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  *Comments on the 2014 Kobalt 400:*
  View the most recent comment <#436> | Post a comment <#post>


  1.   RaceFanX posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:35 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

The third race of the 2014 marked the debut of Cup's three-session
knockout qualifying. The previous race at Phoenix introduced knockout
qualifying but only had two sessions.

This is the first time Danica Patrick raced in the Cup series without
GoDaddy on her car. Instead her car featured the blue colors of Aspen
Dental for this race.


  2.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

FOX Sports 1 is on a delay for this session and presumably will be for
every session they televise this season.


  3.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:46 pm
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I don't know what to think of this fo-F1 style Qualifying.


  4.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:47 pm
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Did anyone see how Brad rocketed off pit road. I know it's important to
get off pit road for this knock out qualifying but that there was
dangerous.


  5.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I think this format has promise but could still use some tweaks,
especially when it comes to cooling.


  6.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

This style of Qualifying is too dangerous. Having cars puttering around
at 70, while flying lap cars are doing 180+ is ridiculous.


  7.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 6:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Yeah, they definitely need to get rid of the cars who go around slow and
letting the teams cool the cars on pit road would remedy that issue.


  8.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"This style of Qualifying is too dangerous. Having cars puttering around
at 70, while flying lap cars are doing 180+ is ridiculous."

That and BK's flying exit off pit road to begin the session, I fear it
may be just a matter of time before someone either runs over a car
that's slower than them or worse makes a mistake at one of the plate
tracks and causes the big one.


  9.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:07 pm
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I'm a little nervous about Gordon's run, since he isn't even in the Top 24.


  10.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:09 pm
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Gordon made it to round 2!! *Confetti*


  11.   murb posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:09 pm
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Blaney's team just can't catch a break.


  12.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:12 pm
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The #77 team is cursed. :(


  13.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:15 pm
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Danica is having an excellent Quali session.

And Larson seems to be a lock for Round 2.


  14.   murb posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

I really like this qualifying format, but the way Nascar is handling
this cooling situation is idiotic.


  15.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:16 pm
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Blake Koch, Landon Cassill, Dave Blaney, JJ Yeley, and Joe Nemechek will
not race on Sunday (in decreasing order in qualifying speed)


  16.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Landon Cassill? Ughhhhhhhhhhh........finished 12th in the 500, but
hasn't made a race since. :(
And J.J. Yeley had an AWESOME paint scheme...


  17.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"I really like this qualifying format, but the way Nascar is handling
this cooling situation is idiotic."

I agree.


  18.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:23 pm
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David Ragan: "That's the most dangerous thing i've ever done"


  19.   Anonymous posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:30 pm
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I don't know where everyone else qualified but according to a JG
Facebook account Gordon qualified 15th. There's a big tv delay.


  20.   Cornys posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'd like to see either single car runs return (in person I loved
watching it), or just forget the knock-out part and just have group
qualifying.


  21.   BON GORDON posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:31 pm
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^post #19 is me.


  22.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:37 pm
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Back-to-back poles for Penske as Logano qualifies on point for Vegas.
The last time he won a pole was also the last time he won a race
(Michigan back in August).


  23.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Make that back-to-back front-row sweeps for Penske as Keselowski
qualifies second.


  24.   Anonymous posted:
  03.07.2014 - 7:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (1)

Group Qualifying was Roger Penske's idea.


  25.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

The last time he won a pole was also the last time he won a race
(Michigan back in August).

and his second-to-last win was from a pole in June 2012!

Go Logano!


  26.   BluesTravelerFan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Hey cjs, I'm curious to hear your opinion on the new aero
changes(especially the ride height rule) as I don't think you have
stated it yet. I'm trying to figure out if it's a good thing or not that
the front of the cars are staying glued to the track all they way around
instead of being pushed down from the air. I heard Larry and DW say they
were hopeful that it would help make things more about mechanical grip
and less about aero push during practice earlier today.


  27.   Steven posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:14 pm
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"The last time he won a pole was also the last time he won a race."

No, he won the pole at Chicago last September


  28.   Daniel posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:15 pm
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Go Jeff Gordon!


  29.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:23 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (1)

Well New14 & 88Fan, let's not forget what happened the last time a car
#77 was on that track, and trust me, everyone wants to forget that. And
I've always believed that number has always been cursed, going back to
the days of Salt Walther.

And 18fan and JG24FF, what else are they going to do regarding those
slower cars? Actually, Las Vegas is one of the safer places for that
because at least they have a place to go, unlike other tracks, where
here is next-to-no room to get out of the way.

But I have one other problem with what we're seeing, and if you read my
blog posts this off-season while I was unable to access the regular
comments board, you would know this, and that is that while NASCAR made
changes to the cars, how they qualify, and how they get into the Chase,
they keep neglecting to make the one change most needed, and that is to
slow the cars down. They have to be slowed down, and they have to be
slowed down by about 15 MPH. 193 MPH is far, far too fast for this
track, and they can not race competitively at those speeds. And until
they slow the cars down, the racing will not improve. I predicted before
hardly anyone else did that the racing last year would not be good
precisely for this reason, and if it's possible, 2014 is starting out
even worse than 2013 was. They need to cut about 100-150 HP from the
engines, which will slow them down to 170-180, which is the top speed
they can go and still put on competitive races. And if they're going 193
at Las Vegas, I can't imagine how fast they'll be going at places like
Texas, Charlotte, Kansas, and even Michigan and Indianapolis later this
year. A 200 MPH lap at Charlotte or Texas is not out of the equation,
and they can't race at that speed. And of course, going at that speed
may also compromise safety. That remains to be seen, but there's no
doubt about the level of competition being compromised, because that's
already happened.


  30.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

In using fastest 43: #35 Blake Koch, #40 Landon Cassill, #77 Dave Blaney
Out using fastest 43: #33 Timmy Hill, #32 Travis Kvapil, #9 Marcos Ambrose


  31.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Not a good showing at all from the JGR cars today. Kyle was the only one
who even advanced out of the 1st session and he qualified 20th. Last
year the JGR cars were clearly the class of the field on intermediate
tracks. This year they were amazing at Daytona but very mediocre at
Phoenix. Although his is not a great qualifier, Matt Kenseth has not
come close to advancing out of the first round of qualifying in either
session.

The Hendrick cars have been good but not spectacular, although I would
not be surprised if Johnson came out on Sunday and just blew everybody away.

RCR got 2 cars into the final round plus a satellite car, but, outside
of Newman's run at Phoenix they haven't been impressive this year,
especially at Phoenix.

5 drivers have made the final round in both races: Logano, Keselowski,
Johnson, McMurray, and Almirola, the latter two being somewhat surprising.

I was actually somewhat impressed by Danica today. Not necessarily by
her qualifying position of 22nd, although that is over 9 positions
better than her career average start of 31.3, but the fact that she was
the fastest SHR car in the first round and was faster than both Kurt and
Tony in the 2nd round.


  32.   18fan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:35 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

cjs, if NASCAR let the teams cool the engines on pit road, there would
be no need for the cars to run slow around the apron to cool the engines.


  33.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:42 pm
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"The last time he won a pole was also the last time he won a race.'

No, he won the pole at Chicago last September"

what I meant was the last time he won a race he also won the pole


  34.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 8:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

And 18fan, how would they go about doing that? If thy put more teams and
equipment on pit road, that would be a definite safety risk, especially
since there doesn't seem to be a pit road speed limit for this new
qualifying procedure. But another fear I have regarding this kind of
qualifying is that it may very well lead to an increased number of
mechanical failures, particularly engine failures. Remember that they
still have to run the same engine all weekend long, and now having two
or even three different qualifying sessions in addition to the normal
practice time and the race itself, all with the same engine, likely will
lead to a larger number of blown engines and other mechanical failures
because the engines and other equipment are being stressed more than
ever before, especially when you consider the absurd speeds that are
being turned at the big tracks. That's likely to be a bigger factor this
week than last week, since they were going at a slower speed last week.
I would watch for a higher amount of failures this season than in
seasons past for this very reason.


  35.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.07.2014 - 9:17 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

This is Gordon's nineteenth career 15th place qualifying effort.

This only the second time he has Qualified 15th within the first 5 races
of the season. The only other time he did so was the 2005 Daytona 500.

He has three career wins from 15th: 2005 Daytona 500,2005 Fall
Martinsville and the 2012 Homestead finale.

In 2010 Gordon led an event record 219 laps. But finished third because
of a gigantic strategy botch, during the final pit stop, on the part of
his crew chief.


  36.   murb posted:
  03.07.2014 - 9:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"McMurray, and Almirola, the latter two being somewhat surprising."

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I seriously believe McMurray
can make the Chase this year. Those Ganassi cars look really good so
far. So I think it's very possible for Jamie to nab a win at one of his
strong tracks (Talladega, Charlotte, Darlington, Daytona, Indy) and make
it into the Chase.

And as a big Almirola fan, I'm really excited about the way he's started
the season. The only thing I'm nervous about is that he also started off
pretty hot last year too, only to completely fall off the radar towards
the halfway point of the year. Hopefully things will go differently this
year.


  37.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 9:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

And he wasn't going to win that race anyway, JG24FF. Even if they had
changed four tires, Jimmie Johnson would likely have beat him. And he
might not have won the race off pit road had he changed four tires, even
if everyone else did. That questionable pit strategy did cost him second
place, but Jimmie made several runs at Gordon, but held back and chose
not to try to pass him, which told me then that he pretty much figured
he could beat Gordon anyway. But if he had changed all four tires and
others took two (which likely would have happened), he would have been
beaten as well, because Gordon has never been aggressive in traffic, and
he would have lost too much ground to catch up, so he wasn't likely to
win anyway.


  38.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.07.2014 - 10:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

cjs, the issue that coincides with the cars going faster is that a
majority of the intermediate tracks have gone through either a recent
reconfiguration or repaving. Goodyear in turn then puts out a tire that
won't wear as much so that a tire is less likely to pop when someone
goes into turn 1/3 at 200+ mph. So these cars aren't just going 10-15
mph faster than they should for a lap of qualifying or the first lap of
a run, now they drive that speed for the first half of a fuel run. The
best intermediate races in my mind in 2013 were California and Atlanta
where they haven't repaved in ages. In California's case, the freshest
asphalt is on the inside of the backstretch.

And I'm 99% sure the pit road speed applies for qualifying; both
entering and exiting.


  39.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.07.2014 - 10:19 pm
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"I hate to sound like a broken record, but I seriously believe McMurray
can make the Chase this year. Those Ganassi cars look really good so far."

I stand by what I said 2 months ago: Kyle Larson will make the Chase
this year. Like you said, Ganassi's cars have shown to be very strong so
far, and there are several non-plate tracks on the schedule that I think
Larson will run well enough at to contend for a victory (including
Bristol next week).

My amended prediction for the 16-driver Chase after 2 weeks:

1. Jimmie Johnson (5 wins)
2. Brad Keselowski (4 wins)
3. Kyle Busch (3 wins)
4. Kevin Harvick (2 wins)
5. Matt Kenseth (2 wins)
6. Denny Hamlin (2 wins)
7. Joey Logano (2 wins)
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1 win)
9. Carl Edwards (1 win)
10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1 win)
11. Jamie McMurray (1 win)
12. Kurt Busch (1 win)
13. Kyle Larson (1 win)
14. Parker Kligerman (1 win)
15. Clint Bowyer
16. Jeff Gordon


  40.   Cornys posted:
  03.07.2014 - 10:25 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@ 29

I agree that the speeds are too high, but I'd rather see it happen
through downforce reduction. Here's how it would work with HP and downforce:

Downforce: Competition is less aerodependent. Corner speeds are much
lower. Top speeds are slightly lower. Terminal velocity (important to
drafting) is higher or the same. Thus drafting is less important at
tracks other than plate tracks. Contact and rough driving are more
likely. Cosmetic damage becomes less of an issue. Tires can be softer
and wear more quickly.

Horsepower: Competition is just as aerodependant or more. Corner speeds
remain high. Top speeds are lower. Terminal velocity is lower. Thus
drafting becomes much more important at non-plate tracks (maybe even
require to win races if the changes are extreme. Contact and rough
driving are still highly discouraged. Cosmetic damage remains a major
issue. Tires remain hard and wear slowly outside of a few rough surfaced
tracks.


  41.   Cornys posted:
  03.07.2014 - 10:31 pm
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I got it! Ban grill tape in qualifying :D Problem fixed. I wonder how
teams will cool their brakes and motors in qualifying at Martinsville if
nothing changes (kidding about the brakes)


  42.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 10:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

so, if Larson wins at Bristol where are Stenhouse, Kilgerman and Kurt
going to win since you predict 1 win each

I read a rather interesting and funny Conspiracy theory about the 2010
race, the reason why there was that electrical issue after that restart
was because Biffle passed Gordon who was in a Hendrick Car. the lights
got screwed up to give Gordon a chance to pass Biffle again and give
Hendrick the win


  43.   Num1hendrickfan posted:
  03.07.2014 - 11:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Stenhouse could surprise people and win at Vegas this weekend, Roush
Fenway Racing does have the most wins at the track. Followed by Hendrick
Motorsports. The odds also favor that the winner most likely won't com
from the from row, although Brad or Joey could buck those odds for only
a second time at the track.


  44.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.07.2014 - 11:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

But Cornys, they have to reduce the horsepower before they can even
start about taking away downforce. Remember 1998? They took away
downforce from those cars by raising the front valance to 5" off the
ground and reduced the height of the rear spoiler to 5", the so-called
"5 and 5 rule", without taking horsepower away, and that ended up being
a disaster. I agree that they should take downforce away from the cars,
but they have to take about 100-150 horsepower away from the engines
first, otherwise, it's going to be a repeat of 1998 in terms of the
quality of the racing, if not worse. The reason the cars have to be
slowed down is because the faster they go, the more track they need to
keep them off the walls, not to mention the fact that the faster they
go, the worse the aero-dependency becomes. You slow the cars down 15 MPH
by taking 100-150 HP away, and then if the cars drive too easy to drive
at the reduced speed, then you can toy with the aerodynamics to make
them harder to drive. But racing at 175 will always be better than at
190. History shows that. It was even getting bad at Daytona prior to the
return of the restrictor plates in 1988 because the cars couldn't stay
close together.

And also, while Atlanta has always been good, mainly because the track
chews up tires, California was not much of a race last year until a late
caution bunched and jumbled up the field. Of course, we all know what
happened from there.


  45.   JP88 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:17 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Boy I'm scared to watch qualifying...I just keep having thoughts that
someone is gonna cause a wreck off of 4 leading someone to go flying
through the grass and hitting the parked cars on pit road (tracks
without pit wall)

Anyone ever get this feeling? and why hasn't NASCAR thought about this
before, even in single car runs. It seems so unsafe and it might not be
changed until something happens unfortunately


  46.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:29 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm not sure how long you've been a fan of racing JP88, but more than 20
years ago, they used to have the apron at Indianapolis, and once you
exited the pits back then, you were essentially in the racing groove
entering turn one (since cars used the apron all the time from the late
80s through the early 90s, when it was removed), and it was a
near-miracle that no slower vehicle leaving the pits was ever struck by
a faster car on the track. One of the scariest such incidents took place
late in the 1989 Indianapolis 500, when eventual winner Emerson
Fittipaldi almost ran into the back of a safety vehicle in turn one
under caution late. A couple of years later, Buddy Lazier nearly spun
into a slower car in turn one during a practice session. But I can
almost guarantee that there will be problems with faster cars running
into slower cars on the tracks where there's not much room to operate.


  47.   Watto posted:
  03.08.2014 - 2:58 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Well New14 & 88Fan, let's not forget what happened the last time a car
#77 was on that track, and trust me, everyone wants to forget that."

The 77 has run in Nationwide and trucks @ Vegas since the tragic day
that you're referring to


  48.   Watto posted:
  03.08.2014 - 3:02 am
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also in regards to slowing these cars down, the answer isn't all about
horsepower. If the cars are going slower on the straights but are
retaining the same center speeds with the same aero package, the racing
isn't going to be suddenly amazing. Draft will be more of a factor,
though. Talk to any Cup driver, and what they want is big horsepower low
downforce as far as actually being able to race other cars. Lower
horsepower with high downforce is just not ideal as far as racing is
concerned.


  49.   Watto posted:
  03.08.2014 - 3:28 am
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and to continue on (sorry for my 3 posts in a row here):

Certainly, there's a happy balance to be wanted. However, my favorite
races to watch have always been in low grip/high horsepower settings.
Less downforce is simply less grip, but you need it balanced where
there's just enough spoiler and just enough everything else. Atlanta
2011 - Jimmie Johnson/Jeff Gordon brawling = one of my favorite races of
recent memory. Tire spin, lack of lateral grip, lots of horsepower,
ability to use multiple grooves without progressive banking making the
low line a huge disadvantage... yes, please. Take away 100-150
horsepower, and we start getting dangerously close to Nationwide
territory which is simply a brick on bigger tracks. As it is, guys like
Brad Keselowski continue to point out that the cars have become more and
more easy to drive by themselves and harder to get anywhere in traffic.
The fact that they increased the spoiler for this year worried me.
Hopefully the front end changes has a positive effect, though.


  50.   MarkMartinFan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 6:23 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

" "Well New14 & 88Fan, let's not forget what happened the last time a
car #77 was on that track, and trust me, everyone wants to forget that."

The 77 has run in Nationwide and trucks @ Vegas since the tragic day
that you're referring to "

What happened? I think I missed something.


  51.   joey2448 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 7:34 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Man, no one's mentioned Jeff Burton's qualifying effort? The guy's been
off taping NASCAR America shows so far this year, and comes to Vegas and
easily makes it into the second round of qualifying? A 19th-place run
ain't too shabby...


  52.   Spen posted:
  03.08.2014 - 8:29 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

He's talking about Dan Wheldon.


  53.   NazRacePhan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 8:54 am
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#39... Kligerman with a win>???? huh?? LOL.... what track?


  54.   NazRacePhan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 8:55 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

(plus your win total adds up to 27)


  55.   luigistarted06 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 9:21 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The owner points for qualifying changes to this years for next week,
right? I know back in the day it started the 6th race, but I think they
changed it...?


  56.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.08.2014 - 9:21 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"so, if Larson wins at Bristol where are Stenhouse, Kilgerman and Kurt
going to win since you predict 1 win each"

Stenhouse wins at one of the cookie cutter tracks (my prediction is
Kansas), Busch wins at either a cookie-cutter or at Indy, Kligerman wins
at Talladega.

"(plus your win total adds up to 27)"

Whoops, you're right. Drop Johnson's win total to 4.


  57.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 10:49 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

But Watto, if you took away downforce and kept the horsepower what it
is, the cars would virtually be undriveable. And not just that, but
they'd actually be going faster down the straightaways because they
would have less drag, and the possibility of cars getting airborne when
they did spin out on the higher speed tracks would also increase. I
believe the reason NASCAR went with the bigger rear spoilers was to
increase drag, which would slow them down on the straightaways, while
allowing them to handle better in the corners. But if you took away
downforce from the cars without decreasing the horsepower, they would
actually create lift, meaning the rear wheels would be of the ground,
even in a straight line.

And at Daytona, we saw what could happen, even with the best drivers,
because even the best guys were spinning out on their own, simply
because of air. And they run smaller spoilers at the plate tracks. When
someone like Jimmie Johnson simply loses it on his own at Daytona, as
was the case in the Unlimited, that's a pretty good indication that
running a smaller spoiler just won't work at the high-speed,
high-downforce tracks, mainly because a car can lift the rear wheels of
another car off the ground without even touching it if the downforce
level is reduced at the speeds they're going. They're practically doing
that now. That's why the horsepower needs to be reduced either before,
or at the same time that downforce is taken away. But if you take
downforce away at the speeds they're going without taking horsepower
away, nobody will be able to control the cars, and cars will be spinning
out left and right.


  58.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 11:37 am
   Rate this comment:      (4)      (0)

"When someone like Jimmie Johnson simply loses it on his own at Daytona,
as was the case in the Unlimited, that's a pretty good indication that
running a smaller spoiler just won't work at the high-speed,
high-downforce tracks, mainly because a car can lift the rear wheels of
another car off the ground without even touching it if the downforce
level is reduced at the speeds they're going. "

Ignoring the fact that Jimmie Johnson has "simply lost it on his own"
more than the rest of the champions in Cup history combined...


  59.   Sarf52 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I was thinking about this new chase format, and I realized Marcos
Ambrose has a great shot of making the chase despite his complete
ineptitude at ovals lately. He could easily grab a win at a road course
venue, and despite it being more likely he finish 25-26th in points,
he'll be locked into the chase. This is a pretty good example of how the
new chase system is flawed, and needs to be scrapped next year. Wins are
what counts but they should not carry much weight at all in deciding a
champion.


  60.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Am I the only person puzzled by Ambrose's decline? The first few years
he showed a slow but steady growth; he looked set to be a Chase
contender. Now we're wondering if he will start in the top-30 on any
given track.


  61.   TS1420 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Penske front row for the 2nd week in a row.
Jack Roush has to be fuming over the performance of the Penske Ford's so
far this season.

"And also, while Atlanta has always been good, mainly because the track
chews up tires, California was not much of a race last year until a late
caution bunched and jumbled up the field. Of course, we all know what
happened from there."

I thought the California race last year was really good from green flag
to checkered flag. Of course that final caution helped turn things up to 11.
But then again I thought the 2012 race was pretty good before the
rain-out and most people thought that was a bad race for some reason.

"Ignoring the fact that Jimmie Johnson has "simply lost it on his own"
more than the rest of the champions in Cup history combined..."

I was thinking this same exact thing when I read that post NRF.
If Jimmie doesn't have a 100% perfect super-mobile, there is a very good
chance he will lose control and spin out.
Hell. Even when he has an untouchable race car he can still lose it
(Kentucky 2013)


  62.   DB1995 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 12:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

There is a guy on NASCAR.com's comments that honestly believes Kyle
Busch is doing a good deed racing in nationwide by provifding jobs for
people, while Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are just collecting checks!


  63.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 2:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Well NicoRosbergFan, the reason Johnson loses it more than others is the
very thing that gives him an advantage, and that has to do with how
loose his cars are set up, in relation to the competition. But that has
nothing to do with Daytona, since car setup is of minimal importance
there. The alarming thing is that drivers of that caliber lose it on
their owns because of the smaller spoiler that is used both there and at
Talladega, which illustrates why they can not take downforce away from
the cars with the horsepower they have at the "open" tracks.

And also, I'm not at all surprised about what's happened with Ambrose,
since I felt he should have been replaced after underperforming in that
car last season. So his terrible start should com as a surprise to
nobody, because he was often uncompetitive in the #9 car, while Aric
Almirola was competitive in the #43 car on numerous occasions. I truly
believe that this will be Ambrose's last season in that #9 car unless he
steps it up. The question becomes, who would replace Ambrose in that car.

And TS1420, should anyone be surprised that Penske would outperform
Roush. After all they outperformed Roush all last year, and they're
doing it again. The secret lies in Penske's more aggressive engine
setups, which give the Penske cars more horsepower than Roush, even
though they use the same engines. Roush's cars have to handle almost
perfectly to make up for their HP deficit. The real head-scratcher here
has been the drop in the performance of the #21 Wood Brothers car,
because while they're not contenders for a win and rarely are in
contention for a top ten, they've fallen off the face of the Earth, in
terms of the speed of their cars. I know they're effectively an extra
Roush team in the races that they compete in, but the falloff in their
performance is noticeable this year.


  64.   Kenny posted:
  03.08.2014 - 2:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

f**k me Austin is 4th and sorry I was gone the power was out all day
yesterday(and still is kinda)


  65.   Quasar posted:
  03.08.2014 - 2:24 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Glad to see Burton back with a decent qualifying run but I don't expect
a lot out of him this weekend, he's been slow on Vegas the past few
years, his worst track performance wise in 2013. Great practice speed
for his teammates though, Bowyer & Vickers might contend for the win
tomorrow.

About Ambrose, I'm not that surprised to see him struggle but they
probably keep him because he's great on the road courses. He seriously
needs a new crew chief though.


  66.   murb posted:
  03.08.2014 - 2:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

I think Ambrose should just go back to V8 Supercars after this year.
He's gotten two career Cup wins, which is quite an accomplishment for
any foreign born driver. He's clearly not getting any better on the
ovals, so it only makes sense for him to go back to Australia.


  67.   Eric posted:
  03.08.2014 - 3:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I was shocked by Ambrose decline based on what he did with the 47 team.
I am not shocked what is doing this year though.

I thought before the season got started that Ambrose is in danger of
losing his ride.

Who replaces Ambrose after the season is a question mark based on the
development drivers Petty has isn't ready for cup and Bayne isn't the
answer due to his medical condition. The only thing I can think of what
Petty would do is offering a ride to Biffle. The problem with that is
Petty is a step down from Roush and I know Biffle is still in contract
talks with Roush.

I mentioned Biffle because Biffle at this point of his career is great
for a cup a seat warm for development drivers.


  68.   18fan posted:
  03.08.2014 - 3:50 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I agree about the California race last year being a good race for the
entire distance, especially having been there. Yes Kyle Busch and Joey
Logano combined to lead 166 of 200 laps, but there was a bunch of good
racing throughout the day throughout the field. And the last 30 laps,
even though there were multiple cautions, were fun with about 5
different tire strategies going on at the same time. If you are looking
for a California race that wasn't very good and salvaged by the ending,
then 2011 is your race, because nothing really happened until the battle
between Kyle, Jimmie, and Harvick in the final few laps.


  69.   RCRandPenskeGuy posted:
  03.08.2014 - 7:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Fontana last year was awesome. That track has built itself from a boring
racetrack to one that produces good racing. Too bad they'll probably
repave it at some point and start this cycle over again.

Those Penske cars are getting off to a fantastic start this year, Hope
they keep their current strength the whole season and not fade like last
year.


  70.   Eric posted:
  03.08.2014 - 8:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Fontana hasn't been repaved since it was open in 1997 and that was the
same year as Atalanta gave repaved. I'll be shocked if Fontana doesn't
get a repaving job or Atlanta before 2027. I think ISC and SMI is asking
for trouble if Fontana and Atlanta doesn't get repaved by than based on
what happened to the 2010 Daytona 500.

The major concern with doing a repave on Fontana is the potential speeds
of the track based on what happened to Michigan. There is a possibility
of a qualifying speed over 200 MPH once Fontana gets repaved based the
track record happened last year at 187.451 MPH. That means Fontana has
the same potential for hitting the 200 MPH mark as Texas, and Charlotte
will by the time Fontana gets repaved.


  71.   DB1995 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 8:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

If Ambrose leaves the 9, I could really see either Sam Hornish Jr. in it
or Bring Allmendinger back. Neither of which i think would be a HUGE
improvement


  72.   Eric posted:
  03.08.2014 - 9:50 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

DB1995,

I don't see Petty bring Allmendinger back based on the history AJ had
with Richard Petty. Remember Allmendinger had an incident at the 2010
Coke zero 400. They exchanged words with each other and Allmendinger
also stormed away from Richard Petty from the same incident.

That means there is bad history between Allmendinger and Richard Petty
and I am sure Richard doesn't want hire A.J back as a result.


  73.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.08.2014 - 10:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Not to mention the 1978 Daytona 500, the spring race at Martinsville in
2004 and the 2005 Coca-Cola 600, Eric. All those races had problems with
the track coming apart. At Daytona in 1978, much like 2010, heavy rains
during SpeedWeeks, combined with the age of the track surface was to
blame. At Charlotte in 2005, the grinding of the track was to blame, but
what happened at Martinsville in 2004 remains one of the great mysteries
in the recent history of the sport.

Now as for Fontana and Atlanta getting repaved, which is overdue for
both facilities, Fontana doesn't figure to have the same problems that
caused the track coming apart at Daytona in both 1978 and 2010, but of
course, there's another problem there regarding any kind of asphalt or
concrete surface, and that is the high potential for earthquakes, which
is something that can not be forecasted, and that could damage the track
surface more than anything could. Atlanta is another story, because they
can get virtually any type of weather there, from snowstorms (as has
been experienced this winter) to stifling heat to hurricanes and
tornadoes (one damaged the seating at Atlanta Motor Speedway several
years ago). But both tracks really do need to get repaved. One thing
about recent repaving projects is that they have tended to hold together
for much longer. Only in the last year or two has Darlington showed
signs of returning to what it's always been known as, a low grip, tire
eating track, and the surface at Charlotte has lost very little of it's
grip in the over eight years since it was repaved after the disastrous
races of 2005.


  74.   Watto posted:
  03.08.2014 - 11:22 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

As cjs pointed out about Jimmie Johnson, his likelihood to spin a car
out has a lot to do with how aggressive he sets his cars up. The more on
edge your car is, the easier it is to step over your edge.

cjs - you make good points, but I'm somewhere in the middle in my
stance. The spoiler height at Daytona/Talladega would be too short for
intermediate tracks - I certainly agree with that. However, I think
there's a happy balance to be made. Many drivers thought last year's
spoiler height was too high, and yet this year they went even taller.
When NASCAR held the tests at Charlotte over the winter to test
different combinations, drivers who ran the "low downforce"
configuration found the package to be incredible. Rookie Parker
Kligerman was one of the drivers to try the low downforce setup and felt
the car raced incredibly well and was the way to go. When I look for low
downforce, I'm definitely speaking in a "relative" type of fashion. They
certainly can't go and run the Daytona spoiler everywhere, but there's a
happy medium in between what they have now and how low they can go. They
need it high enough to have air hitting it, needless to say.

When drivers like Keselowski talk about this current car being the
easiest he's ever driven in his life on the Cup level, I think that they
can afford to give up some downforce. I think it's not even a question -
last year they had a shorter spoiler than this year and drivers last
year thought they had too much spoiler. They can afford to go shorter
than last year's spoiler as long as they don't overdo it. I've heard
drivers talk about the rear quarterpanels being too large as well, which
creates a lot of sideforce. If we look at the 2007 Cup car, pre-COT, the
horsepower numbers were roughly 20-40 less than what we have now and the
cars had even less downforce than we have now. If they give up some
horsepower to the current gen6 car, I just really hope they don't give
up 100 or more... that would be too much IMO.


  75.   Watto posted:
  03.08.2014 - 11:23 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

and to add on to that, certainly a worn out track surface probably does
more for racing than the aero package can, but I certainly think there
are gains to be made in the aero package.


  76.   Cornys posted:
  03.08.2014 - 11:44 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@44

I was too young to remember or understand anything in 1998 (4 years
old), but that is interesting to hear about. The speeds are certainly
too high, but I think that reducing speeds alone would not help (see
Nationwide Series).

Exactly what would it take to make air on the car a disadvantage rather
than an advantage? I think we know the answer to this question. I've
mentioned it before, and it's terminal velocity. Cars run at this at
plate tracks and the racing is very tight. Make the cars run at terminal
velocity towards the middle/end of the straights on speedways and I
think the racing would be great there. Cutting power would go a long way
to this goal, but drag would help in the same way. Both would be
required to get the desired effects.


  77.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 12:03 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I agree that adding drag would help the racing out a lot.
Just look to the Truck Series and the old CART Hanford Device races at
Michigan/Fontana.
And if NASCAR ever decides to tone down the horsepower, hopefully they
do it with a new smaller engine package and not their half-assed pseudo
restrictor-plate tapered spacer neutering.
The tapered spacer lessened the quality of racing in both the Trucks
(minorly) and Nationwide (majorly) when they mandated them in both series.


  78.   Watto posted:
  03.09.2014 - 12:13 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"The tapered spacer lessened the quality of racing in both the Trucks
(minorly) and Nationwide (majorly) when they mandated them in both series."

Different engine package as opposed to tapered spacer making the same
horsepower = same result.

"Exactly what would it take to make air on the car a disadvantage rather
than an advantage?"

It should absolutely never be a disadvantage to have clean air on the
car. To get that effect, it literally would have to turn into a draft
race where you can't drive away from cars even if your car is way
better. To create incentive to NOT lead would be an awful thing. It has
to be approached at the angle where cars rely on mechanical grip more
than aero grip. as opposed to going the power route where we just take
away as much power as possible until the driver has little to no effect
on how the car runs during a race.


  79.   Watto posted:
  03.09.2014 - 12:14 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

What I'm getting at is that they need to keep trying to even the playing
field so that dirty air isn't a momentum killer, but that clean air
isn't a momentum killer either.


  80.   Anonymous posted:
  03.09.2014 - 1:08 am
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

Go watch a race from 1998 and I guarantee it would be better than any
2013 or 2014 race. NASCAR should be so lucky to have their racing return
to the quality it was back then.


  81.   Spen posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:41 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I agree. I was just watching the 1998 Texas race. Yeah, clean air was a
factor, but if your car was good enough, you could still pass. Two tires
was a good short-term gain, but you'll still lose to fresher tires. At
the time, we thought it was awful, but compared to today, 1998's racing
wasn't all that bad.


  82.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 9:25 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Watto, the car is easier to drive, partially because of the bigger rear
spoiler. There's no doubt about that, but I think the bigger rear
spoiler is there to add drag to slow the cars down in a straight line
and increase any potential effects of the draft because a bigger rear
spoiler helps to punch a bigger hole in the air for trailing cars to
draft off of. That's why the big spoiler has always made racing at
Daytona and Talladega better than a smaller spoiler. But the big spoiler
is not the only reason why the cars are so much easier to drive. Other
reasons include softer tires than they used just a couple of years back,
as well as the fact that the cars are lighter than they've ever been
before. Part of the reason for the insane speeds we're seeing is that
when they introduced this car last year, they also made the cars 200
lbs. lighter, which will naturally make them easier to drive and
increase the speeds. That's why I say while horsepower needs to be taken
away to slow the cars down, they also need to make them harder to drive.

And TS1420, if they do go to smaller engines, as they did in the 1970s,
they would have to phase that in slowly, which is one reason why there
were a variety of engine rules packages from 1971-'74 to phase in the
current engines over a prolonged period of time. NASCAR knew they could
not do that all at once, so they went to restrictor plate in the second
half of the 1970 season, but in 1971, allowed cars that ran smaller
engines to run without restrictor plates (like the 305 C.I. engine the
winged Dodge Mario Rossi ran with Dick Brooks in the 1971 Daytona 500).
They also added weight breaks for cars with smaller engines, which was
one reason why Bud Moore decided to go with a 351 C.I. engine when he
returned in 1972. They used different kinds of engine restrictions on
the bigger engines in 1973 and '74, and by 1974, most of the teams,
especially the GM teams, ran the smaller engines, which either ran with
a bigger restrictor plate, or no plate at all, while the Dodge teams ran
the bigger engine with the smaller restrictor plate. That resulted in
some incredible racing in 1974, despite there only being five winners
that season (Petty, Pearson, Yarborough, B. Allison, and Earl Ross), but
also a lot of squabbling. Then for 1975, NASCAR came up with the rule
limiting engines to 358 C.I., the rule to this day.

But that transition put a number of highly successful teams out of
business, and other teams boycotted races due to being unhappy with the
rules, not to mention bring a power vacuum to the sport, as most of the
races during that time period were won by just three teams, Petty
Enterprises, the Wood Brothers, and Richard Howard's team with Junior
Johnson. And if NASCAR ever decided to reduce the size of the engines
again, they'd have to do the same thing, and phase in such a change over
a period of years, which would likely mean restrictor plates everywhere
for engines of the current size, with breaks allowed for smaller
engines, with the smaller engines likely being mandated in four or five
years after such a program started. And a number of successful teams
might very well be put out of business if another such transition took
place, and I don't think NASCAR would want to chance that at this time,
considering that there are only about 20-25 competitive cars right now.


  83.   BluesTravelerFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 12:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

cjs3872: The Spock of NASCAR fans.


  84.   The Sound posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Granadilla has signed Dylan Kwasniewski to a development contract.


  85.   The Sound posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Autocorrect! I meant Ganassi


  86.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:08 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I don't know about that, BluesTravelerFan.


  87.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

To the back: #30-Parker Kligerman (engine change) He blew up at the end
of Happy Hour.


  88.   Anonymous posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm hearing that Landon Cassill might leave the 40 team and focus on the
01 Nationwide car for the rest of the season.

I'm also hearing the 77 & 87 teams might shut down.


  89.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:56 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Well we know that Jamie Mcmurray probably won't drive for Ganassi next
year, I would bet money Ganassi will rush Kwasnieski to cup like he did
Larson


  90.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"You have to lose a championship to win one" is what Darrell just said.
I'm pretty sure Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt never came close to
winning a championship before winning one.


  91.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 2:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I feel sorry for that cameraman who is having to follow Michael, he's
like 2 feet shorter than him

and Michael is probably in much better shape


  92.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

DB1995,

I think you are off base on Jamie Mcmurray being gone after this season
at this time. There is 2 reasons I am saying this.

The first thing is Jamie is having a good start to the season right now
10th in points besides showing speed on the first 2 non plate tracks.

The other thing is Kwasnieski needs a mentor as a driver. Kyle Larson
can't fit the role next season and that means Jamie has to stay for
another season. Ganassi using Jamie as mentor for Kyle Larson and it
would make sense for him to mentor Dylan as a result.


  93.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Ganassi signing Dylan Kwasniewski to a development contract actually
helps out the future of that organization. I don't think Chip is going
to get a rid of Jamie Mcmurray after this season. Right now Jamie is
10th in points and qualifying well with 1 top 10 finish. This weekend
Jamie's car has in the top 10 in all 3 practice sessions.

What I really think Ganassi has in plans for Dylan is being part of a 3
car cup team organization since Dylan brings a sponsor with him. I hope
Chip isn't going to rush him. I think Ganassi has a chance to be very
good cup organization if Kyle Larson and Dylan Kwansiewski pans out.


  94.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Oh my God!
The most interesting man and most boring man at the same place at the
same time.
This is like Superman vs. Evil Superman.


  95.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Chip Ganassi=Talent Rusher.


  96.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I agree with Eric. Larson and Kwasniewski could be a great combination
down the line. Their cars are improving, and they have a great mentor
driver over there in Jamie McMurray. So I think Ganassi could definitely
be a team to watch in the future with these young drivers.


  97.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

18fan, Brad Keselowski never came close before winning his either.


  98.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@78

Just because clean air is a disadvantage doesn't mean that drivers would
want to be behind the leader. A good enough car could still break away
from everybody else with cornering ability. Air isn't going to be the
only factor like at the plate tracks at smaller tracks regardless.'

I think the best possible solution would be special packages at
different tracks. Short track package could be given low downforce. Flat
tracks could be given something different that would improve racing. 2
mile tracks might run the intermediate track (1.5 mile) package. Indy
and Pocono could have something that reduces aero-push as much as
possible (because it's terrible at Indy.. TERRIBLE).

Anyways, the race is about to begin.


  99.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

To the back: #9 Marcos Ambrose-Engine Change, #26 Cole Whitt (it said on
the coverage that he had to go to the back, didn't hear why)


  100.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski is sliding backwards early.


  101.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:20 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Brad K got lose in turn three and dropped back to about 6th as a result.


  102.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:20 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Johnson already up to third.


  103.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:25 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

And.. the gap of the day looks to be once again between .6 and .7
seconds. At the front of the field that gap seems to be consistent.
That's the point at which aeropush begins just like last week. Listen to
the cars as they go by. A similar gap back from one to the other.

Logono extends his lead here early as DW attempts to pronounce
"statistics".


  104.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Caution.


  105.   Anonymous posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

A start and park car blows an engine. That's a new one.


  106.   Rusty posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Josh Wise blows up.


  107.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Expired engine count: 1 (@ lap 20)


  108.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Well, a legitimate excuse for a S&P car lol.


  109.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

2 team what are you doing?


  110.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski, David Ragan, and Travis Kvapil stay out.


  111.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I don't forsee staying out being a good plan Brad


  112.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Good job Almirola! Now if only you would have spun her out....


  113.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Going into this commercial break, the gap between 1st & 2nd is .6
seconds. 2nd to 3rd? .6 seconds.

vroom, .6 seconds, vroom, .6 seconds, vroom, .6 seconds, vroom.


  114.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski continues to hang onto second despite not pitting.


  115.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Caution saves BK and Tony.


  116.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Caution out for "debris".


  117.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Faux caution?


  118.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Brad K/Tony Stewart benefit caution.


  119.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Debris. Not a bad race so far, but also not a good one either.


  120.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Numbah10hatah, were you not here when we all decided we wouldn't cheer
for wrecks. This caution was a little to timely for Stewart.


  121.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Joey gets 4 tires and he's now in the middle of dirty air. Have fun with
that.


  122.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

DB1995: Tbh, no, I wasn't. I don't usually go on this site during the
race. Btw, when was that?


  123.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:50 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

https://twitter.com/FakeCautions/status/442748322797719552


  124.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Reason for #26 Cole Whitt being sent to the rear: Backup car.
Official cars to the back:
#30-Parker Kligerman (engine change)
#9-Marcos Ambrose (engine change)
#26-Cole Whitt (backup car)


  125.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Check-out this tweet :D

https://twitter.com/FakeCautions/status/442748322797719552

I sent this once, but I'm not sure it sent the first time.


  126.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Stewart is running 40th, 11 seconds off the lead. If he doesn't have car
trouble, then that's pretty pathetic.


  127.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Danica is outrunning her boss...


  128.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 3:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Numbah10hatah, back around when Jason Leffler died


  129.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kyle Busch is on the move. He's up to second.


  130.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Oh, I see.


  131.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:03 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kurt Busch knocked one of Reed Sorenson's tires outside of his pit box,
but Sorenson didn't get penalized. What up with that?


  132.   BON GORDON posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Not gonna lie but I didn't expect Gordon to run this strong today. I
figured he'd run around 15th place all day. Track position is key today
no doubt....I guess like every race.


  133.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

Nationwide regular is leading cup race, can he upset the cup guys? Lol


  134.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The penalty for the tire is end of the line, which wouldn't be much for
Sorenson at this point in the first place. That and it wasn't Sorenson's
crew's fault by any means.


  135.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:08 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The #98 is back on track... Wat?


  136.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Brad is moving back forward now


  137.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Fox Sports learning well from NESPN to just show Danica whenever she
gets lapped


  138.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Are the pit reporters on break or something?

Also, "that Nationwide Insurance race"-Larry Mac


  139.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kyle Larson gets a speeding penalty.


  140.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Also, "that Nationwide Insurance race"-Larry Mac"

I think he's the one that also coined the "Preliminary Cup" term, so I
would much rather hear it be called the "Nationwide Insurance" race.


  141.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

F**k me, Kyle Larson got hit with speeding on pit road! That's a
talented kid, he just needs to learn to be consistent with things like
that. I wish Austin Dillon would get a speeding penalty.


  142.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (1)

Kyle Busch's lead is now over four seconds. Wouldn't be surprised to see
a "debris" caution in the near future...


  143.   Larry McReynolds posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:24 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Brad Keselowski won the Nationwide Insurance race yesterday.


  144.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:25 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Harvick is on a charge right now. He just blew by Jimmie Johnson and is
closing in on Kyle quickly.


  145.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:25 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Casey Mears with an on-board camera? AWESOME!!!!!!


  146.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kyle might have a flat tire.


  147.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

What happened to JoLo?


  148.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Wow. Earnhardt Jr is on a charge.


  149.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Harvick has caught Kyle.


  150.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

This is really one of the worst races I've seen Stewart drive in his
career.


  151.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski bumps the wall.


  152.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

It's amazing how well Harvick's car is driving while the other 3 SHR are
mediocre to terrible.


  153.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski hit the wall, he might have a tire going down.


  154.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski is in the wall. This comment board seems really quiet...where
is everybody??


  155.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Harvick is going to be a championship threat if he keeps running like
this week in and week out. The other three SHR cars...look just plain lost.


  156.   Rusty posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

All the SHR cars except Harvick are out to lunch.


  157.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Logano, like Brad took 4 tires and hasn't fully recovered from two stops
ago


  158.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Harvick now to the lead.


  159.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

"Keselowski is in the wall. This comment board seems really
quiet...where is everybody??"
Sleeping, I guess. Vegas is horrible to watch.


  160.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Rusty: Danica is always out to lunch.


  161.   epzik8 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The three Hendrick cars behind Kyle Busch are all faster than him right
now.


  162.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski came through the field after taking 4 tires much better than
Logano.


  163.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Shocking news: No one has S&P'd yet.


  164.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

It's mind boggling that Harvick is a consistent front runner while the
14 & 41 look lost every week.
Stewart I can kind of understand (been out since August, still
recovering from an injury, new crew chief).
But Busch the past two years had done more with less and now that he has
more, he is doing less.


  165.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

It is mind boggling how much better the 4 car is than every other SHR
car. Even the 48 has never had this much of a gap on his teammates.


  166.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:40 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

To me it's not really a surprise that Harvick is the only SHR driver
contending. That's exactly what I predicted would happen. Stewart is
just clearly not the same after his leg injury, Danica is Danica, and I
think Kurt is having a multitude of problems (rookie crew chief,
potential Indy 500 distractions, etc).

The only thing that needed to happen for Harvick was for him to click
with Rodney Childers, and that seems to be happening. So he's the only
SHR car that's worth a damn so far.


  167.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:41 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Stewart shouldn't be in the car, ill just say it now he had car troubles
at Daytona, but he sucked at Phoenix and really bad today


  168.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:42 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"It is mind boggling how much better the 4 car is than every other SHR car."

Yep. Especially when 2 of the other drivers have a combined 4
championships and 72 wins. I think Kurt will pick it up, though. Maybe
even next week at Bristol.


  169.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:44 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Fine comedy from the orange cone, @TheOrangeCone: Stenhouse too fast
entering. Danica heard laughing, saying "better than too fast exiting."


  170.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Another debris caution. At least it's for an actual piece of debris.


  171.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

This has been a typical Las Vegas race.

Also, Larry Mac applauds the LVMS staff on the full grandstands.. while
cameras show a lot of the red, white, and blue grandstand seat backings
around the start/finish line area.

At least we've only had 1 fake yellow flag.


  172.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Legit debris caution.


  173.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Oh, never mind.


  174.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Stenhouse too fast entering. Danica heard laughing, saying "better than
too fast exiting.""
A-ma-zing. Literally rofl.


  175.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Looked like a piece of grill tape.


  176.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Harvick says he hit the debris hard.


  177.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Shocking news: No one has S&P'd yet."

Going by last year's results, the cars that S&P'd made 65-70K, the cars
a few positions above that were running at the end made around 90K; even
the small single car teams not in the NASCAR owners circle.


  178.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:50 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"This comment board seems really quiet...where is everybody??"

It's Las Vegas. Not really one of NASCAR's most anticipated event.

"Stewart shouldn't be in the car, ill just say it now he had car
troubles at Daytona, but he sucked at Phoenix and really bad today"

I would say he sucked at Phoenix. He had made his way in to the ten top
and been running there for a while before a caution put him a lap down,
a four tire stop that put him back about 20th & a bunch of cautions near
the end before he could receive the (marginal) benefit of four fresh tires.


  179.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

^wouldn't. I hate this keyboard....


  180.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm going to call that last caution a fake caution. It was a light piece
of something that was hit without causing any problems.


  181.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The Weekly Danica Patrick Update, presented by FOX.


  182.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Nice run for The Mayor. He's been hanging around 20th pretty much all day.

Speaking of Burton, it's really weird for me to see one of my all time
favorite drivers driving for my least favorite team.


  183.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I take back what I said. Fox is now gloating about Danica being a lap
down in the mid 20s.


  184.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Danica is racing with her teammate for position. According to FOX, this
is a good sign of progress.


  185.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Oh. My. God.
Danica just passed Kurt Busch.
I bet the f-bombs are a flying on the 41 radio.


  186.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 4:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"I'm going to call that last caution a fake caution. It was a light
piece of something that was hit without causing any problems."

It caused Harvick a moment of concern, so I'm going to say it was a good
call.


  187.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:00 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

McDowell is the only car out of the race at this point.


  188.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:00 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Danica's doing okay today. 2nd best SHR car.


  189.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Paul Menard is the fastest car on the racetrack right now.


  190.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Menard has the fastest car on track right now according to the Live
Leaderboard on NASCAR.com.


  191.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Clean air is amazing for a car


  192.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kligerman is having all the bad luck he can have...


  193.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:03 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Menard is about to blow past Kyle Busch.


  194.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:03 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Paul Menard running solidly in 5th. Remember when people used to call
him a talentless ride-buyer? Oh wait, they still do?


  195.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:03 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

What happened to McDowell?


  196.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Paul Menard of all people is coming.


  197.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

It is the way the Leavines S&P. They run to around halfway.


  198.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Basically it looks like whoever has clean air at the end of the race is
going to win.


  199.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Nevermind. According to Leavine Family Racing's Twitter account
(@LeavineFamily95) the engine let go and they lost the oil pressure.


  200.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (9)      (2)

"What happened to McDowell?"

Jesus called and asked for his car back.


  201.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"According to Leavine Family Racing's Twitter account (@LeavineFamily95)
the engine let go and they lost the oil pressure. "
Half hoping it's true and they are full-distance, full-season. Half
hoping it's false and they don't have to repair it.


  202.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:08 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"Basically it looks like whoever has clean air at the end of the race is
going to win."

Yep. NASCAR fixed nothing with their "fixes".


  203.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Horrible runs for the Roush cars.


  204.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Long Shot: THAT. WAS. GENIUS.


  205.   RaceFanX posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Jimmie Johnson and his crew helped paint the "Kobalt Tools 400" logo on
the infield in the lead up to this race. The task was a promotion for
the Kobalt Tools they used and required 315 gallons of paint.


  206.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Menard legitimately might have the best car on track right now.


  207.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Baby Warbucks going after Nap-Time!


  208.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Something is wrong with Harvick.


  209.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Harvick has major problems.


  210.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Harvick with issues.


  211.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Engine problems?


  212.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

So Menard is battling for 2nd, now that Harvick is out.
Go Paul!


  213.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Saw Johnson and Menard blow by a black and white car and I thought it
was Harvick.


  214.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

RaceFanX: HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT?????? DID THEY SAY THAT DURING THE
RACE??? And also, Harvick dun' blow his motor!!!


  215.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Welp. The SHR Curse has finally found Harvick.


  216.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Menard to the lead. Childress and Cowboy Hat are fuming.


  217.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

It's the battle of the home improvement stores!!!!


  218.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I wouldn;t be dissapointed in a battle between Menard and Keselowski for
the win


  219.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Menard is trying to pass Johnson for the lead.


  220.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Has Menard ever taken the lead under green before outside of a plate
track? Serious question.


  221.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Not too fast. NOW Menard to the lead.


  222.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Cue banjo.
Save big money at Menards!!!


  223.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Has Menard ever taken the lead under green before outside of a plate
track? Serious question. "
Bristol last year maybe?


  224.   SpeedWorld97 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Perhaps Paul Menard's best race in his career?


  225.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I think Menard's passed for the lead at Bristol before...correct me if I
am wrong.


  226.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Engine problems are now up to 2 in this race. Now is when the problems
will show themselves.

Paul Menard takes the lead.


  227.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

LOL, Danica is now the top performing SHR car.


  228.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Has Menard ever taken the lead under green before outside of a plate
track? Serious question."

Yeah, he led a bunch of laps at Bristol one year (it was either the 2012
Spring race or last year's Spring race).


  229.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sorry, engine problems are now to 3.


  230.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

nvm, that was during a pit stop.


  231.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Wonder if Harvick's engine wasn't experimental. He's already in the
chase and has nothing to lose.. :)


  232.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:17 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"Has Menard ever taken the lead under green before outside of a plate
track? Serious question."

Yeah, he led a bunch of laps at Bristol one year (it was either the 2012
Spring race or last year's Spring race).

Spring 2011 and Fall 2013


  233.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:18 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

You know, seeing Dale Jr's car really makes me thirsty for a Kickstart.


  234.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:18 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The on track racing today has been below average, but this has become a
fun little strategy race.


  235.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

"Wonder if Harvick's engine wasn't experimental. He's already in the
chase and has nothing to lose.. :)"

Or it could have been Rick Hendrick hitting the secret "Blow Up Engine
Button" since he was running ahead of Jimmie...
*puts tin-foil hat on*


  236.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:20 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

They say it's a problem with the left front hub on Harvick's car.


  237.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:20 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

So, researched a little and he did. 4 times 2010 Michigan, 2011 Bristol
spring, 2012 Michigan fall and his win at Indy.


  238.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:21 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

"The on track racing today has been below average, but this has become a
fun little strategy race."

Don't worry. Jacques will show up with 20 to go and ruin that.


  239.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:22 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Don't worry. Jacques will show up with 20 to go and ruin that."
NO, don't do it, please.


  240.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:24 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (1)

"Don't worry. Jacques will show up with 20 to go and ruin that."

Mike Helton: Wait a minute... Keselowski or Paul Friggin' Menard might
win this race over Johnson? We can't have that! Cue the yellow!


  241.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:24 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Okay, Onion, would you rather have Kevin Conway in there?


  242.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:24 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Twitter reports that Ambrose is done pitting for the day. Win or lose.
There is no place. (I'm tired of this stupid stuff already, but I'm
afraid I'll have to put up with it for a while).


  243.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Bruton Smith Torpedoes His Credibility Yet Again" caution.


  244.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Jacques is back again...


  245.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

"Okay, Onion, would you rather have Kevin Conway in there?"
What?
BULLSHIT YELLOW.


  246.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Die, b@stard debris


  247.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The Paul Menard Empire has to be pleased with how their man is running
right now.

Caution for debris.


  248.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Dang it TS1420, you jinxed it!!!!!!!


  249.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Another piece of tape causes a caution...


  250.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Someone opened a box and threw the packing tape on the track.


  251.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Junior stays out and is now the leader. Look for him to be nearly
untouchable now that he's in clear air...


  252.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Not sure whether taking tires is a good idea here.


  253.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

And if JR runs out and Meanrd wins everyone will call it a fluke, saying
he won on fuel mileage...


  254.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Onion, anytime Dale Jr doesn't win, it's always a fluke.


  255.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

I didn't jinx it.
We all knew it was coming.
It's right in the NASCAR playbook.
"Section 4.51: If a race is coming down to an interesting mix of
strategies where there might be a surprise winner, throw a caution and
re-establish the status quo"


  256.   RACIN GARDNER posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (4)

Its funny listening to you guys moan about cautions. Used to care about
bs cautions and the contrieved nonsense that NASCAR is today till around
2008, then stopped watching most of these races. Guess what? No longer
care.

One day things in stock car racing will return to what they were, and
when it does i'll be back at it again


  257.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

"Section 4.51: If a race is coming down to an interesting mix of
strategies where there might be a surprise winner, throw a caution and
re-establish the status quo"

Right next to:
"Section 4.52: All drivers are not allowed to say the truth about the
mismanagement of the sport"


  258.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Holy cow! JG just had a good restart?!


  259.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (4)

NO. EARNHARDT JR. CAN NOT WIN. I DON'T NEED JR NATION GOING OFF ON
EVERYBODY AGAIN.


  260.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Menard blew it big time.


  261.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Lol @256 his birthday was two weeks ago


  262.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:34 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

And Section 4.53: "Anytime Jimmie Johnson/Dale Earnhardt Jr./Danica
Patrick is in danger of going a lap down, throw debris caution"


  263.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:35 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

I have gotten a lot of flack for saying it, but haven't I been saying
that Junior's consistency is indicative of him being the best driver of
the last 2 or 3 years?


  264.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:35 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Seriously hate this clean air stuff. Jr and Edwards (with no tires) are
now the fastest cars on the track just because they are out front.


  265.   @Fake Cautions posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

@DaleJr I'm here for you man. #JrNation I've got your back.


  266.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Hendrick must be steaming right now...

Dos Jotas is the worst car from his shops right now.


  267.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Hello clean air....
I swear even one of the BK Racing cars or Danica could get out in front
on old ass tires and pull away from the rest of the field on newer tires.


  268.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:37 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

While Menard and Kyle, the legit fastest 2 cars, are battling for what?
4th?


  269.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

Clean air is a good thing when it works to the advantage of a driver I
like, particularly Dale Earnhardt Jr. #NASfact


  270.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

And suddenly, Kyle's speed drops off.


  271.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm definitely starting to regret changing my pick to win from Junior to
Bowyer...

And I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'm rooting for Menard.


  272.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Props to Allmendinger, who is still on the lead lap. Did he get an LD or
just is fast?


  273.   Rusty posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Kurt had good cars at Daytona and Phoenix but bad circumstances that led
to bad finishes, his car is just crap today.


  274.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:40 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

#256

Well, I guess we're never going to see you again...


  275.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:41 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Ryan Newman is randomly in 6th all of a sudden.


  276.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:41 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

COME ON. ANYBODY BUT JUNIOR. I DON'T NEED 883110FAN RUBBING IT IN MY FACE.


  277.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:42 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

^Poor b@stard...


  278.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:42 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

That Lowe's commercial with the fan was pretty neat.


  279.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (9)      (0)

With Junior up front, I bet NASCAR turns a blind eye to legit reasons
for cautions the rest of the way.

DW: Boogity we got a car upside down and on fire boogity!
Larry Mac: NO CARITSHUN WIT' TEEN TER GO!!!
Mikey: I want to kiss Fiddy!


  280.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Here comes Keselowski...


  281.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Timing and scoring is @ss backwards right now.


  282.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

The 98's still running?
Someone must've locked Phil Parsons in a porta-john.


  283.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:44 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

This race is so lackluster that even NASCAR.com's Live Leaderboard is
all wonked up right now.


  284.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The #98 has a sponsor. Don't diss them, basically every car in this race
wants to run the full race each time they can afford it.


  285.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Keselowski will win if it goes green.


  286.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Ryan Newman is randomly in 6th all of a sudden."

That's been Newman's thing the last few seasons.
Don't see nothing of him for most of the race other than getting lapped
or about two get lap, then after the last set of pitstops is randomly
running top five/ten.


  287.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

In Brad's first two career wins, Dale Jr. finished second.

Are we gonna see a reverse of that today?

Also what happened to Carl, he's really going backwards.


  288.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Come On Brad!!!


  289.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Two cars in 4th. Timing and scoring is going bonkers.


  290.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Fuel happened to both the #99 and the #88.


  291.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Brad's there.


  292.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Brad has nearly caught Junior.


  293.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The #98 has a sponsor. Don't diss them, basically every car in this race
wants to run the full race each time they can afford it.

Well that's good to hear. Some cars have picked up sponsorhip and still
park it after a fuel run for some random issue.


  294.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Josh Wise has Ambient Edge HVAC as a sponsor. Didn't you see it on Jayski?


  295.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Suddenly I find myself rooting for Menard and Newman.


  296.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Can Keselowski break the .6 second wall and pass Jr?

Spell check wanted me to make Keselowski into Slow Poke oddly. :D


  297.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Jr. should just run hard. If he runs out in 4 he probably still gets a
top 5.


  298.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Hell bent for leather June Bug.


  299.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:50 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

How about Paul Menard? I can't give enough props to him. 3rd place.


  300.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Leaders: 1st; 2nd and 4th.
Good job with the leaderboard...


  301.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:51 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Battle for the lead!


  302.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

It looks as though we will not be able to break the .6 second barrier
unless JR runs out of fuel. Clean air is more of an issue than last year.


  303.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Junior vs Brad for the lead.


  304.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

...I guess Paul Menard doesn't matter.


  305.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Jr runs out, Brad wins.


  306.   DB1995 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! f**k
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!


  307.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

2011? Coke 600 all over again for Jr.


  308.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Junior sputtered, and Keselowski passes him to sweep the weekend's races.


  309.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Damn!


  310.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:53 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

At least we've seen a fully deserving driver win. Each of the 3 races
this year.


  311.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Smart move by ducking down on the backstretch and not getting run over.


  312.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Oh, yeah... this one deserves a blog post.


  313.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

Brad did a great job of running Jr just hard enough to make him run out
of gas.

Great run for Paul Menard.

Mediocre race.


  314.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Props to Menard as well. Hell of a run for the #27.
Well done for Allmendinger too holding onto the lead lap.


  315.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

The finish was somewhat tense...but that still doesn't make up for the
fact that this was QUITE a lackluster race. What more could you really
expect out of Vegas?


  316.   RCRandPenskeGuy posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:55 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

YES! Brad wins! Dale Jr ran out of gas going into Turn 3, shades of the
2011 Coke 600. Jr's got that 2004 look to him though.


  317.   New14 & 88Fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:55 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Happy for Brad, bummed for Dale Jr.

Heck of a job by Paul Menard finishing in third, this could be a banner
year for him.


  318.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:56 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Can't wait for Bristol next week though. I've enjoyed all of the races
on the NEW new Bristol surface, so I think it's gonna be an awesome
weekend.


  319.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:56 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

AAAAHHHH!!!! This is Charlotte 2011 all over again!!!


  320.   SpeedWorld97 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Man that was close...oh well. When you're pretty much in the chase it's
worth a shot.


  321.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

"Can't wait for Bristol next week though. I've enjoyed all of the races
on the NEW new Bristol surface, so I think it's gonna be an awesome
weekend."

+ F1 and the 12 hours of Sebring too.


  322.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski in the Miller Lite car had the Coors Light onboard camera?


  323.   Schroeder51 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Yeah, already looking forward to Bristol. The last few races on the
"new" Bristol have been pretty fun, so that race should be pretty good.
It certainly should be better than this one was...

...but then again, I've been let down before!


  324.   Jim Davis posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

How does Stewart finish 4 laps down? Is SHR spread that thin?


  325.   The Long Shot posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

This wasn't a great race, but it wasn't really that bad, either. The
varying pit strategies towards the end made it more enjoyable than it
would have been otherwise.

Call me overly optimistic, but I think the fact that this race was
easily the worst of the year speaks volumes about how improved the
racing has been this year.


  326.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 5:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Keselowski in the Miller Lite car had the Coors Light onboard camera?

They merged.


  327.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:00 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I think Keselowski blew his motor during the burnout. Notice the hood
puffing out smoke where cars normally overheat.


  328.   SpeedWorld97 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:00 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Overall it was a terrible race, but great finish.


  329.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:01 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm not sure anyone has had as good a start as Dale Jr. in recent NASCAR
history. Average finish of 1.67.

Gordon started out the 1997 season with 2 wins and a fourth with an
average finish of 2.


  330.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Terrible race, exciting finish. At least Formula 1 starts next weekend.
They have lower power, and I'm looking forward to that.


  331.   SpeedWorld97 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:03 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"+ F1 and the 12 hours of Sebring too."

Next weekend is going to be awesome! I'm anxious to hear and see the new
F1 cars.


  332.   Peter posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Is BK using the retro miller lite scheme all year? 'cause I thought it
was only for the unlimited


  333.   BluesTravelerFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Ifvit hadn't been for the Daytona 500 victory, I would be pretty steamed
about now, but since he did win it my attitude us aw shucks right now.
Although to bevfair, he was really only in that spot because of the
clean air with the strategy. Okay race overall, agree with murb about
Bristol, I personally thought the night race there was the best race if
last year. Congrats to Brad and his fans.


  334.   BON GORDON posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Average race at Vegas....good finish. A little disappointed in Gordon's
finish. The strategy just didn't work out. Jeff and team #24 had around
a fifth or sixth place car and finished 9th. I guess after my early
expectations, 9th is a solid finish. Good start to the season for
Gordon. All four Hendrick cars in the top ten.


  335.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I think this really was the worst race I've ever seen Tony Stewart
drive. He couldn't even make it out of the 30s all day.


  336.   mowman posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:05 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

What a terrible winner interview of Brad in victory lane by Fox. Sure
wish speed was still around.


  337.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (4)      (0)

I prefer the white scheme Brad has been running to the scheme they ran
last year.


  338.   Aaron posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

If Dale Jr. hadn't won the Daytona 500 a couple weeks ago, I'd be on
suicide watch after all these close calls. As it is, it was a good
gamble. He wouldn't have gotten a top-5 otherwise.

2014 season finishes for Dale Jr.:
Daytona: 1st
Phoenix: 2nd
Las Vegas: 2nd

2014 season finishes by me (driving the 88) in my friends' online racing
league:
Daytona: 1st
Phoenix: 2nd
Las Vegas: 2nd

Hoping I win Bristol tonight to boost Dale Jr.'s chances :D


  339.   BluesTravelerFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:08 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

That post had atrocious spelling, I'm still getting used to posting on
my new phone, apolgies for that.


  340.   Chad's Hair Plugs posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Looking forward to seeing the owners points and if any big teams are
gonna be on pins and needles going to Bristol next week. I know the #10
car was 41st going into Vegas, but they finished 21st today so they'll
probably not be in trouble.


  341.   JP88 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Wow...so close...but I had a feeling it was gonna happen and my dad even
said watch him run out off of 2 on the last lap way before they said he
was a half a lap short.

But I'm so excited for this year, he is just running awesome.


  342.   epzik8 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Nice to see Brad win another Cup race, and like some other people have
said, it was basically a repeat of the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 for Dale Jr.
But he still finished second. Other than the finish, it was a pretty
uneventful race.


  343.   Jaws_fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

I think Tony's leg is hurting more then he admits


  344.   NadeauFan91 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

Damn, Jr was so close! Oh well, I can't complain. Kes won and he still
finished 2nd. He's on his absolute A-Game right now.


  345.   Cornys posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Apparently Larry Mac loves where NASCAR is right now... GREAT! :X


  346.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I thought that the long green flag run in the middle of the race was
pretty good racing with Harvick, Kyle, Jimmie, Junior, Jeff, and Brad
swapping positions for a while. Other than that, it wasn't great,
especially watching Kyle fade the way he did.


  347.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

Decent/good finish to a mediocre race.
-Bad Brad wins and put himself in position to make the chase and give
Johnson fits again.
-Feel bad for Junior, but still one hell of a start for the 88 team.
-Penske is on a roll to start the season while Ford flagship team
Roush-Fenway has been invisible. Has Jack Roush thrown his hat to the
ground and double stomped it yet?
-NASCAR just couldn't let things play out near the end though. Can't
have somebody like Paul Menard having a chance to win.
-Stewart-Haas Racing.... *shakes head in disgust* Well at least Harvick
was a threat before his car realized it was from SHR, need to join the
rest and killed itself.
-NASCAR "fix" has kind of helped the side-by-side racing when it
happens, but has done absolutely nothing to address the real issue of
cars getting in clean air and staying there untouched unless they have
an issue (Johnson & Busch's handling going away, Junior saving fuel).
-Can we start a petition to get SMI to reconfigure Las Vegas into a
short track or road course?

I give the race a 3.5/10.


  348.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:56 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

If Junior hadn't run out of fuel, he, Brad, and Shrub would have had a
three-way tie for the most laps led.


  349.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 6:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Ya know, even as Junior ran out of gas on the backstretch, I thought he
still might have a shot to outrace Brad to the flag going into turn 3.
For a second, I was figuring Junior could run it into turn 3 really hard
and pick up the last remnants of fuel and he might be able to beat Brad
to the line in a photo finish...oh well.

It seems Junior is back into his rut of second place finishes, lol! At
least the Daytona 500 victory takes a little of the sting out of it.

Paul Menard had a great run, definitely thought he was going to win it
there for a while. I was genuinely rooting for him just because I wanted
somebody to beat Jimmie!

Three guys that snuck up there and got a good finish after the final
restart were Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman.

Now on to next week at Hot-lanta! Oh wait...

Really looking forward to next weekend, with Bristol, Australia and the
12 hours of Sebring! Although, I won't be able to watch F1 or Sebring
because I'll be busy :(


  350.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

^DVR, bud


  351.   RaceFanX posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

No accidents or spins in this race. Biggest incident was probably
Keselowski banging the outside wall but he still ended up in victory
lane with his damaged race car (don't see that much out NASCAR or maybe
some touring car series).


  352.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Oh yeah, and did anyone see Brad get sprayed in the face with Miller
Lite in victory lane? LOL he was wiping it out of his eyes, bet that stung!

And yes, NRF, I really need to get hooked up with a DVR. That would go a
long way in helping my situation...


  353.   Jarrett88fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The coming and going in the middle of the race with lead cars fading/
running the high groove made this a slightly bearable race. Overall, a
typical Vegas race.

For 2012 Vegas winner Tony Stewart, this was one of his worst races. I
don't think I have seen that dramatic of a drop off since Jimmie won
Vegas in 07 and finished multiple laps down in 29th the following year
in 08 at the same track. However, some of the #48 team's struggles in
that particular race could have been attributed to the first 1.5 mile
track race with the COT, whereas the gen. 4 car ran at Las Vegas in 2007.


  354.   Dave #38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"How does Stewart finish 4 laps down? Is SHR spread that thin?"

He's not back to 100% yet, with the extent of his injury I don't think
he'll ever be back to his old self ever again. I predicted before the
season started that for at least the first 9-12 races of the season that
Stewart would look like Hamlin did the whole 2nd half of 2013.

As for the rest of SHR, the #10 is running at good as it ever will with
the Baroness behind the wheel, and Kurt is suffering with the 4th team
being added late in the season, he's the one likely suffering from
stretched resources. As for Harvick, getting away from the team he's
spent his entire career with being pared with one of the best crew
chiefs in the garage, he's heading towards a Kenseth 2013 type year.


  355.   BON GORDON posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I think Gordon's #24 pit crew deserves a pat on the back. They have been
nearly flawless so far in 2014. Gordon has slightly improved on restarts
despite spinning the tires earlier in the race when he was second on the
outside of Jimmie Johnson. The best drivers so far in 2014 are (ranked
in order): #1. Dale Jr.,#2. Brad Keselowski, #3. Kevin Harvick (despite
the failed brake hub), #4. Jimmie Johnson, #5. Joey Logano, and #6. Jeff
Gordon.


  356.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"and Kurt is suffering with the 4th team being added late in the season,
he's the one likely suffering from stretched resources."

But the thing is, Kurt is running the already established 39 team from
last year (although with a rookie crew chief) and has Gene Haas'
complete backing ("I want my name in Victory Lane")
Plus he was more of a threat off the bat with garbage like Finch and a
2nd rate team like Furniture Row.


  357.   Jarrett88fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:41 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, Jeff Burton finished on the lead lap
in 17th in a experimental MWR car.


  358.   arrogantcommenter posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (2)

This race would have been even better if Johnson wrecked.


  359.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Yes, forgot to mention Jeff Burton. That guy did great all weekend long,
finishing with a 17th place finish. I'll be waiting for his take on
things on Monday's "NASCAR America"...


  360.   Thomas posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:55 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Tough luck for Junior, but Brad was also a deserving winner. Those two
are definitely hot to start the year. For the first 3 races of 2014
Jr.'s average finish is 1.67 compared to Brad's 2.33.

Good runs for Menard and Jeff Burton as well.


  361.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 7:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

You know, one thing about SHR that I would be worried about is that they
have no young drivers in their development system. They have an injured
and old Tony Stewart, they have Harvick and Kurt (who each have probably
about 5-7 quality years left at the most), and they have the Danica
experiment which is going to be nothing more than plate race contention
and some occasional good runs elsewhere. And then they have 55 year old
Mark Martin as their test/backup driver type guy.

So after hearing the news of Dylan Kwasniewski signing with Ganassi (he
was pretty much the last really hot prospect with no Cup development
deal), I really think they've missed the boat when it comes to
developing talent for the future. Ryan Blaney is with Penske, Darrell
Wallace is with JGR, Chase Elliott is with Hendrick (and despite the
HMS-SHR contention, Hendrick seems way too attached to Chase already to
give him up), and Kyle Larson (who would have been a logical pickup for
SHR since Tony has raved about him before) is with Ganassi.

There are guys like Parker Kligerman and Jeb Burton who might be
available down the line, but if I was SHR, with all of these older
drivers and question marks on the roster, I would have already hotly
pursued one of those young "can't miss" drivers that are coming up
through the pipelines. So that's something I would definitely be worried
about with them. It doesn't seem like they have any vision whatsoever
for the future of their company.


  362.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

*HMS-SHR connection


  363.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Tony Stewart said going into the Daytona 500 that he's 65 percent
healthy. It is easy to see that Stewart should have used Regan Smith today.


  364.   JG24FanForever posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:11 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"I'm not sure anyone has had as good a start as Dale Jr. in recent
NASCAR history. Average finish of 1.67.

Gordon started out the 1997 season with 2 wins and a fourth with an
average finish of 2."

Jimmie Johnson's first three races in 2006:

1st
2nd
1st


  365.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:26 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Murb,

Hendrick isn't as good in shape as you make them for driver development.
Yes, they have Chase Elliott. The problem is Dale Earnhardt Jr. and
Jimmie Johnson are not getting any younger.

Dale Jr. is going to be 40 in October and Jimmie Johnson is going to be
39 in September. The other thing is we don't know how many more
concussions can Dale Jr. can take based on past.

Kasey right now is the youngest of the drivers in the cup organization
with him turning 34 in April. Dale Jr. and Jimmie Johnson to me that
could have 5 to 7 good years left unless they turn into a rare breed.

The rule of thumb is cup drivers usually don't win 3 or races a year
after they turn 47 years old and drivers aren't usually in their prime
after they turn 45. The other thing is Bobby Allison is the oldest cup
champion ever when he almost was 46 years old in 1983.


  366.   Destroyahirismix666 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Watched the last third of this race. My Father watched the entire thing.
He said it was pretty boring. I'd say that outside of the fuel strategy,
it was pretty boring also. The finish was good. I wanted Jr to win
(never have liked Kes, don't know if I ever will), but I KNEW Keselowski
would pull to Jr's rear bumper in the last few laps and just hang behind
him, waiting for Jr to run out of gas so he could pull away.

So, needless to say, I wasn't surprised to see the 2011 Coke 600 Part 2
unfold.


  367.   Daniel posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (2)

Go Gordon!


  368.   murb posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Hendrick isn't as good in shape as you make them for driver development."

I never said Hendrick was in good shape. The whole point of that post
was to say that SHR is in BAD shape when it comes to their future drivers.


  369.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Out of the Stewart-Haas Line up mess, Danica Patrick is the easiest to
be fixed. The fact is Regan Smith would be great fit with this
organization. Yes, Regan Smith isn't a youngster. The thing is Regan is
only going to be 31 in September. While cup teams like getting Busch
Series/Nationwide driver younger than that age, Regan Smith would be the
younger driver Stewart-Haas racing has. Regan offers more prime years
than Kevin Harvick and Kurt has.

I know Regan doesn't have the greatest cup stats, but he did perform
great in 2012 in the 88 car when Dale was out with a concussion. That
means Regan can get the job done in good equipment unlike Danica.

The fact is DW shouldn't be trying ignore the fact Danica practices
well, but she sucks in race day. That means the car is better than the
driver and that is a sign of a driver that needs to be released if the
sponsor allows them to. That is the problem at this time since Godaddy
is making excuses for her on track performance and that means they are
sticking with Danica.


  370.   CBASS posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:39 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sponsor updates

#48 Lowe's/ Kobalt Tools
#24 Axalta/ ServiceKing
#18 Peanut M&M's
#66 Toyota "Let's Go Places"
#47 Kingsford/ Scott Products
#42 Target/ AXE
#30 Black Clover (Aria was only an associate)


  371.   joey2448 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 8:40 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"Tony Stewart said going into the Daytona 500 that he's 65 percent
healthy. It is easy to see that Stewart should have used Regan Smith today."

What??? Why? Obviously Tony had a bad run today, but why would he put
another driver in his car when he's capable of driving it? Smoke would
never miss a race because he doesn't feel up to the job, as would any
other driver.


  372.   jabber1990 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 9:00 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm a little confused,

if you break a bone it takes 6 weeks to heal right? (I've never broke a
bone, had a concussion recently though)

why has it been 7 months and he's not fully healed

he also has a gym that he OWNS, to add to that he has Mark Martin on his
payroll


  373.   Spen posted:
  03.09.2014 - 9:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

They'd need to get a sponsor to sign on for Regan. Otherwise, when
Danica goes, the #10 goes.


  374.   18fan posted:
  03.09.2014 - 9:25 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (0)

I think Danica being fast in practice and bad in the race shows that
while Danica can drive a racecar, she cannot race.


  375.   Rusty posted:
  03.09.2014 - 9:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Like I said earlier about Kurt, they ran well at Daytona and Phoenix
with bad luck. They were complete garbage today but the performance has
been there in the other races, just not the results.


  376.   JP88 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

@372

Tony got a compound fracture and most of the time it requires multiple
surgeries...my friend's mother fell off a ladder and got one and had
over 10 surgeries and took almost 1.5 years to recover. She actually
almost died due to infections, so it can be really bad.


  377.   RCRandPenskeGuy posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:04 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Now that Brad has a win for the season, he along with Dale Jr and
Harvick can now gun for wins in all of the remaining races and given
their strength, there's no way in hell they fall out of the Top 10 in
points, let alone the Top 20. I cannot possibly take the championship
seriously this year with its new criteria, so races individually are
what I will be fixating attention on.

I think Stewart right now is going through what Hamlin did last year
upon returning after injury, and that is trying to readjust to the car
after being on the sidelines. Also, I think a reason why Harvick is
doing so well to start the season while Kurt hasn't been is because
Rodney Childers is just that good at what he does. He told the media he
liked being able to build the team just the way he wanted to, and he
sure did set it up good. While Kurt is driving what was the #39 from
last year, perhaps the #4 is just better set up for these races?

As far as Danica goes, I think we can all agree that if she wasn't a
huge marketing expert and it was all about talent in NASCAR, Regan Smith
would be in her ride.


  378.   Peter posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

372, Bones heal pretty quick, but when you have a major break +
surgeries like Tony had the rehab time could take up to a full year


  379.   Spannerhead29 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:10 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Two weeks in a row:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2nd
Joey Logano 4th
Jimmie Johnson 6th
Ryan Newman 7th


  380.   Eric posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:12 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

jabber1990,

Stewart had 3 surgeries for right leg including one for infection back
in October. Stewart had his first two surgeries on August 6 and August
8th. That meant Tony had a severe fracture without even mentioning the
infection he had in his right leg.

The other thing is Tony Stewart isn't a spring chicken when he had broke
his leg. Tony was 42 years old when it happen. Your amount of time is
about right for broken bone, but the amount of surgeries Tony had on the
bone does cause it longer to heal.


  381.   DaleJrfan88 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 10:29 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Amazingly, only one car retired from the race.


Also, after winning and dominating at Phoenix, Kevin Harvick thought he
had a fast car to win today, but he burnt either a piston or a tie rod,
leaving him with a 41st place finish.


  382.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 11:13 pm
   Rate this comment:      (3)      (3)

Why should anyone be surprised with the lack of action. The cars are
simply going too fast, and are too easy to drive (Paul Menard's running
up front should prove that), and the racing is going to continue like
this until something is done about that. I didn't watch most of the
race, as I took a nap before the race even started, and my cable box cut
out (again) so I missed the finish, which was the only thing about this
race that was likely worth watching. I like the strategy Dale, Jr. and
Carl Edwards used on that last caution, because it gave both drivers
better finishes than they were going to get, even though Dale, Jr.'s car
sputtered on the final lap (it didn't actually run completely out of
fuel). But as the drivers that were interviewed said, it was virtually
impossible to pass, and it will continue to be on this type of track.

However, there were some terrible runs today. Many posts have already
documented SHR's problems, especially the run of the bossman himself,
but there were other poor runs. It's obvious that Roush has major
problems, and not just with the chassis and engines, but possibly the
drivers themselves. Greg Biffle ran poorly, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
seems to be regressing, even with his old NNS crew chief paired with him
again, because he's had two bad runs in a row. The fact that Trevor
Bayne was the fourth-highest Ford finisher (in 20th place), and the
highest among those that didn't finish in the top five, should raise
eyebrows, because the Wood Brothers car started behind all those other
cars, except that of Marcos Ambrose, yet had that last caution came a
couple of laps earlier, Trevor might have finished on the lead lap, and
two of Roush's cars and both of Richard Petty's cars finished behind him
in the running order. That tells me there's something very wrong with
Ford, as a whole. There are only three Fords capable of contending, and
they all ended up in the top five (and one used strategy to get there),
but the #16 and especially the #17 car seems to have regressed.
Stenhouse ran 27th for the last 100 miles of the race, and for Roush,
that has to be unacceptable, and Greg Biffle wasn't much better. We know
how Roush likes to tinker with things, and if things don't improve,
there might be some changes there regarding the teams.

And I have to wonder what's going on a JGR, because except for Kyle
Busch early in the race, they were not really in the race, especially
Matt Kenseth. I know it's early in the season, but I'm beginning to
wonder if the "runner-up jinx" isn't catching up to Kenseth the same way
it's caught to his predecessors that finished second in the points in
recent seasons (Martin, Hamlin, Bowyer, and Edwards twice). For them to
finish 10th, 11th, and 12th, and for Kyle Busch to drop back like he did
late in the race (from the top three all the way back to 11th) tells me
there may be something going on there. It appears that Toyota has also
fallen behind, because MWR is doing no better than JGR is right now.

On the other hand, this was a race I did not see coming from the Richard
Childress Racing group, which has never done well at Las Vegas, even
when Dale Earnhardt was driving there. Except for when Kevin Harvick was
second in 2010, they've never done much at all at Las Vegas, but they
had a great day today. Paul Menard contended, Ryan Newman finished up
with the leaders, and Austin Dillon finished on the lead lap, which is
all you can expect from him because of his lack of experience. As bad a
day as this was for Roush (two cars out of the top 20), Stewart-Haas
Racing (no cars in the top 20, with Danica being their best at 21st),
and Toyota, it was just as good for RCR, and they're to be commended for
their great runs today, particularly Paul Menard, who may have had the
best race of his Cup career today, and that includes his win at Indy in
2011, which was on fuel mileage.


  383.   Zackary Shawn posted:
  03.09.2014 - 11:31 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Webmaster, I'm fairly certain "Tools" was dropped from the name of the
race this year and it was just simply the "Kobalt 400".


  384.   ch posted:
  03.09.2014 - 11:48 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sponsor Changes:

16 - American Red Cross
30 - Black Clover
33 - Circle Sport
42 - Target


  385.   TS1420 posted:
  03.09.2014 - 11:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (4)      (1)

"This race would have been even better if Johnson wrecked."

No, this race would have been better if NASCAR finally found where they
hide the traction control unit in pre-race inspection and sent the 48
team home for the rest of the season (actually that would make the whole
season instantly better if it happened).


  386.   murb posted:
  03.10.2014 - 12:01 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I'm not too concerned about JGR. They just didn't have the speed for
whatever reason this weekend. I think it might be a thing where others
(specifically Penske and HMS) have caught up to them on the
intermediates. That's the way it looks anyway.

I still think all three of the JGR drivers will be Chase contenders and
race winners, but if today's race was any indication, I'm guessing that
they will have the majority of their success this year at the short
tracks and plate races.


  387.   Matt posted:
  03.10.2014 - 12:17 am
   Rate this comment:      (6)      (0)

I do think if the cars could be a little more on edge it would be
better. I don't need to see wrecks for it to be a good race but it shows
that everyone is on edge. Didn't think it was an awful race but races
without incidents show me they are a little too planted in the track as
a whole with this package and car


  388.   Bronco posted:
  03.10.2014 - 12:33 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

The only thing worse than Dale Jr running out of fuel on the final lap
and losing the lead is that the #2 won. Thankfully he won the Daytona
500 two weeks ago otherwise I don't know what I'd do seeing him finish
2nd two weeks in a row.

Going back to Talladega last year, this is the 8th consecutive top 10
for Dale Jr, a streak that includes 7 top 5s and 6 podium finishes. His
streak of 6 consecutive top 5 finishes is also a personal best.

Never thought he would be this competitive after seeing him struggle in
2009-2010 and after the 2012 concussion, but I'm enjoying this for as
long as it lasts.


  389.   1995z71 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 1:15 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Owner Update:

#66: Jay Robinson


  390.   18fan posted:
  03.10.2014 - 2:50 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

cjs, Kyle just lost the handle on his car and as they tried to adjust it
it kept getting worse. Kenseth ran up as high as 6th for a while but
then faded and Hamlin hung around the top 10 for most of the race. Like
murb said, it seems like Penske, Hendrick (This is the best Gordon has
run consistently early in a season in a few years), and the #4 team have
caught on to the new rules the best, just like JGR figured out the Gen-6
the best early in the season last year. Last year was Kyle's best season
in terms of performance on intermediates, as even the year he won 8
races, he only won 2 true intermediates (Atlanta and Chicago) and only
won 3 from 2009-2012. 5 in his first 5 years at JGR and 3 last year.


  391.   b4il3y posted:
  03.10.2014 - 3:46 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

#387 Matt nailed it on the head. These cars are a little TOO good.


  392.   Thomas posted:
  03.10.2014 - 5:14 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

97. DB1995 posted:
03.09.2014 - 3:15 pm

18fan, Brad Keselowski never came close before winning his either.


Nice bit of revisionist history there, DB1995. If you go back and look
at 2011, Keselowski was 3rd in points, 18 back with 4 races to go--and
was ahead of eventual champion Stewart at that point.


  393.   DB1995 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 6:36 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

That is true, my bad


  394.   JP88 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 9:03 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I didn't think it was that bad of a race but yeah, something needs to be
done about these cars. They are way to easy to drive and there is no way
guys who don't take tires should be able to run quicker laps then guys
with 4 fresh Goodyears. I mean jeez look at Logano and Jimmie yesterday.
Once in traffic they were done and Joey was irate about it.

Like alluded to above, the fact that there were no incidents except for
Brad tagging the wall shows that these cars have way to much control.


  395.   zuel660 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 10:27 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

A good way to see how 'easy' the cars have become to drive - get on
YouTube and look up any race from the 80s or 90s, and watch for any
on-board camera shots. The drivers then were really sawing on the wheel,
and had to really wrestle the car around the track. Then watch a driver
of today, basically cruising around.


  396.   Aaron posted:
  03.10.2014 - 10:39 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"They are way to easy to drive and there is no way guys who don't take
tires should be able to run quicker laps then guys with 4 fresh
Goodyears. I mean jeez look at Logano and Jimmie yesterday. Once in
traffic they were done and Joey was irate about it."

It's not about tires. It's about aero push. Cars in a pack get in dirty
air and it causes understeer, so they don't have the optimal handling
the lead car has. Aero push is more of an issue now than it's ever been.


  397.   JP88 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 11:16 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

"It's not about tires. It's about aero push. Cars in a pack get in dirty
air and it causes understeer, so they don't have the optimal handling
the lead car has. Aero push is more of an issue now than it's ever been."

Yep I know, that's my point though. Someone who stays out with 30 lap
old tires shouldn't be outrunning a front runner who just came in to get
4 tires. I can imagine it's super frustrating to the drivers, but
between the ease of the car handling and the aero, these cookie cutter
and 2 mile races can be a bore.


  398.   Gunnar Roadcastle posted:
  03.10.2014 - 12:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

It seems like a lot of people thought this was a boring race - I
actually that it was pretty competitive. The guy that led the most laps
only led 53. While track position seemed to be the key, we saw several
different drivers over the course of the race that looked to be a threat
to win - not because of track position either. Kyle Busch came up
through the field and passed Johnson, then it was Harvick, then Menard
and Keselowski. And of course, Keselowski hunting down Jr. late and the
last lap pass was pretty exciting, in my opinion.

Remember, we are watching cars go around in circles. Unless you think
wrecks make the race more exciting, I don't know what could have made
this race better.


  399.   RCRandPenskeGuy posted:
  03.10.2014 - 2:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Looking at Phoenix and this race, it seems that whoever gets out front
just runs away from everyone. If Dale Jr was good on fuel, he would have
won this one going away. Clean air seems to be key right now, and it
probably won't change races that much because the drivers and teams will
still plan their strategies around that fact, but for us fans, we like
seeing drivers battle each other for the lead.


  400.   cjs3872 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 4:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

And one of the reasons why these cars are "too good" is because they're
lighter than they've ever been before. But we've seen this before. In
1986, the cars were 3700 lbs., but in 1987, they made them 200 lbs.
lighter, and speeds jumped almost everywhere because the car could
handle better because of the lighter weight. They reduced the weight
again in the mid-90s from 3500 to 3400 lbs., but it didn't have that
much of an influence then. But when they introduced the "Gen-6" car last
year, one of the things that was done was to decrease the weight of the
cars by another 200 lbs., from 3400 to 3200. Obviously, what that's done
is to make them handle better, and as a result, the speeds are up again.
The aero push problem is a result of the increased aerodynamics and the
increased speed, because the faster a car goes, the more of the track it
needs to use, thus decreasing the amount of racing room and increasing
the amount of single-file racing, and with the increase in single-file
racing comes the aero push because cars can't get within a certain
amount of distance without it affecting the handling of the car.

It was mentioned that Joey Logano was one of the most disappointed in
what happened yesterday, but his car owner was at the forefront of this
same phenomenon in IndyCar racing twice from 1971-1981. When IndyCar
racing, then sanctioned by USAC, went to more aerodynamic cars in the
early 1970s, Roger Penske was one of the first team owner to make good
use of the wing. In fact, when they first allowed bolt-on wings in 1972,
Penske won the Indianapolis 500 with Mark Donohue, and dominated that
race with another one of his cars, driven by Gary Bettenhausen, who
would have won that race if not for a late-race overheating problem.
Then as the 1980s began, Penske was at the forefront of another racing
innovation, ground effects. While Jim Hall, an old sports car racing
rival of Penske introduced ground effects to IndyCar racing in 1978, it
Penske that perfected it in 1981. After getting blown away by Hall's
ground effects car in 1980, Penske got with the program in 1981, and
they dominated IndyCar racing for the rest of the decade, winning the
championship with Rick Mears (twice), Al Unser, Sr. (twice), and Danny
Sullivan in the 80s and won the Indianapolis 500 with Mears (twice),
Bobby Unser, Sullivan, and Al Unser, Sr. in the 80s.

But a big reason why the cars handle so much better and are much easier
to drive than they used to be is because they've taken 500 lbs. of
weight out of them since 1986, and a lighter car is naturally going to
be easier to handle through the corners, and while I believe horsepower
needs to be taken away to cut straightaway speeds, something also needs
to be done about turn speeds, because that's what's really causing the
aero push problem. Going back to the thing about the IndyCars of old, in
1970, they ran 210 down the straightaways, but only averaged 165-170 MPH
for the full lap at Indy because they could only go 150 in the corners,
but when wings were introduced in 1972, lap speeds skyrocketed, but the
cars weren't going any faster down the straightaways. They were still
going 210-215 down the straightaways, but were now going 175-180 in the
turns, and as a result, they could no longer stay close to each other
because of the aerodynamic problems they were creating for each other at
the higher turn speeds. That's been becoming a real problem in NASCAR in
recent years, especially with this new car, and that's why the cars need
to be slowed down and made harder to drive. And yet, guys are
celebrating the higher speeds while not realizing how it's continuing to
diminish the quality of the racing.


  401.   DB1995 posted:
  03.10.2014 - 4:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Does anyone know Brad's paint scheme schedule for the year. I thought
the white car was only for the unlimited, but he ran it in the %00 and
of course at Vegas yeaterday


  402.   numbah10hatah posted:
  03.10.2014 - 4:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Looks like another name change for 23andJoe. David Reutimann has got a
ride for Bristol is the #35 Front Row Motorsports Ford. So, I bet
35andJoe will be coming soon.


  403.   David posted:
  03.10.2014 - 5:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Dash it all, numbah10hatah beat me to it.

This may be the first time in NASCAR history where a team owner entered
three cars and all the drivers had the same first name.


  404.   murb posted:
  03.10.2014 - 5:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"This may be the first time in NASCAR history where a team owner entered
three cars and all the drivers had the same first name."

They should hire you as the team's official statistician.


  405.   We need more Onion posted:
  03.10.2014 - 5:17 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Quite fitting that you made this comment "David" :)


  406.   Daniel posted:
  03.10.2014 - 5:45 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

46 entered at Bristol:

-David Reutimann in the #35

-Joe Nemechek in the #66

-#21 & #87 not entered


  407.   Jared McNutt posted:
  03.10.2014 - 6:22 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Few things:
- As a Jr. fan, yesterday's result would've crushed me had he not won at
Daytona. It would've been "Oh god, here we go again...". But I look at
the big picture and know a Chase spot has been clinched and the goal is
to go for more wins.
- The Penske cars have been bad fast this year. I thought BK regained
his 2012 form during the Chase and that's shown so far. And is it crazy
to think of Sliced Bread as a title contender? They were one of the
better teams in the second half of last year.
- Kevin Harvick will have a 2013 Matt Kenseth/2009 Mark Martin type
season; there's no doubt about that. Kevin could've won the Chase 3 of
the past 4 years if he had had more speed. With Rodney Childers, it
looks like he has that speed.
- I'm not surprised by Tony's struggles thus far. 2012 and his starts in
2013 were very meh by his standards. I think his career was starting to
decline already but his injury has made it more apparent.
- As for the other notable SHR contender, Kurt Busch is fine. He did
have a slow start to the year last year with the 78 before they
connected around April/May. He's too good of a driver in my mind to not
make the expanded Chase field.
- Is it just me or is there something off with the JGR cars? It's crazy
to say given their drivers' high standings but I expected Denny and Matt
to have better starts. All three cars were fast during Speedweeks but
outside of Kyle yesterday, none of them have been extremely impressive
- What the hell is going on with the Roush cars? Yesterday was a putrid
showing for all three teams


  408.   Bill Nye is my Dad posted:
  03.10.2014 - 6:57 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

"As a Jr. fan, yesterday's result would've crushed me had he not won at
Daytona. It would've been "Oh god, here we go again...". But I look at
the big picture and know a Chase spot has been clinched and the goal is
to go for more wins."

As someone who's has been very annoyed by Jr fans in the past, that is a
really refreshing viewpoint to hear


  409.   Anonymous posted:
  03.10.2014 - 8:15 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Comment #88

You were right. The 87 team is not on the Bristol entry list.


  410.   RCRandPenskeGuy posted:
  03.10.2014 - 11:58 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

If only Front Row could run three full time teams and hire Reutimann,
they'd really be known as Team David. I already call them that given
that Ragan and Gilliland drive for them. lol

But I really would like to see that happen, as I like all three drivers.


  411.   Anthony posted:
  03.11.2014 - 7:39 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

For some reason these overnight ratings make absolute no sense. First of
all there's no more fox set outside (which used to be SPEED) and now
this fox sports raceday and the NASCAR Live plus the race run on Sunday
had zero wrecks! We are losing fans, viewers like crazy! This FS1 has
killed NASCAR entirely. I'm sorry I love Mike Joy and the all the guys
who worked for fox but what has caused fox to create this whole willy
nelly idea to improve its viewers!? As a fan I will always watch NASCAR
but the news I read on Jayski are definitely terrible!

We want more viewers and higher ratings!


  412.   4sucks posted:
  03.11.2014 - 7:39 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (9)

208. Schroeder51 posted:
Something is wrong with Harvick.

209. murb posted:
Harvick has major problems.

210. The Long Shot posted:
Harvick with issues.



No shit. Oh, you mean his car...


  413.   Anonymous0 posted:
  03.11.2014 - 1:36 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

Are you sure it's Harvick that has the major problem, 412?


  414.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.11.2014 - 2:32 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (2)

@4sucks:

There are better ways to troll.


  415.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.11.2014 - 3:28 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sheesh! Just found out "The Flying Finn" Reino Tulonen passed away...
too bad Jayski didn't put it on the home page at the time cause he died
in January!


  416.   Aaron posted:
  03.11.2014 - 4:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

These forums seem to have gotten much less action this year than in
previous years, so maybe it's time I spark up some talking points:

1) Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been the best driver in the Sprint Cup Series
thus far this season.
2) Jimmie Johnson is better than Jeff Gordon.
3) A Petty vs. Danica race is a lose-lose scenario.
4) Kevin Meendering will be Dale Jr.'s next crew chief, not Ron Malec.
Rick won't rock the 48 boat.
5) 49 races, 1 top-10 for Danica. David Reutimann had 1 top-10 in the
start to his Cup career, too.


  417.   TS1420 posted:
  03.11.2014 - 5:23 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

1 - Junior looks the most comfortable/confident I've seen him since
2004, and he did pretty good that whole season and in the chase until
his eff up at Atlanta.
2 - No. Just no. This is coming from somebody that doesn't like Jeff
Gordon. Jeff Gordon built Hendrick Motorsports into a juggernaut. Jimmie
benefited from it already being a juggernaut.
3 - Agreed. If Danica wins, she beat a geriatric that hasn't raced in
over two decades and been competitive for three. She loses, lol... And
if Petty wins, then he will be vilified as a chauvinistic bully by the
media. He loses, then somehow it voids his legacy with the pundits and
uneducated fair-weather/bandwagon fans(which the media would love since
they would feel justified in ranking Johnson over Petty)
4 - Also agreed. Hendrick had plenty of chances in the past to make his
fan favorite teams better but instead chose to focus on keeping the most
unlikable team in NASCAR history untouchable demi-gods. I don't see him
starting now.
5 - Reutti was also racing for the basically new team of Michael Waltrip
Racing and was a part of Toyota's rough debut season. Danica is racing
for the championship winning team of h.M.s. Wolfpac.


  418.   18fan posted:
  03.11.2014 - 5:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

NASCAR has announced no cool-down laps will be allowed during qualifying
and cool-down units will be allowed to be plugged in through the hood
flaps.


  419.   Spen posted:
  03.11.2014 - 5:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sad to hear about Reino. He's the only driver in Cup history who ever
managed a top five in a Henry J.


  420.   Eric posted:
  03.11.2014 - 6:38 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (1)

1.) What is happening to Dale Jr. is the whole team wants to give Steve
Letarte a championship before goes. I seen Dale Jr. have good starts to
a season before, but usually fades during the summer. I don't see this
with Dale Jr. this year and I think this is the strongest team Dale Jr.
is on since his 2004 88 team.

2.) No, Jimmie Johnson isn't better than Jeff Gordon in terms of a
racing career. I never been a fan of Jeff Gordon, but Jeff in his prime
really didn't have a type of a track as a weakness outside of Texas. I
am comparing Jimmie in his prime to when Jeff Gordon was in his prime.
Jimmie is the weaker short track, road course and plate driver when you
compare to two driver in their primes. Jeff also was very strong at
intermediate tracks.

3.) I agree.

4.) I hate to agree.

5.) Don't compare David Reutimann to Danica Patrick. David Reutimann
started his cup Career when MWR wasn't an established a cup team and
Toyota was new to cup in the same year David was a rookie cup driver.
Toyota was junk when David was rookie. The cars, and Engines were back
for Toyota. MWR also has had a washed up full time mediocre driver in
Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett was way passed prime when David was
rookie. The MWR you see today wasn't the same MWR in 2007 and 2008 when
MWR was a start up cup organization. Toyota is better now than it was in
2007. Toyota had problems with speed and areo in their first cup season.
The biggest headline MWR did in David's rookie year in cup was Micheal
Waltrip's team was caught using Jet fuel for Daytona and that shows how
bad MWR was as an organization 2007.

Danica is with an established cup organization in Stewart-Haas that has
least one driver in the chase every year Stewart-Haas existed starting
in 2009. Stewart-Haas also has very good equipment from Hendrick. That
means Danica got her start with a better organization and better
equipment than David. You can say Danica is underachieving based on how
Danica has it easier than David from an organization and equipment
standpoint.


  421.   DB1995 posted:
  03.11.2014 - 11:06 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

Well guys i won't be posting during the race this weekend as I am going
to the races!, Bristol is always fun to go to, Please God No cup driver
domination on Saturday (Still includes Kyle Larson) and no Chevy's on
Sunday (except Jamie Mcmurray) and No Kyle Busch please.


  422.   joey2448 posted:
  03.12.2014 - 1:02 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

^Lol, I hate to break it to you, but everything you're wishing against
will probably happen...


  423.   DB1995 posted:
  03.12.2014 - 6:58 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I know, but i can always hope.


  424.   DB1995 posted:
  03.12.2014 - 4:19 pm
   Rate this comment:      (5)      (0)

If you want to read an interesting article that i never heard about copy
and paste this

http://bradracing.com/races/kobalt-400/meaning-winning


  425.   murb posted:
  03.12.2014 - 9:30 pm
   Rate this comment:      (6)      (0)

Michael Schumacher is apparently showing "encouraging signs" that he
might wake up, so that's obviously great news.


  426.   23andJoe posted:
  03.13.2014 - 3:59 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

>Just found out "The Flying Finn" Reino Tulonen passed away... too bad
Jayski didn't put it on the home page at the time cause he died in January!

Actually, he did.


Also, just found out that apparently the Denny Hamilin Short Track
Showdown is being held at South Boston this year?


  427.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.13.2014 - 5:52 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Yes, he did. But he didn't post it on the FRONT page when it happened.
He just threw it straight into the archives. I expect driver deaths to
be on the front of the website and not archived as if no one cares. As
someone close to much of the old guard, I was a bit offended.


  428.   BluesTravelerFan posted:
  03.13.2014 - 6:43 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I wonder what (if anything) DSFF has to say about the Panthers releasing
Steve Smith...


  429.   DB1995 posted:
  03.13.2014 - 6:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

NRF, don't you think the webmaster is busy enough?


  430.   NicoRosbergFan posted:
  03.13.2014 - 7:47 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

^Hell-freaking-lo! I am talking about JAYSKI.


  431.   DB1995 posted:
  03.13.2014 - 8:33 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sorry NRF!, I did not see your previous post stating you were talking
about Jayski.


  432.   Debris posted:
  03.22.2014 - 1:42 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Carl Edwards' 3rd fifth place finish in a row at LVMS!


  433.   NASCARLover22 posted:
  09.05.2015 - 9:22 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Sponsor updates

#33 Circle Sport, LLC
#16 American Red Cross/3M


  434.   Tide1732 posted:
  04.23.2016 - 7:19 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (1)

One of to Similar finishes relate to 2001 NAPA 500 And 2011 Coca-Cola 600


  435.   chevyfan98 posted:
  08.04.2016 - 5:09 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

If Junior hadn't run out on the last lap, there would've been a
three-way tie for the most laps led between him, Keselowski, and Kyle
Busch, each with 52 laps.


  436.   Rich posted:
  12.06.2020 - 4:46 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip were the commentators.
Matt Yocum, Krista Voda and Steve Byrnes were the pit road reporters.
Jeff Hammond was the roving reporter. Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip
were in the Hollywood hotel.


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