Stewart Out, Kahne In But Consistency Still Key, Grubb Out Again
Thursday, September 14th, 2006 12:29pm EDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
[image:365:r:s=1:l=http://thunderlounge.com/articles/nascar/features/the-water-cooler/]This week there was some obvious rumblings around the water cooler. The hot topic was obviously Stewart and his missing the cut, but also debated were Kahne’s Chase birth, Kevin Grubb getting the boot again, as well as the fact that even with the Chase format driver’s still need to be consistent.
Stewart Misses The Chase
[thumb:188:l:s=1:l=http://thunderlounge.com/articles/nascar/features/the-water-cooler/]The biggest upset of the year could be that the defending Cup Champion missed the cut to make the dance. But is that really the case? As pointed out here, Mike Helton said it best, “He’s had 26 races to defend his title.” This after being asked the question of whether or not NASCAR was possibly considering allowing the defending Champion a wildcard entry into the Chase if they didn’t make it in through normal means.
While the 20 team has had some ups and downs this season, many say you can’t put your finger on one specific thing. We beg to differ. Stewart’s temper. Had he not blew up at New Hampshire or Pocono, we wouldn’t be talking about this now. Now with nothing to lose but hardware, and Stewart’s history of becoming even more focused after his temper blows up in his face, you can bet you’ll most likely see him in Victory Lane a couple times before it’s over with.
Kahne Makes The Chase, But Consistency Still Key
[thumb:169:r:s=1:l=http://thunderlounge.com/articles/nascar/features/the-water-cooler/]Stewart’s bad luck gave Kasey Kahne a birth into the Chase for his first appearance in NASCAR’s post-season blitz. At least those crying that it wouldn’t be fair if Kahne missed it because he was leading the series in win’s.
The stunning consensus from our little group was, “So what?”
Their argument is that the driver with the most wins deserves a shot at the title. They question is, why? NASCAR is based on who’s the best overall, not who is the best once in a while. It’s been that way, and looks to continue to be that way.
Look at it this way. Remember Jeff Burton few years ago when he was in the Busch Series on occasion in a green number 9 car? Yeah, the one that said “Gain” on the hood. He was on a limited schedule, but won something like 50% or so (give or take) of the races he entered. Let’s say a team did that in Cup. Ran 15 races and then won 5 of those, which would make them the series leader in wins come Richmond. While it might be unlikely, if the team is good enough it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility. So now you have a part-time team, that probably wouldn’t be in the top 35 in points, and you’d want to give them a Chase spot? Ridiculous. And before we get off of it, I hear the cries that say “Well that’s different!” Is it really? How’s it different? They still won 5 races, which were more than anyone else. OH, they aren’t full time? Ok, let’s then say they were. They win 5, and DNF 21. Still think they deserve a shot? Not really.
When Kahne’s good, he’s really good. When he’s off though, he’s off by quite a bit. That’s why he’s back where he is, and was in the position he was heading into Richmond.
Like it or not, the key to the big picture is consistency. When if you can, but if not then keep it in one piece and get what you can. Winning is the focus, of course. However the biggest thing we all seemed to agree on is that one big difference in successful drivers and those that are less successful is that when the chips are down, you get what you can and don’t force the issue. The saying goes “you can’t win ‘em all”, and the same holds true in NASCAR.
People mock the point system, but how many other sports would like to be based in a similar fashion? Is it perfect? No, but nothing else is either. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing a 25 point bonus for a win, but much more than that cheapens the entire season in my book. Call it a leading the last lap bonus, or whatever.
Kevin Grubb: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
[thumb:358:l:s=1:l=http://thunderlounge.com/articles/nascar/features/the-water-cooler/]What else can you say? NASCAR’s policy in the past has been dupe us once, shame on you. Dupe us twice, shame on us. With that being said, Kevin Grubb has again been shown the door for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. No, he didn’t test positive. After wrecking during last Friday nights Busch race at Richmond he was escorted to the infield care center. Apparently NASCAR asked for a “sample” during this time, but never got one. Grubb wasn’t feeling well, and the next morning went to see the doc. He was diagnosed with a concussion, and claims he doesn’t remember much of Friday night at all.
Now comes the building controversy. NASCAR won’t talk to him, and has told him to talk to their medical liaison in charge of the substance abuse program. According to Grubb, he can’t get a return phone call. He did say that once “conscious” Saturday, he realized what happened and was ready to “go”. However, at this time, it appears that it is too little too late.
With this it is a sticky line really. Do you give the guy the benefit of the doubt, due to the concussion, or do you hold your ground because it could be a possible ploy to have bought a little more time for a substance to work its way out of ones system? This will have to be the call NASCAR makes, and it might not be an easy one. It could also have far greater and further reaching ramifications down the road as well.
It’s sad if it is indeed once again a substance problem. These things can control your life, and wreck havoc. For every story you hear, there are hundreds that you don’t. Some people can handle occasional use, such as with alcohol, while others can not. It’s a touchy subject, and one where there is no true winner.
Wrap Up
Well that’s about it for this weeks discussion highlights, although there seems to have been a little bit of a lull this week and the week before. We’re thinking this is the calm before the storm. Homestead is approaching fast, and so is Daytona. It doesn’t seem like it, I mean hey it’s only the middle of September right? Well when there is so much to get done, and most of it takes considerable time to get done, time can seem very short all of a sudden.
Filed Under: Features, Nascar, The Water Cooler
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I still can’t help but feel bad about Tony. It seemed he just had too many mechanical problems during the last few races, and, in hindsight I’m sure he wouldn’t have switched to a back up car.
Oh yes, and Harvick Won both races at Richmond! Woo hoo!!!
C.Bronco said this on September 14th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
I can’t say I feel sorry exactly, I mean that’s the breaks of racing in the big leagues. It’s kind of like feeling sorry for the team that loses the wildcard race in football of baseball by just a hair. It happens. Regroup, and then try again.
And yes “Happy” certainly did seem rather, well, happy. Of course I don’t know who was happier, Kevin or Jr. The footage of him dragging that cooler up there to start the party was priceless.
I wonder if MasterCard has already contacted him about it? I can see the commercial now…
Top notch race team: $15M.
Coffee at 3am for those sleeplessnights before the chase: $117.
Having a Budweiser as your sponsor, and being able to start the party with enough for all your friends: Priceless.
Luke said this on September 14th, 2006 at 8:22 pm