Coming October 31st…
Friday, September 26th, 2008 10:44am CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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October 31st: Thunder Lounge
Texas Motor Speedway Infield
Live DJ, BYOB
Party ’til the cops send ya home.
Thunder Lounge is not affiliated with Texas Motor Speedway. We just live there 12 days a year.
Look for more details in the next couple of weeks.
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Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup, Texas, Thunder Lounge, Tracks
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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday February 16, 2008
1:00pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Jimmie Johnson
-
2007 Stats
- Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
- Car Number: 48
- Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
- Sponsor: Lowe’s
- Points: 1st :: 6723 :: –
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 4
- Wins: 10
- Top 5’s: 20
- Top 10’s: 24
- Winnings: $7,646,420
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2008 Preview
- Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
- Car Number: 48
- Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
- Sponsor: Lowe’s
Drum roll please…
The 2008 Daytona 500 is just a day away, and we wrap up the past 50 days with our reigning Nextel Cup Champion, who also will be leading the field to the green tomorrow. It should come as no surprise that Jimmie Johnson took the pole for The Great American Race. With that, on with the final post in our countdown to the 50th running of the Daytona 500.
Deja Vu, anyone? That’s what many people had on their mind as Jimmie Johnson tore the Chase up with a record 4 wins in the September “race-off” format introduced in 2004. It was enough to push him ahead of teammate and mentor Jeff Gordon by 77 points when it was all said and done at Homestead and giving Johnson his second Championship in as many years.
What does 2008 have in store for Jimmie Johnson? Who knows at this point. While a repeat title seems unlikely, you never know. You would have to think his luck would run out at some point, and that he wouldn’t “catch as many breaks” when rolling through the pack towards the front. But hey, it’s a toss up at this point and you just can’t even come close to ruling him out as a threat.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #48, Jimmie Johnson, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 1 Day Away
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday February 15, 2008
10:21am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Jeff Gordon
-
2007 Stats
- Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
- Car Number: 24
- Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
- Sponsor: DuPont
- Points: 2nd :: 6646 :: -77
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 7
- Wins: 6
- Top 5’s: 21
- Top 10’s: 30
- Winnings: $7,148,620
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
- Car Number: 24
- Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
- Sponsor: DuPont
What a difference a year makes? No. What a difference a wife, and a life, makes. That’s just how things work in the world of Jeff Gordon. When his personal life is stable and happy, it shows on the track. He tears is up. His marriage in 2006 to super-model Ingrid Vandebosch solidified his private life. It also solidified his on-track performance. When Jeff and Ingrid welcomed in Ella Sofia, it made him even more of a threat on the track.
Scoring the most points in 2007, he was on the typical “get outta my way” roll that has made him famous. He lead the Series in Poles (7), Top-5’s (21), and Top-10’s (30). It was a season the woke up the competition, and reminded them that he was still there. Only one goal wasn’t completed in 2007, and that was the continuing “Drive for 5″ campaign. If 2007 was any indication, he may just be warming up.
Looking ahead to 2008, Gordon has to be one of the favorites for the Title. Fans will tell you he should be looking for his 7th title but this isn’t Winston Cup, as much as many long time fans wish it were. However, all things aside, with the momentum coming from 2007 the 2008 season thus far in Speedweeks looks to keep on rolling without a bump. With a 3rd in his Duel race, and a 4th in the Bud Shootout, the consistency continues.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Jeff Gordon, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams
Tagged As: Bud Shootout, Ella Sofia, Ingrid Vandebosch, Jeff Gordon, Winston Cup
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 2 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday February 14, 2008
9:00pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Clint Bowyer
-
2007 Stats
- Organization: Richard Childress Racing
- Car Number: 07
- Crew Chief: Gil Martin
- Sponsor: Jack Daniel’s
- Points: 3rd :: 6377 :: -346
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 2
- Wins: 1
- Top 5’s: 5
- Top 10’s: 17
- Winnings: $4,215,870
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Richard Childress Racing
- Car Number: 07
- Crew Chief: Gil Martin
- Sponsor: Jack Daniels
What in the world can you say about “Rock Chalk” Clint Bowyer? His 2007 season went from upside down (and on fire, at that) to finish the Daytona 500, to being on top of the RCR stable in the points at Homestead and finishing a very respectable 3rd. Sophomore what?
The 2007 season was both good and bad for everyone in some way, and Clint Bowyer wasn’t an exception to the rule. The 500 wreck wasn’t great, nor was getting into the big pile at Talladega last spring. However, last summer the black Chevy went on a tear, including his first series win at New Hampshire in September. From there, he kept pace with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for the better part of the Chase. Fading late, although barely able to be called such, he put on a show for sure.
For 2008, the outlook is obviously positive. After all, what team doesn’t have a positive outlook for the new season? The majority of his team remains intact, and as long as he remembers the pedal is on the right he’ll be just fine. While RCR, and the rest of the field for that matter, have a little work ahead to catch up to the Hendrick teams but as long as confidence remains high they should be just fine come the checkers at Richmond in September. Of course a little luck wouldn’t hurt, either.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Clint Bowyer, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 3 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday February 13, 2008
12:56pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Matt Kenseth
-
2007 Stats
- Organization: Roush Fenway Racing
- Car Number: 17
- Crew Chief: Robbie Reiser
- Sponsor: DeWalt
- Points: 4th :: 6298 :: -425
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 2
- Top 5’s: 13
- Top 10’s: 22
- Winnings: $6,485,630
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2008 Preview
- Organization: Roush Fenway Racing
- Car Number: 17
- Crew Chief: Chip Bolin
- Sponsor: DeWalt
Mr. Consistency, that’s Matt Kenseth. The 2007 season was no different, and is yet another feather in the cap for the #17 team and their sheet metal pilot. Yes, they fell short of the title by 425 points. No, that’s not a failure. Especially considering two factors. The first being that Hendrick was just that good in 2007. The second being that Jack Roush wasn’t doing any additional testing at non-sanctioned tracks. That all changed in May when Jack caved into the fact that NASCAR actually wasn’t going to police testing at non-sanctioned tracks, and he immediately realized his arm was long enough to reach down in his pocket to fund a test team set-up. Improvement across the board resulted.
The 2008 season brings no new expectations for the DeWalt team. They’ve been expected to contend, and that hasn’t changed at all. What has happened in the off-season though is a new Crew Chief for Matt Kenseth. Surprisingly, at least to people outside the internal situation, was that Robbie Riser announced he would be moving up within Roush and into a Genral Manager position, while Chip Bolin would become the new frontman for the #17 Crew. With the consistency in the pipes at Roush, the job transition went well, and here we are at Daytona.
Look for Kenseth to remain a contender in 2008 with his solid, consistent performances.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Matt Kenseth, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #17, Sprint Cup, Teams
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 4 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday February 12, 2008
10:39pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Kyle Busch
-
2007 Stats
- Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
- Car Number: 5
- Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
- Sponsor: Kellogg’s
- Points: 5th :: 6293 :: -430
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 1
- Top 5’s: 11
- Top 10’s: 20
- Winnings: $4,685,520
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Joe Gibbs Racing
- Car Number: 18
- Crew Chief: Steve Addington
- Sponsor: M&M’s
Wow. Short end of the stick in 2007 or what? Hi, thanks for driving, but you’re getting the boot in favor of NASCAR’s most popular driver.
While many say it’s strictly attitude that cost Kyle Busch his ride at Hendrick, which I don’t deny had a factor in it, what still rolls though my mind with this young talent is whether or not he would still be in that seat this season had Dale Jr. not been on the market. In all honesty, and I may be wrong, I believe he would still be driving for Rick Hendrick.
That aside, when Kyle was good in 2007, he was damn good. What kicked him in the butt finally was that he is his own worst enemy and it starts right below his nose. It’s not really blatant mouth-butter, it stems more from still being young and in that “invinceable” mode. While some people his age are more mature/self aware, some are less. It’s just a part of being young and full of it. He still has some growing up to do, but he’ll get there, settle down, and learn along the way. Such is life when you finish growing up infront of the media.
Looking into 2008, Kyle Busch is rolling right along at his new home with the Gibbs Boys. Smoke leading the way, and an already good friend in Denny Hamlin, the youngest driver in JD’s camp also is the driver that fared best on the track overall in 2007. Kyle seems to be a better fit in that particular crowd than in past years, although the company his former teammates keep would be difficult for just about any driver out there to keep up and fit in with.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #5, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams
Tagged As: Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 5 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday February 11, 2008
10:50pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Tony Stewart
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Joe Gibbs Racing
- Car Number: 20
- Crew Chief: Greg Zipadelli
- Sponsor: Home Depot
- Points: 6th :: 6242 :: -481
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 3
- Top 5’s: 11
- Top 10’s: 23
- Winnings: $6,396,750
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Joe Gibbs Racing
- Car Number: 20
- Crew Chief: Greg Zipadelli
- Sponsor: Home Depot
One race to spoil them all. That’s the summary of Stewarts season. All the hard work lost, the Championship gone all for a strange sequence of decisions by NASCAR.
Wrong. Unfortunately for Tony and Friends that just isn’t the case. While at the time the points would have shaken out quite differently, it wouldn’t be enough to give Tony the Title had things went the other way. Ending the season in the hole 481 points, last I checked the max point difference between 1st and 43rd was almost 500 points.
That is not a discredit to the season ran by the #20 team. They had a really good season, racking up 3 wins, 11 Top-5’s and 23 Top-10’s. That’s damn good in anybody’s book.
Moving into 2008, he was the opposing side in the Kurt Busch Bash during final practice for the Bud Shootout. Moving past that, 2008 is going to be challenging. OK, after the way Tony ran in the shootout, there shouldn’t be a doubt that Toyota will get some wins this season. Combined with Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and dare I say, “How ’bout them MWR Boys?” If only one thing has been learned thus far from Speedweeks, it’s that Toyota isn’t screwing around.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tony Stewart
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 6 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday February 10, 2008
11:47pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Kurt Busch
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Penske Racing South
- Car Number: 2
- Crew Chief: Pat Tryson
- Sponsor: Miller Lite
- Points: 7th :: 6231 :: -491
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 1
- Wins: 2
- Top 5’s: 6
- Top 10’s: 14
- Winnings: $5,287,850
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Penske Racing South
- Car Number: 2
- Crew Chief: Pat Tryson
- Sponsor: Miller Lite
In 2007 Kurt saw 3 different crew chief. Starting with Roy McCauley, who understandably needed some time at home, Troy Raker took the reins until Pat Tryson took the helm at Michigan in June. Tryson stays atop the pit box for 2008, as they work to build on the success they found early on with the pairing.
Of course we’re talking about Kurt Busch here, so we can’t get out of it without some sort of controversy. Starting at Daytona when he and Tony Stewart tangled, it was all downhill from there. Words with Harvick would boil later that spring, culminating in a clash on pit road at Dover last summer with Tony Stewart. 100 points, $100,000, parking for the remainder of the event, and a probationary period later, things settled down a bit.
Welcome to 2008, where practice for the Bud Shootout took a turn for the worse. Tony gets into Kurt, Kurt hits wall, Kurt aggressively doughnuts Stewart on the access road coming to the pits. During practice. A trip to the Oval Office ensued, supposedly Kurt accidentally looked at Stewarts fist a little too close (while in the trailer, although NASCAR is pleading “Vegas” on it), another trip to the trailer the following morning, and all is just peachy now. It isn’t believed that much more will come of this, although if so a potential fine could be laid out this week. Personally, I think it’s over. It wasn’t as bad as some people would have you believe.
Looking past this weeks action, Kurt and Pat look to build on their early success last season and carry that momentum into 2008. Having to rely on his “past champion” provisional for the first 5 races, since Roger Penske transferred his 2007 points to the #77 so that rookie Sam Hornish could make the first 5 races, qualifying day will be interesting for the #2 team for a while. However, it doesn’t seem it will be too big of an issue.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Daytona, Drivers, Kurt Busch, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Penske Racing #2, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tracks
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 7 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday February 9, 2008
11:20pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Jeff Burton
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Richard Childress Racing
- Car Number: 31
- Crew Chief: Scott Miller
- Sponsor: AT&T
- Points: 8th :: 6231 :: -491
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 0
- Wins: 1
- Top 5’s: 9
- Top 10’s: 18
- Winnings: $6,015,670
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Richard Childress Racing
- Car Number: 31
- Crew Chief: Scott Miller
- Sponsor: AT&T
Well, it’s about time the guy who grew up on (we assume) the north side of the house got into the thick of things. Luck was rolling well for Jeff Burton in the Chase, and he looked to be a serious contender for a while. Then of course, lady luck knocks on the door looking for a handout. Which is something we thought inevitible for Chase contenders until last season, more on that in a week, as they all raced their way through to Homestead.
The 2007 season was one which will be remembered for its controversy instead of Burtons incredible 18 Top-10 finishes. With AT&T buying out Cingular and then later on rebranding their wireless service as AT&T, it would seem natural that the logo be changed. Pretty simple, right? Oh no. Hello Sprint, Mr. Shyster, and the rest of the process in raising “the flag”. Yes, you know which “flag” I’m referring to. We’ll skip all the basics, and leave this with the outcome. Sprint finally agreed to allow AT&T back on the car at Richmond (which was surprising to watch transform and see a blank car in practice roll out fully dressed), and would allow them to remain through 2008. Wow, how nice. I’ll cut it there, as I’m not exactly a happy Sprint customer at the moment.
Moving on to 2008, performance is expected to be high again this season. Without many changes to the team, nothing real big anyway, it looks to be another opportunity to finally grab that elusive title for Jeff Burton. Something missing from the Roush days, but definitely not out of the question at RCR.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Jeff Burton, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing #31, Sprint Cup, Teams
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 8 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday February 8, 2008
8:51pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Carl Edwards
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Roush Fenway Racing
- Car Number: 99
- Crew Chief: Bob Osbourne
- Sponsor: Office Depot
- Points: 9th :: 6222 :: -501
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 1
- Wins: 3
- Top 5’s: 11
- Top 10’s: 15
- Winnings: $4,611,970
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Roush Fenway Racing
- Car Number: 99
- Crew Chief: Bob Osbourne
- Sponsor: Office Depot
Welcome back Bob Osbourne. Three wins, 11 Top-5’s and 15 Top-10’s later, Cousin Carl found himself getting back into the thick of it. Much to the sighs of relief from his fans across the nation, including my own mother, Carl Edwards was getting back to his pre-Wally performance level. Edwards flipped for joy, naturally, as I’m sure Jack did as well.
In 2007 Carl had his ups and downs, as did everybody. One such down was the little scuffle with Matt Kenseth last fall, where Edwards was roasted in the media for what honestly wasn’t that. Do you want these guys to have emotions or not? Please make up your mind. While Edwards is normally all goody-goody, it happens to everyone at some point in time. At least he didn’t get all “Cole Trickle” on Kenseth, as he did the year before with a certain Most Popular Driver in NASCAR. Oops!
Carl also took home his first title from NASCAR’s top divisions, winning the last Busch Series Championship by the time August was upon us. OK, not literally, but it was that big of a snoozer in the Drivers Championship. Too bad Roush lost out on the Owners Championship, but hey, you can’t win them all. With this happening on the heels of Kevin Harvick doing the same thing in 2006, it has caused an even further cry for action about Bushwhacking, for which we’ve yet to figure out better term. Nationwide-whacking sounds like a plot line from Natural Born Killers (or worse, for you pervs out there), but I’m sure we’ll come up with something.
2008 hold high hopes for the Office Depot team. Continuing to build on the successful return of Bob Osbourne, a new deal to be signed with Roush, and another run at the Cup Title all come into play. At least Carl has one distinct advantage over his competitiors. While he’s riding around and playing chess in a little over a week, he has a fine collection of artists to listen to from his own Back40 Records.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Carl Edwards, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #99, Sprint Cup, Teams
Tagged As: Cousin Carl
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 9 Days and Counting
