No what? No Testing? Mooooooo…
Friday, November 14th, 2008 7:23pm CST
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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The image pretty much sums it up.
NASCAR, you’re f***kin’ up. With a ban on testing at tracks where NASCAR plays ball in any of the touring series (Cup, Nationwide, Trucks, and East OR West), you’ve forced these teams (who are going to damn well test anyway, and you know it) to travel that much further to run a car.
How dumb is that? Pretty lame, if you ask me. Although I bet Andy Hillenburg is chomping at the bit. Silly to add a half-mile right outside the backstretch? I think not.
What NASCAR has done
NASCAR has saved face, and created positive press. Does anyone really think this is going to save anyone any money? Are there tracks out there where the teams can go?
The answers to those questions are, “No”, and “You bet your ass”.
Teams need data to make their cars better. They get the best data from a car on a track, with telemetry.
Ever hear of Texas World Speedway? From their website:
“TWS is located on approximately 375 acres with direct access to Highway 6 south of College Station, Texas. In addition to the two mile “D” shaped oval with 22 degree banking turns with 8 degree banking in the front of the grandstands, TWS is a road racers speedway with a 1.8, 1.9 and 2.9 mile high speed road courses. These are the primary track layouts for TWS; however, there are other layouts that can be customized (for example, a 3 mile grand prix road course).“
Sure is a long drive from Charlotte.
What NASCAR should have done
Ban any and all testing at tracks other than Charlotte, Martinsville, Rockingham. Period. Sanctioned by NASCAR or not.
Let teams test all they want, whenever they want, but keep it close enough to home to make it cheap.
OK, the only real benefit there is Charlotte. There are several short tracks in the area they could test at, and (unfortunately) Rockingham is still fair game.
However, what makes up the meat of the schedule? Mile and a half cookie cutters. Where do teams spend a ton of time testing at? Kentucky. See where this is going? Now those will shift to more runs down in Texas. More fuel, further distance, more days away.
So NASCAR may have put on a good game face for the media, but all we have to say is, “Gentlemen, hit your buttons.”
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Filed Under: Nascar, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup
Tagged As: Bullshit, NASCAR Policies, testing
Trackback URL for: No what? No Testing? Mooooooo…
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday March 31, 2008
4:15pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Come one, come all, come often.
It’s that time of year again, and you can bet your boots that the infamous Thunder Lounge® is headed to the infield of Texas Motor Speedway.
When the sun goes down, the lights come up at Thunder Lounge. Bring your beverage of choice, and come on down. The party will rock into the night as always, as if you miss one minute, you’ll be regretting it.
Starting Friday, find me (Luke) and mention you read our site, and we’ll give you a FREE Thunder Lounge wristband. These aren’t some cheap little thing, they’re the real deal. 100% silicone, and screen printed with a fiery background and the Thunder Lounge logo in blue. A steal at $7, get yours FREE. (Quantities limited, while supplies last. Some will be reserved for both Friday and Saturday.)
For those needing a little assistance, here’s the map to the facility. If you’re not already in the infield, we recommend using the SOUTH tunnel, as it’s open for traffic 24/7 during the weekend. You will need an infield pass, which can be obtained when you walk through the tunnel gate.
The house will be rockin all weekend long, so come on out, relax, and enjoy yourself.
See you at the track!
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Filed Under: Nascar, Nationwide Series, Network News, Sprint Cup, Texas, Thunder Lounge, Tracks
Tagged As: Texas Motor Speedway, Thunder Lounge, Track Events
Trackback URL for: Texas Two Step Time Again
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday February 14, 2008
12:14pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Maybe I’m a little overexcited about this, but damn it, I find these commercials funny.
Is it Warren? Is it Lauren? Well for those curious about it, it would seem that it’s Lauren and apparently he really is a cousin. Well, that’s what several searches come up with, so we’ll leave it at that.
Either way, 2008 brings a continuation to the Lauren drama and, “The schooling’s about to begin, my friend.”
4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nationwide Series
Tagged As: Lauren Wallace, Mike Wallace
Trackback URL for: Lauren Wallace Is Back!
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday January 24, 2008
12:34pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
David Stremme
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Chip Ganassi Racing
- Car Number: 40
- Crew Chief: Steve Lane
- Sponsor: Coors Light
- Points: 24th :: 3163 :: -3560
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 0
- Top 5’s: 0
- Top 10’s: 3
- Winnings: $3,184,560
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2008 Preview
- Organization: Rusty Wallace Inc.
- Car Number: 64 (Nationwide Series)
- Crew Chief: Steve Darne
- Sponsor: Atreus Homes
2007 just wasn’t the year for David Stremme. He was in a Dodge, which suffered overall as a manufacturer, and with an organization that just hasn’t seen much success since Sterling Marlin went on a tear in 2002.
It was announced in October, and rumored for more than a month beforehand, that Stremme was on his way out at Ganassi. This was confirmed when it was announced that the reigning Indy 500 champ Dario Franchitti would take over the ride in 2008.
David Stremme is currently still looking for a Cup ride, although those possibilities not only have Slim packing his bags, but also currently going through security at the airport as he gets ready to leave town. David will however be competing in the Nationwide Series in 2008 for Rust Wallace Inc. in some 20 races in the #64.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Nascar, Nationwide Series, Nextel Cup
Tagged As: Chip Ganassi Racing #40, David Stremme, Rusty Wallace Inc
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 24 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday January 18, 2008
12:25pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Johnny Sauter
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Haas/CNC
- Car Number: 70
- Crew Chief: Bootie Barker
- Sponsor: Yellow Transportation
- Points: 30th :: 2875 :: -3848
- Starts: 35
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 0
- Top 5’s: 1
- Top 10’s: 2
- Winnings: $3,139,810
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2008 Preview
- Organization: Phoenix Racing (Nationwide Series)
- Car Number: 1
- Crew Chief: Chuck Meyers
- Sponsor: Miccosukee Indian Gaming
Johnny Sauter was release from Haas/CNC after Homestead last November. While not the greatest of scenarios, it never is when you lose a ride, at least he finished the season while his former teammate Jeff Green was watching from the couch.
One can only look back at what was accomplished, and ask if the best effort was put forth with the equipment at hand.
Let’s face it, Johnny wasn’t driving for a top contender. However, there were several teams in 2007 that wouldn’t have minded having their problems. At least they kept it in the coveted Top-35.
For 2008, Johnny moves back to the Nationwide Series with James Finch and Phoenix Racing in the #1. Something that should be comfortable for him, as well as competitive. While the potential for title contention is grim, thanks to the whackers, they should be strong amongst the normal crowd.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Haas CNC Racing #70, Nascar, Nationwide Series, Nextel Cup, Teams
Tagged As: James Finch, Johnny Sauter, Phoenix Racing
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 30 Days and Counting
