently) can’t be used. WTF?

Supposedly the “City Council” wanted to pull the reins on all the “noise” in the area, as it’s building up around the track in terms of both business and residential neighbors. OK, whatever.

So, Bruton laid out the terms for all to see. If that’s the way it’s going to be, and “noise” is such a concern, I want my tracks together. If I need to relocate my venues to another part of town, I will.

Huh?

Mr. Bruton Smith went on to compare it to a stick/ball team building a new arena in town. It’s still there, just in a different location. This isn’t a ploy or a threat. It’s the facts. If he has to move it to another area of town, he will. He’s already scouting land around the Charlotte area, and I’d bet there’s a few communities welcoming the move with open arms.

So you’ll hear about Charlotte closing, but really it’s just moving to another side of town.

The question is, what would the track be like? Would it mirror the current configuration? Let’s hope not.

Bruton Smith has a few things at his disposal now. He’s got raw data from various sources, and I’d be willing to bet that if indeed a deal can’t be reached, and he does build a new facility, that it will be the best one on the circuit. He knows what is working, and where the future is headed. Expect the facilities to be top notch, and something viable for not only today, but for decades to come.

What about the track itself? Would it be the same thing, or could it be something unique? Here’s a chance to shine. Do something that hasn’t/isn’t being done. Make that track even more special than it already is. 1.5 miles in length? Nah. 2 miles? Maybe, but Michigan and Cali-bore-nia already do it. 1 mile? Dover, New Hampshire. 1.75 miles? 1.25 miles? Hmmm, 600 miles is divisible evenly at 1.25 miles, 1.75 is a tick off, but almost another full lap.

With all the data available, the chance to truly make a “Beast of the Southeast” exists. The fans would dig it (who wants another cookie?), the drivers would dig it, and most of all it would be something different.

We’ll see what happens on that front, but for now in terms of this “out of nowhere” deal, WTF?

Kansas

We aren’t in Kansas anymore, but thoughts sure haven’t left there.

Why was a race that had not a chance of ending before darkness resumed? WTF?

OK, if I had paid to be there, I’d want as much show as possible.

“Technically”, if all the remaining laps went green it could have made the distance. NASCAR isn’t that dumb, so they said we’re going to 225. WTF?

The thing is, when has there been an opportunity to restart a race at all? It would either:
a) go way into the night
b) not enough daylight left, and no lights available
c) wasn’t enough left for it to be worth it.

Kansas was what, 12 or so laps past halfway? NASCAR made the call to continue with as much of a show as possible, which was a good call for fans, just maybe not for your driver. Then again, maybe your driver came out better than if it had been stopped? Then again, the one who would have benefited most from not resuming, ended up with the bonehead move of the race. “Hey Smoke, there’s smoke coming out of your tire.” But, I digress.

Then you have the finish. Biffle cut the motor off coming out of 4 on the final lap, to make sure he had enough fuel to do a burn out. He had half a gallon left, by the way, but NASCAR made him walk over to Victory Lane. WTF? Why couldn’t the guy do a burnout? WTF?

“Da rules” state a reasonable speed, and NASCAR said it was. Some of the competitors didn’t think it was, so they passed under yellow. NASCAR said the field was frozen, so that was that. OK, but also if you pass under yellow, don’t you get a penalty? So if that’s true, and Biffle wasn’t maintaining a reasonable speed (almost half the pace car speed as he crossed the line), then wouldn’t Casey Mears have won with Jeff Gordon finishing second? But, the field was frozen and Biffle maintained a reasonable speed. WTF?

Not even the mighty scoring loops of NASCAR got it right. It had Bowyer listed at 1st, followed by Johnson. Talk about a Charlie Foxtrot drill. Anyone want to wager about a slight modification to the wording in “Da Rules” about this for next season? If there isn’t, we have our last WTF?

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Filed Under: Busch Series, Casey Mears, Charlotte/Lowe's, Clint Bowyer, Drivers, Features, Greg Biffle, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Hendrick Motorsports #25, Hendrick Motorsports #48, Hendrick Motorsports #5, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Kansas, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing #07, Roush Racing #16, Teams, The Chase, Tony Stewart, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





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