2016 NASCAR Discussion ThreadNASCAR

[-Fred-]

At this juncture, you only hope that it's not severe enough that doctors are going to start suggesting retirement.

You know, having grown around hockey players, usually after their 2nd or 3rd concussion they get strongly advised to indeed consider retirement. Except hockey guys don't hit concrete walls at 200mph.

 

[catamount39]

Something to remember was that Dario Franchitti's driving career was cut short by severe concussions. He suffered many in his career, and after his vicious hit at Houston he retired. Hopefully the same doesn't happen to Junior but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Dylan]

I thought he retired because of a spinal injury?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Like I said the sad part for Junior is this has been a highlight of his career really at times, being in pretty awful accidents and receiving head injuries. Part of us has to wonder how much his fathers, death plays a part in his decisions to sit out longer than some of us expect. I feel he sees it as if he has another massive hit like Fontana or Kansas then could he possibly not wake up after. It's a scary thought for a driver to be put in, especially one that just recently married and has other things going on that aren't just driving.

Then you reflect to other wrecks like his Corvette crash, and you wonder if they all just play a part in him being extra cautious about coming back too soon.

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

You know, having grown around hockey players, usually after their 2nd or 3rd concussion they get strongly advised to indeed consider retirement. Except hockey guys don't hit concrete walls at 200mph.

On the one hand, drivers have far more protection around them as a safety precaution. The problem with Junior is that he's been racing since the late 90s when that wasn't the case. He's taken his share of tough blows before NASCAR made leaps and bounds in driver protection, so it's possible that those early blows have made him more susceptible to concussions.

Something to remember was that Dario Franchitti's driving career was cut short by severe concussions. He suffered many in his career, and after his vicious hit at Houston he retired. Hopefully the same doesn't happen to Junior but we'll have to wait and see.

I wanted to bring up Franchitti but couldn't remember if the concussion was the deciding factor. Had to look that up and I'd say it was spinal injuries in conjunction with the concussion:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...dent-head-injury-chip-ganassi-racing/3587919/

Wow. I had forgotten Junior had concussions back in 2013 as well. Can't say this current situation is looking good, tbh.

 

[ukfan758]

On the one hand, drivers have far more protection around them as a safety precaution. The problem with Junior is that he's been racing since the late 90s when that wasn't the case. He's taken his share of tough blows before NASCAR made leaps and bounds in driver protection, so it's possible that those early blows have made him more susceptible to concussions.
I wanted to bring up Franchitti but couldn't remember if the concussion was the deciding factor. Had to look that up and I'd say it was spinal injuries in conjunction with the concussion:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...dent-head-injury-chip-ganassi-racing/3587919/

Wow. I had forgotten Junior had concussions back in 2013 as well. Can't say this current situation is looking good, tbh.

Going on the subject of drivers retiring soon after a head injury or vicious crash, Chip Ganassi (I noticed his name in the link you provided) had a horrifying crash in the 1984 Michigan 500. He sustained a "severe head injury" and was unconscious for several hours. He most likely had a concussion and only raced a few more times until 1987.

 

[GTFan24]

 

[GTFan24]

 

[Jahgee]

That feel when Penske does a better Tony Stewart throwback than Stewart-Haas

 

[CodeRedR51]

GT Academy winner Nicolas Hammann will be driving at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity series.

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

More clutch than the third pedal. Oh, inb4 "358 ci?!? its 5.9 liters!! its 2016 not 196611!!!"

 

[Jahgee]

The car in real life


I do like it a little better knowing the wheels are metallic, also this has existed for a while

 

[nascarfan1400]

Looks badass. I'll raise a coke to that.

Tony always did prefer Coke, actually said so after winning the Pepsi 400.

 

[tbwhhs]

Its ok, I'd like it better if they used the same number font that the original car had. It will be even better if the pit crew has uniforms like these:

Looks badass. I'll raise a coke to that.

Tony always did prefer Coke, actually said so after winning the Pepsi 400.

I can't blame him on that, Coke is better than Pepsi.

 

[nascarfan1400]

Its ok, I'd like it better if they used the same number font that the original car had. It will be even better if the pit crew has uniforms like these:

View attachment 572802



I can't blame him on that, Coke is better than Pepsi.

They taste about the same to me But coke has a bit more of a syrupy taste, so I prefer it.

 

[Jahgee]

I prefer Cherry Coke/Pepsi to either Coke or Pepsi

 

[Dylan]

I prefer Dr. Pepper...

 

[Ganon83]

GT Academy winner Nicolas Hammann will be driving at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity series.

Possibly the most high profile Dodge driver since 2012

 

[L8 Apex]

Junior is set to update the media at Watkins Glen tomorrow. The fact that he's not doing it via a tweet or some other more casual medium, and the fact that NBCSN is carrying it live, has me (and many others) thinking the r-word will be involved.

http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/13...ess-conference-at-the-glen-to-air-live-friday

 

[Dylan]

Junior is set to update the media at Watkins Glen tomorrow. The fact that he's not doing it via a tweet or some other more casual medium, and the fact that NBCSN is carrying it live, has me (and many others) thinking the r-word will be involved.

http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/13...ess-conference-at-the-glen-to-air-live-friday

They just featured an article on NASCAR.com where he said he's beginning to get impatiant, and wants to get back in the car soon. I don't think he's gonna talk about retirement unless someone in the press asks him about it.

 

[CodeRedR51]

So since I haven't watched any of the races this year and haven't been in this thread in months, why exactly is Jeff subbing for him right now?

 

[Jahgee]

So since I haven't watched any of the races this year and haven't been in this thread in months, why exactly is Jeff subbing for him right now?

Dale has a concussion

 

[CodeRedR51]

Dale has a concussion

Figured it was something along those lines. Thanks.

 

[Leadfoot530]

Watched a decent amount of the Dale Jr interview. Nothing of note; he just wants to get healthy and back in the car when he can. Sounds like he just wanted to get back to the track for a bit.

And no, the retirement question was shot down pretty quickly. I imagine he'll be here for a lot longer.

 

[GTFan24]

 

[Dylan]

That's cool I guess.
I'm waiting to see if they're gonna bump that Byron kid from the truck series straight to the cup. He's got serious potential...

And no, the retirement question was shot down pretty quickly. I imagine he'll be here for a lot longer.

 

[RedTailBoa]

Interesting that 5 hour energy will be a primary sponsor. Hope he does well. I've been a fan of the 78 for years, looks like they have a young driver with talent. As for Byron, I think he will get Jones' 20 at least for a year then get up to cup when Kenseth retires or Hamlin moves elsewhere

 

[Vert4848]

Probably a stupid question, but is Erik Jones British? He looks British...

Can't wait for him to get into Sprint Cup. He is very good. His performances in the Xfinity Series show this.

 

[RACECAR]

Probably a stupid question, but is Erik Jones British? He looks British...

Nope. Born and raised in Byron, Michigan.


Also, just found out there was a driver that used to drive in the Truck series and Xfinity Series and Trucks. Guess what his name was? Eric Jones

 

[Dylan]

From the Dale Jr. Press confrence when asked about retirement...

"I have every intention of honoring my current contract (which runs through 2017), I sat with Rick before this happened a couple of months ago to talk about an extension. That's the direction that we are going. As soon as I can get healthy and get confident in how I feel and feel like I can drive a car and be great driving it, then I want to drive. I want to race. I miss the competition. I miss being here. I miss the people and, as Rick likes to say, 'We've got unfinished business.' I'm not ready to stop racing. I'm not ready to quit. It's a slower process, I wish it wasn't. I don't know how long it's going to take."
-Dale Jr.