Daytona 500: 4 Days and Counting

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
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

• 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





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday April 2, 2007
1:33pm CDT
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





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday March 28, 2007
2:07pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

There’s your match-up. Well, sort of. Anyone care to take a stab at why there have been “racing incidents” between the Roushketeers and folks in the Toyota camp? Not to mention the two Toy’s in question happen to be from Toyota’s “Flagship” team?

Reutimann played his off as a payback, DJ was just plain pissed off.

However, neither “incident” should have happened.

Here’s your conspiracy. It is a well know, and documented fact, that the ol’ Cat In The Hat despises Toyota’s presence in the Cup Series. Could it be a secret team order to cut Toyota’s absolutely no slack on the track, whatever the cost? Could it be a bump out as innocently as possible directive?

There you have it, for you conspiracy freaks out there. The Roushketeers on a mission to take out or hinder the Toyota’s. Biffle meet Reutimann, Kenseth meet Jarrett. Just in case you’ve missed your formal introductions. Oh yes, and here is our good friend Mr. Fence. Please ensure your Toyota has a pleasant conversation with him.

Of course, this is provided you believe there is this great big conspiracy factor in NASCAR.

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Bristol, Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: You Want A Conspiracy? Here, Have At It

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday February 26, 2007
8:24am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Or perhaps more fittingly it should be Kensethville, CA after Matt Kenseth cleaned house on Saturday and then again on Sunday. And weren’t there some fans worried about Roush?

With a year under their belt with the Fusion, Roush Racing (OK, Roush Fenway Racing) is pulling their act back together. Granted that’s what a few media folks tauted about Yates during Speedweeks, but we refrained from such comments stating that we’re going to give it until later this spring. Of course, that was a good move on our part as RYR didn’t look too good this week.

While Roush is far from the position RYR is in, they were noticeably off their dominant position of 2005 in 2006. Again, we attributed this to the switch to the Fusion. With California being on of the “specialty” tracks, of Roush, their strong runs on Sunday were an indication they were getting things at least rolling in the right direction. We’re still not going to call them “back to 2005″ stature yet, as they also ran well in this even a year ago, but it was a sign and a piece of the puzzle. Had they run poorly, their stability would have most assuredly come into question.

In what was perhaps “Revenge of the NASCAR gods”, Kevin Harvick was the only car late in the going that had a shot and was better than Kenseth. However when Greg Biffle and David Reutimann got together with just under 10 to go, with Harvick beating down the door of the path to Kenseth and a possible close finish, NASCAR put out the red (as is usual procedure in that instance). Coming down the back stretch to take the green for what would be the final time, Harvick’s front left tire went down. Be it from hitting debris or his loan from the 1^st National Bank Of Luck running out, Kevin hit pit road from the second spot as the field came to the green. Leaving his teammate in 2nd followed by Jeff Gordon. Jeff got around Burton, but didn’t have anything for Kenseth.

Call it irony, or the “NASCAR gods” making things right (in some fans eyes), but Kenseth cruised unchallenged to the checkers to make for his 15th Cup win. With the drama of Speedweeks, it was an emotional victory for Matt. One that had water backing up in his eyes. Oh, that’s right, it was “debris” that was choking him up in his post race interview.

So now we head into an off weekend for Cup, while the Busch Series travels down south of the border for the third time, and we get ready around the Lounge for a “big” weekend of our own.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: California, Drivers, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing #29, Roush Racing #17, Teams, Tracks





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday February 25, 2007
8:53am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Is anyone surprised by this? Jeff Gordon being on top at California? You shouldn’t be surprised that he’ll pace the field to the green today, not being the only driver with multiple wins (3) at the track, and a record there that speaks for itself. Then again, overall, it’s tough to find a track where this guy hasn’t had success. What the team has to face now is that no California winner has ever come from the pole. If the Truck or Busch race are any indication, don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.

Mark Martin looked to have the truck race wrapped up Friday night, yet some “inconvenient” contact from Hornaday on the second to last restart put Mark through the grass and opened the door for Skinner to sneak into Victory Lane to give Toyota their second piece of hardware in a row.

Then we have Mr. Roboto here. Patience and keeping up with the track conditions made for yet another Kenseth Busch win. His 22nd win, in 200 starts, in the series came without too much fanfare. Jeff Burton had a pretty fast car, as did Kyle Bush as well. In the end though, clean air and good calls kept Matt in the hunt as he walked off with the win. The only challenge coming from Casey Mears, in the 24’s first appearance in Busch Series competition since 2002, and while Mears made the charge, he needed another 5 to 10 laps. But he was coming though, and it at least provided a little hope of a battle to the checkers. In the end though, Katie was sending text messages on her way to greet Matt in Victory Lane. The interesting battle was actually behind Kenseth as Burton, Edwards, Mears and Bush battled for the spots behind Kenseth. Allowing Kenseth to pull out to a little over 2 seconds, Mears finally broke through and cut Kenseth’s lead in about half in 10 laps. Give or take.

Then we have Mr. Waltrip waiting at the gate. With only one car left to qualify, he was sitting on the bubble Friday afternoon. The remaining car? David Reutimann in Michael’s own #00 entry. One has to wonder what the call is there. Team orders? Do your best and let the chips fall as they may? Both cars having to make it in on speed, one was going home. Reutimann put it in the show, sending his boss to the house for the first time this season and putting the team orders rumor to bed. Unless the team orders are to do your best and let the chips fall where they may.

Toyota again put half its cars in the show. Blaney was guaranteed with owners points from last season, Jarrett used his 2nd provisional, Brian Vickers put his Camry in 15th, and then Reutimann. Essentially the same lineup from Toyota as last week, just swap Waltrip for Vickers.

I don’t see Vickers missing too many shows this season. He’s always been rather good in qualifying, and was at Daytona as well. However, as we all know, Daytona 500 qualifying is its own beast.

So as we head into the afternoon, we’ll have some initial stories to follow. One that deserves mentioning is Roush. Watch that team, and the whole team. McMurray’s always been good here, as have the other Roushketeers. Biffle was taking everyone to school a year ago, until he blew a motor in the closing laps.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Brian Vickers, Busch Series, California, Craftsman Truck Series, David Reutimann, Drivers, Greg Biffle, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #16, Roush Racing #17, Roush Racing #26, Team RedBull #83, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: California Cleanups

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday February 13, 2007
4:58pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Holy cow, man. Here we go…

Roush Racing #17:

• - - Robbie Reiser: suspended 4 weeks
• - - Robbie Reiser: Cough up $50 G’s
• - - Matt Kenseth: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Jack Roush: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #9:

• - - Kenny Francis: suspended 4 weeks
• - - Kenny Francis: Cough up $50 G’s
• - - Kasey Kahne: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Ray Evernham: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham/Valvoline Motorsports #10:

• - - Rodney Childers: suspended 2 weeks
• - - Rodney Childers: Cough up $25 G’s
• - - Scott Riggs: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - James Rocco: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #19:

• - - Josh Browne: suspended 2 weeks
• - - Josh Browne: Cough up $25 G’s
• - - Elliot Sadler: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Ray Evernham: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

As we all know by now, the #17 and #9 were found in post-qualifying inspection, and were found to have made illegal aero modifications.

The #10 and #19 were found prior to qualifying last Sunday.

All infractions were for:

• - - Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing)
• - - Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules)
• - - Section 20-2.1E (unapproved aerodynamic modification)

Oops! See you guys at either Las Vegas or Bristol.

Buh bye now.

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Filed Under: Daytona, Drivers, Elliot Sadler, Evernham Motorsports #10, Evernham Motorsports #19, Evernham Motorsports #9, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #17, Scott Riggs, Teams, Tracks





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