Daytona 500 had it all, but not the greatest ever
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 12:30am CST
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
It’s OK. Throw me under the bus. The 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500 was good. Actually, it was damn good. However, it wasn’t the best ever. It was worthy of being the 50th anniversary though.
The season opener had it all. Drama, strategy, surprises, and [gasp] racing.
The internet trolls will tell you it sucked. Consider the source of that opinion. To them, everything sucks. They long for “the good old days”, yet their memory is clouded with nostalgia. This very well was one of the most competitive 500’s in recent memory. Ignore the fact that the results will tell you that 6 of the top 10 spots were taken by a Dodge. Don’t ask where they came from, we don’t know either. Yet there they are, taking home 1st, 2nd, 5th-7th, and 9th. Round out 2 Toyota’s, a Chevy and a Ford, and call it your top 10.
The lone Chevy? Dale Jr. Ford? Greg Biffle. Add in Smoke and Shrub in 3rd and 4th, and there you have it.
I can only imagine the hearts of the Toyota boys as they came down the backstretch on the final lap. Up to that point, you would be hard pressed to convince a new fan that Toyota wasn’t worth the paper in the Mens Room last season. Kyle Busch was making a scene, as was Tony Stewart. If you take any lessons from this, it better be that Toyota is coming.
However, as with every tale there has to be some drama. As Tony Stewart moved down to pick up his teammate Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman made the charge with his teammate Kurt Busch stuck to his bumper with Gorilla Glue.
The dreams of The Captain, and we don’t mean Morgan, then came true. After all these years, all the trials and tribulations, Roger Penske finally ended up in Victory Lane for the Daytona 500.
It was a typical plate race, chess-like maneuvers and precision positioning for a while, but that’s just the nature of the game. You have to make it to the end to have a chance to win. But the closer you get, the riskier your moves, and if you play your cards right, you win.
Last season, Dodge wasn’t impressive. Pre-season Thunder, still no love. Reed Sorenson showed some promise in the Shootout and Duels, but for most of the 500 Dodge was relatively quiet. They were there at the end though, and Penske has a nice $1,000,000 bonus from Dodge to prove it.
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Filed Under: Chip Ganassi Racing #41, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Daytona, Drivers, Elliot Sadler, Evernham Motorsports #19, Evernham Motorsports #9, Greg Biffle, Hendrick Motorsports #88, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Penske Racing #12, Penske Racing #2, Reed Sorenson, Robby Gordon, Robby Gordon Motorsports #7, Roush Racing #16, Ryan Newman, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tony Stewart, Tracks
Tagged As: Dale Earnhardt Jr, Daytona 500, Elliot Sadler, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Reed Sorenson, Robby Gordon, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500 had it all, but not the greatest ever
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
Friday February 8, 2008
9:25am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Why will Joe Gibbs be as strong and successful in 2008 as they were in 2007? Simple. The differences are slim.
While we all would like to believe differently, and many have came to this unfortunate realization, it is the plain and simple truth.
Between manufacturers, there just isn’t that much difference between cars anymore. Yes, it’s something we’ve seen coming for a while, we’ve had 16 races to get used to the idea, we’ve had plenty of time prior to that to read the cards. It’s happening though, right before our eyes and a further continuation of nothing but a sticker change. Well, that and dropping a different motor under the hood.
The search for proof, like we need it, need go no further than this article on Robby Gordon to see the writing on the wall. That writing is also in bold, italic, underlined, and capitalized letters bigger than Paris Hiltons ego.
It was just a week ago that Robby Gordon announced a surprise move to Dodge.
In that time, a week, he has converted half of his current inventory of cars from Ford to Dodge. Robby currently has about a dozen cars, and growing.
Not to take away from all the hard work the folks in the shop have done, as well as the guys from Evernham that have been helping out, but compared to the time and effort to change the previous car from one manufacturer to another, this seems like a brisk walk in the park.
The time taken averages out to about one car changed per day. Not days, or what used to be weeks, one single day.
Coming around full circle, this is exactly why the Gibbs Guys are not worried about their switch of manufacturer.
They’re real good with motors, and they were already pretty darn good with the rest of it.
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Filed Under: Denny Hamlin, Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #11, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Robby Gordon, Robby Gordon Motorsports #7, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tony Stewart
Trackback URL for: Why Joe Gibbs Will Be Successful In 2008
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday January 31, 2008
2:02pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Kyle Busch took a moment to talk to the media while attending this weeks test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway about several little tidbits. Among those were communication amongst his team and with his teammates, how the car was handling overall, and competing against Hendrick with a new manufacturer.
It will take some getting used to hearing and saying the #18 M&M’s Camry. Although, funny as it is, in the image attached to this article there’s a funny resemblance between Kyle and an old picture of Elliott. Not a whole lot, but a little bit. Maybe it’s the eyes and the angle, I don’t know.
Getting down to business, Kyle made mention that communication amongst his team and across teams was really well. Having already been friends with teammate Denny Hamlin helped on that front, and he made note that the more challenging line of communication would be with Stewart. However, he reports that all is well on that front and that things are really gelling in the Gibbs Camp.
Speaking with regards to the car, he notes that it’s improving. He discussed a few issues with it as well, like losing down force and becoming a little loose behind other cars. While there are still issues with the car, these teams will get it figured out. They are professionals after all, and the more they work and play with it, the better it will become.
Kyle seems to think that while Toyota will be stronger than in its inaugural season, he sees the Gibbs Camp leading the way and being the Toyota’s that can keep pace with Hendrick Motorsports. While test data is just that, it would seem that JD and Co. are playing well in the new sandbox. Not only have they appeared strong, which they should, but there has been a noticeable improvement amongst all of the Toyota’s as well.
Today marks the first of a two day test session at California, and if the previous two tests are any indication, look for Gibbs and their Toyota brethren to continue to draw attention.
Photo Credit: NASCAR.com
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Filed Under: Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Kyle Busch, Las Vegas, Nascar, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tracks
Tagged As: joe gibbs racing, kyle busch, testing, toyota
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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday January 27, 2008
12:02pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.
J.J. Yeley
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2007 Stats
- Organization: Joe Gibbs Racing
- Car Number: 18
- Crew Chief: Steve Addington
- Sponsor: Interstate Batteries
- Points: 21st :: 3456 :: -3267
- Starts: 36
- Poles: 1
- Wins: 0
- Top 5’s: 1
- Top 10’s: 3
- Winnings: $4,329,000
-
2008 Preview
- Organization: Hall of Fame Racing
- Car Number: 96
- Crew Chief: Brandon Thomas
- Sponsor: DLP/Texas Instruments
Mums the word on J.J. Yeley for 2007. While his other two teammates tore it up, and easily made the Chase, J.J. Yeley finished out of the Top-20 (21st driver, 22nd owner) in points. It wasn’t surprising that when a top driver (Kyle Busch) became available, that J.J. Yeley was brushed aside for the hopes that Kyle Busch would be the one to return the #18 team back into the power of its glory days with Bobby Labonte.
For 2008 J.J. Yeley doesn’t necessarily leave the organization as a whole, it’s more like going over to your cousin’s house (for lack of an easier description), as he moves over to Hall of Fame Racing to replace Tony Raines.
Tony Raines kept the #96 in the Top-35, so J.J. Yeley will definitely be in the first 5 races.
As Hall of Fame follows Joe Gibbs to Toyota, after all HoF is a satellite team of Gibbs, there are a few uncertainties. While there isn’t much doubt that JGR will be competitive, can the same be said for Hall of Fame? While one would think that their move should produce similar results, one can only speculate that they really had no other option available to them. They are so deeply embeded into the JGR process, that trying to go against the grain on that would be Top-35 suicide.
Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.
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Filed Under: Drivers, Hall of Fame Racing #96, J.J. Yeley, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams
Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 21 Days and Counting
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday October 25, 2007
5:05pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.
There’s something that has been on my mind recently. It’s killing me, really.
We know that the dominoes have fallen, and that Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Busch, and JJ Yeley will all test with their 2008 teams. That makes perfect sense given the fact that the Car of Tomorrow test at Atlanta will not really yield any information which will benefit teams for the remainder of the 2007 season.
So let’s keep that in mind for a minute as we ask the question: “Will Gibbs show up with Toyota’s?”
The test will be taking place this coming Monday and Tuesday, and is NASCAR’s way of trying to remove a little blindness going into the 2008 season and finally running the COT on a track longer than a mile. Talladega excluded, of course, but we’re talking about the staple of tracks on the schedule. The down force ones.
With the fact that there won’t be much to gain for Phoenix from this test, which is why you’re seeing drivers being allowed to test with a new team, could Gibbs bring Camry’s to the test? Maybe I’m off my rocker, and I’ve seen nothing even hinting to the possibility, but what do they have to lose? Loss of manufacturer support for 3 events? I doubt there’s anything that could save help them by then.
What is left is everything to gained from doing so. Anything that can be gained on 2008 is something to be cherished. Even with all the similarities between manufacturers with the COT, there are still enough differences to drive the need for information.
Michael Waltrip recently came out and mentioned to ESPN that Gibbs is a partial credit for his teams recent performance gains. Of course as soon as that hit the wire the Gibbs folks were in a full denial campaign. I’ll have to cry foul on that one. It is not believable that they haven’t touched a Toyota part, tested Toyota equipment, and at the same time discussed that information with TRD. It’s quite plausible that Gibbs hasn’t given up any of the really juicy details yet, but to think there has been no communication or preparation on Gibbs part is one of the biggest crocks of the year.
So, will they bring Camry’s, or won’t they? Could they pull a Bill Davis and try to mask it with a bowtie on the front?
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Filed Under: Atlanta, Joe Gibbs Racing #11, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tracks
Trackback URL for: Car of Tomorrow Tests At Atlanta
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
Trackback URL for: WTF’s For Martinsville
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday September 28, 2007
1:26am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.
Yeah, the image says it all. I guess Marc might be rubbing off a bit, but this has been wreaking havoc on my brain since it was made public.
I’m not normally one for Nascar conspiracy/tin foil hat slinging/propeller twirling thoughts. But let’s see what you think, as this is killing me.
Let’s start the progression of events. I’m not convinced that everything is all peachy over at the Yates’ place. Not saying it isn’t, and that I’m not off my rocker. But 2+2 != 4 in this case. The publicly known facts just don’t add up. Let’s follow them in the order we found out about them.
Ricky Rudd says he is leaving Robert Yates Racing at the end of the season. Something about retiring is mentioned. (Note, year before last it was taking a break.)
Robert Yates personally calls Kenny Wallace to set up a meeting about driving the #88 in 2008. This took place over Labor Day weekend, that Sunday to be specific.
Ricky Rudd gets hurt that same day, Kenny’s driven the car since. Doesn’t sound like a bad conversation took place, does it?
A few days later, over the Richmond weekend, we get this big announcement: Robert Yates to retire, Doug Yates to the helm and will re-brand RYR as Yates Racing.
Yates Racing will get cars, technical information, etc from Roush Racing. Roush Racing’s development driver, Travis Kvapil, will be headed to the #88.
Woah paint! A week earlier, Robert was talking to Kenny, and yet here’s a done deal with Kvapil? Hmmm, something isn’t right, and Kenny gets the shaft again. Not that it was exactly Hendrick or Gibbs, but it wasn’t ERR or FRR.
Then the silence falls. It was the quiet before the storm.
Last week, Mr. Junior makes his big announcement. The #88 Mountain Dew Amp Energy Drink National Guard Wrangler Trojan Foot Creme Chevy. Or, whatever it was.
Huh? What was that? Um, 88? Didn’t Doug Yates just say a bit ago that Yates Racing would be fielding the #38 with David Gilliland and the #88 with Travis Kvapil? Are we down by the docks? Something smell fishy here folks.
Is the madness over? Oh no. So let’s carry on to the next little tidbit before we fill in the dots.
Mars Inc. (read as Snickers, and M&M’s) announces that it will be heading to Joe Gibbs Racing and the #18 with Kyle Busch. What? Didn’t Interstate Batteries CEO say they were on the hood for 2008 at that press conference? Now they’re backing down? What the…
Are you following me on this? Let me back the truck up so that we have all readers on board with this. It’s time to fill in the dots on this.
Here’s what my mind says went down.
Ricky gets fed up (again), and remembers why he left for the Wood Brothers to begin with. What that is, I don’t know, but Ricky hasn’t looked happy for most of the season. If I was in a bottom end car, from a team that’s supposed to be top end, I’d be a little depressed after a while too. He decides to part ways. He may/may not have been talking to RCR about the fourth car, or potentially another opportunity. Something not at the back of the pack, else he’s headed for the front porch and a glass of tea.
Robert is talking to Kenny Wallace about a job, yet a couple days later it’s filled and all that hoopla. If the position was known to be filled, why would Robert talk to Kenny at all?
Behind the scenes here, Kelly is talking to Robert and asking about the #28 for Junior, and Robert ponies up the #88 instead.
Doug’s been talking to Roush on the side, and was made the offer of a lifetime. While mulling it over, he finds out about the 88 being released by its owner (Robert Yates), gets pissed, and announces the Roush deal. It’s been rumored that Ol’ Jack needs to move a team out of his shop in a bit (wink wink, nudge nudge), so why not make Roush #2 with the same folks he builds engines with. Of course he can’t profit from the teams winnings, but I bet the toilet seats aren’t going to be cheap. With this “partnership” or “leasing” in terms of well, everything, there’s his out when the time comes. But who shall it be? Hmmm…
Robert announces out of nowhere that he’s retiring, (Not wanting any part of that mess, and to spite Doug?)
Why the press release said 88, I have no idea.
Now, Mars/Snickers/M&M’s gets all pissed off because they were quite pleased with the opportunity to work with Kenny. That being sent to the gutters, they opt out on a performance clause, and walk. Can’t go to Evernham (because of Sadler), couldn’t follow Ricky (I’m sure because of a similar clause), so what’s left at the top? Here comes Gibbs, and hey, wanna throw a bone to the Shrub? They bite.
This is one big soap opera.
It may not be in that order, or exactly like that, but it could be close. Just think about it. The scenario of events doesn’t make sense whatsoever.
I can’t imagine Kenny wasn’t open to the idea of a full time ride. It would be higher in the points than FRR was and will continue to be. Not to mention, if it went bad, would he be subbing for Ricky at the moment? I doubt it, as bad as he wants to race.
So what we have here, is something some folks might refer to as a soup sandwich. Then again, maybe some phrase about a football bat comes to mind.
On top of all that crap, Newman/Haas/Lanigan are left out in the cold and wondering what happened? Um, hello, we’re a partnership now, right? Um, guys? Hey, guys? Hello? Buhler?
Something with this deal stinks to high heaven. Even the rats won’t touch it. So what in the world happened? OK, maybe kicking off the #88 wasn’t part of it. Then again, maybe it was and Doug didn’t find out until after California. Who knows? Not me, I’m just filling in the dots on this piece of swiss cheese.
That being said, something just isn’t right about this whole deal. Maybe it was planned all along? Then why the announcement about partnering with Newman/Haas/Lanigan? A decoy? Yeah, whatever. I don’t buy it. Something went wrong, and someone got hurt.
But who? Kenny had expectations, obviously sent awry. David Gilliland? Just a pawn in the game, happy to have a ride. Ricky Rudd? No pun intended. Robert Yates? Shouldn’t his legacy remain as RYR, even with Doug at the helm? That was what it sounded like anytime he mentioned “down the road”.
My thoughts on this are pretty scattered, I know. However, I can’t say that the overall theory is that far out there. There’s much not being told. It’s the kinda stuff that’ll show up on page 385 in a memoirs style book one day. Long after this mess has been forgotten. I can only hope to read it someday, and satisfy my curiosity.
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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Junior, David Gilliland, Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #18, Kenny Wallace, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Ricky Rudd, Robert Yates Racing #38, Robert Yates Racing #88, Yates Racing #28
Trackback URL for: Does This Whole Yates Deal Make Sense?
