NASCAR Thread.

[TS]

i heard yesterday that team red bull was moving to cheverlet.

That's a bit of old news that Team Red Bull has repeatedly denied, they're sticking with Toyota.

 

[Solid Fro]

 

[KAMKA-Z]

I heard all the different complaints about the Sharpie 500. Carl Edwards won the race. I think he's going to be a Cup champion someday. Maybe even multiple-time champ. He said something I was in great agreement with despite all the complaining about the Bristol race. All I saw from the race were highlights. So it's time I sound off.


John Sounds Off! - Fewer Wrecks = Worse Racing?
Carl Edwards on WindTunnel talked about that you don't need to wreck people to have great racing. There was all the talk about how you go to Bristol to see wrecks. It's what the racing media sort of banks on that I disagree with entirely. Sure, crashes and wrecks offer some thrills to racing. However, this sort of thugging on the race track shouldn't happen even in the case of avoidable contact. I didn't fully grow up with NASCAR. I don't know Bristol as far as grooves or whatever. I say that excessive crashes and wrecks only makes for longer races, more p-o'ed drivers, and tougher impacts in championships. That sort of mentality has been instilled in most racing media I see nowadays in America. I don't see over-and-over impacts of crashes from European or Asian or Australian racing, so why us? Well it's simple. We are a country that loves sports like football and basketball- true contact sports where getting physical can give you a championship or make you wish you had a championship.

I grew greater appreciation for Carl Edwards in saying that you don't need to wreck somebody to win races. Races don't have to be crash-fests to be of anyone's entertainment. Part of the reason why I don't associate with most mainstream American race fans is because a good race to most people means crashes and wrecks and paint trading. You know... wrecks and crashes to the point where trying to win a race is insignificant. You essentially turn races into demolition derbies or lame Hollywood movies. Want an example of cars not wrecking each other and still being a great race? Look back at the 12 Hours of Sebring with the Risi Competizione (Houston's own) and Flying Lizard for the GT2 crown. The two cars roughed each other up on the final turn, but they didn't spin out or result in a fight after the race. Even the ALMS (see, I don't need to say "I hate to bring up a xxxxxxxx topic in a NASCAR thread" because NASCAR isn't atop the racing food chain) deemed that the race to the line wasn't foul. I just think circuit racing in the States has been more of crashes. Who remembers good finishes better than crashes? More people remember crashes because not many care about passes as much as any action. Greater numbers of crashes and cautions only makes racing like baseball- the waiting game. Waiting for racing to come back. Not 'recking, RACING.

As a final tidbit, do you teach your child how to race by talking about how to crash the other person out? Or do you tell the kid to race with class and don't be fascinated with wreck cars? Just something to think about the next time a race isn't exciting just because of fewer crashes.


Your thoughts on the racing action at Bristol? Or maybe you want to look ahead to California?

nascar's greatest hero (By the number of #3 stickers still seen on pickemup trucks) was Daddy Earnhardt. The "Intimidator" won all those championships, not by being the smoothest, cleanest, fastest driver, but by being the "Intimidator" and creating wrecks. I believe wrecks are an integral part of nascar and that's why they keep the minimum weight of the cars way up there. Those cars would be every bit as safe or safer if they were built lighter like the more recent Trans-Am cars. But people wouldn't lose control and have wrecks as often.

I personally dislike watching any of the nascar short tracks because they can go hours without 10 consecutive laps of green flag racing.

California Looks Good.

 

[TS]

I have cringed every time they've replayed that video, amazing how Brad got away from that one un-injured.

**Spoilers ahead!**

What do you guys think of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s chances of making the chase now with just Richmond left, he's only 128 points behind Kevin Harvick. Mathmatically, he still has a shot, but as long as 'Happy' Harvick finishes 17th or better, Jr. will be out of the chase. Also, another good drive by Cali native Jimmie Johnson who won last nights race, which is his 5th of the season and gives him 10 more chase bonus points (he now has 50).

 

[RACECAR]

I Have Faith That he still has a shot at making it. Another Great run and/or Possibly a win can make it happen. I'm Pulling for him.

 

[toyota_gt1]

i still stand that he's not getting in. harvick runs really well at richmond and i believe the top 12 is set for the chase.

its gonna be a great battle for the championship with gordon, johnson, and stewart.

wow was that a nasty wreck for Brad K. in the busch race...one of if not the hardest hit i have ever seen in nascar. if that would have happened 5 years ago...he would have been dead most likely. the safety has come such a long way.

 

[TS]

Lots of news today.

Eury to remain Earnhardt's crew chief; Mears to drive No. 5

ESPN.com news services

Updated: September 4, 2007, 1:34 PM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tony Eury Jr. will be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports.

"Tony Jr. and Dale have a successful history working together," team owner Rick Hendrick said Tuesday. "They have trust in each other, which is the biggest part of the relationship between driver and crew chief."

Eury has been vocal in his desire to follow Earnhardt, who is also his cousin, to Hendrick. Earnhardt said in May he's leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of this season, and Eury has been trying to get out of his contract with DEI since the announcement.

Hendrick said Eury signed a multiyear contract to join the organization as a crew chief.

"Dale Jr. and I are both excited to continue working together," Eury said. "With the resources we'll have at Hendrick Motorsports, it's an opportunity to consistently run up front and be in title contention every year. The goals are winning races and winning championships."

The addition of Eury pushes Darian Grubb, currently the crew chief for Casey Mears, into a senior management role starting next season. Grubb moved into the crew chief job at the start of this season.

"We've asked Darian to shoulder more responsibility and take another step," Hendrick said. "With all the challenges and difficult situations we've thrown his way, he has always proven to be successful. Darian is a star in our organization and his contributions will be vital."

In addition, Mears will move to the No. 5 team next year as Hendrick makes room for NASCAR's most popular driver.

Although Earnhardt said in June he had agreed to a five-year deal to drive for Hendrick starting next season, many details still had to be settled. He's technically replacing Kyle Busch on the Hendrick roster but won't be stepping into Busch's ride.

Mears, who drives the No. 25, will move into Busch's seat, with Alan Gustafson the crew chief.

Earnhardt will instead fill the slot at the No. 25, although that's not likely to be his car number. He had wanted to take the No. 8 with him from DEI, but his stepmother, Teresa, wouldn't relinquish the number.

Earnhardt is reportedly considering several numbers -- 81, 38, 88 and 52 -- with an announcement expected soon.

Hendrick is still trying to decide Earnhardt's number and what company will sponsor him since Budweiser and Junior are parting ways at the end of this season.

But in moving Mears into the No. 5, Hendrick was able to keep his very first car number. He launched Hendrick Motorsports in 1984 with the No. 5, and it's won 27 races with Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Busch behind the wheel. Labonte drove it to the 1996 championship.

"The No. 5 was our first car, so, for me, there's a lot of personal history in that team," Hendrick said. "Casey has proven capable of winning and running up front, which is what the No. 5 has always been about. The goal is more victory lanes and championships for the team."

Kellogg's and CARQUEST Auto Parts will stay on as sponsors of the No. 5 with Mears. Kellogg's has been on the car since 1994, and CARQUEST joined as an associate sponsor in 2002.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Yeley to replace Raines at Hall of Fame Racing

By David Newton

Updated: September 4, 2007, 3:53 PM ET

HUNTERVILLE, N.C. -- J.J. Yeley will lose Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin as teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, but they'll remain tied to a manufacturer.

Yeley on Tuesday signed a three-year deal with Hall of Fame Racing, a satellite team for JGR.

JGR has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning to announce it will move from Chevrolet to Toyota next season. HOF owners Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel said they plan to remain tied to JGR and its manufacturer.

"We've had discussions with one other team about the potential of changing over," Garfinkel said. "We've been open with J.D. [Gibbs, JGR's president] about that. It's been our strong desire all along to say with Gibbs Racing. They've been great partners up to this point."

Manufacturer had no bearing on Yeley's decision to sign with HOF over Robert Yates Racing and Richard Childress Racing. But the organization's connection to JGR was a factor.

"Because this is a one-car team, obviously they're not going to have the resources some of the other teams do," Yeley said. "Because they do get their cars from Joe Gibbs Racing everything is familiar to me, so I'm not making a huge change for 2008."

Yeley said JGR and HOF can automatically raise the standard for Toyota, which has struggled in its first year in the Nextel Cup series.

"There's never been really a performance problem at Joe Gibbs Racing," he said. "The equipment we'll be getting from them will be good. Obviously, there has been some question about engines and I think they'll get those resolved and there'll be no problem."

Garfinkel, who worked with Toyota while with the Chip Ganassi Racing Indy car program, expects the foreign manufacturer to become successful quickly. "They're a great company and they've had a track record of success in racing," said. "They operate professionally. They know how to go racing. They know how to win races.

"They knew it was going to be a struggle coming into the sport. They've weathered that, they're committed to it and they'll be successful."

The 30-year-old Yeley, who is being replaced by Kyle Busch in the No. 18 at JGR next season, will replace Tony Raines.

Raines has only one top 10 since taking over the No. 96 last season and is 31st in points. Yeley is 20th in points with a career-best second at the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.

Yeley said he has no hard feelings towards JGR and that he looks forward to maintaining a relationship with the organization.

"I'm really focused on turning my career around to where we can go out there and win races and try to win championships," he said.

HOF began in 2003 under the ownership of former NFL stars Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. Majority ownership was sold last week to Moorad, the chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Garfinkel, the chief operating officer.

"We looked at a lot of places," said Yeley's agent, Kyle Chapman. "After meeting with Jeff and Tom, the new owners, and with their Phoenix tie [Yeley is native of Phoenix] it was a no-brainer.

"We just had to be real quiet about it because of their purchase of the team."

Yeley said HOF wasn't at the top of his list until the change of ownership.

"Not that I couldn't have been successful at Richard Childress Racing or Yates or some of the other teams I was considering," he said. "I just think this is going to be the best fit to where I'm going to be the most comfortable for my career."

David Newton covers motorsports for ESPN.com.

 

[toyota_gt1]

wow thanks for all of the news. thats really interesting. i can't even comprehend just what a team gordon, johnson and earnhardt will be. if i was jr. i would pick #81.

 

[RACECAR]

I am so mad at Teresa Earnhardt. She has been killing DEI and now that Junior is leaving, its officially dead come 2008. At least Junior will actually have a shot on a more consistant basis. As for the number situation, I'm not so certain 38 and 88 may be available as they are still with Robett Yates and 52 just doesn't have the same ring to it, so 81 would make since.

 

[WallRunner]

I am so mad at Teresa Earnhardt. She has been killing DEI and now that Junior is leaving, its officially dead come 2008. At least Junior will actually have a shot on a more consistant basis. As for the number situation, I'm not so certain 38 and 88 may be available as they are still with Robett Yates and 52 just doesn't have the same ring to it, so 81 would make since.

This is a little old, but:

RYR asked NASCAR to transfer the #38 to Hendrick for Dale Jr.: SPEED's Bob Dilner reported on Sunday's SPEED report that Robert Yates Racing has asked NASCAR if they could transfer the #38 to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 for Dale Eanrhardt Jr. to use, the #3 in honor of his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, who ran the #3 [a few races in 1981 and then from 1984 until the 2001 Daytona 500 and won 6 of his 7 championships using #3] and the #8 of course is Dale Jr.'s car #8 since he came into the sport. No word what number David Gilliland would switch to, but RYR still has the license on the #28, last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd and has used the #90 in the past.
AND: Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday that Robert Yates Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are discussing a transfer of that number for 2008. The #38 currently is being used by David Gilliland. No formal request has been made to the NASCAR, which has to ultimately approve the transfer. Officials at Hendrick Motor Sports, Robert Yates Racing and JR Motorsports could not be reached for comment. Should RYR give up #38, it still has the rights to the #28 that was last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd. (8-27-07)

From,
Chris.

 

[TS]

The worst kept secret in NASCAR has become official:

Joe Gibbs Racing to Switch to Toyota in 2008
Team Will Field Camrys in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Grand National Series


HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 5, 2007) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), winners of three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championships and over 70 NASCAR races, will campaign Toyota Camrys in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Grand National Series beginning in 2008.

“We look forward to partnering with Toyota in NASCAR in 2008. Toyota will be hands-on with us as we become an integral part of their long-term development in NASCAR,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR.

“We have 420-plus families that are our number one priority, and taking care of them for the future is very important to us. Our people have made us as successful as we are today, and it’s those same people who will ensure our success in the future. When our teams win, those families win. We’re thrilled for everyone at JGR who will benefit from this.”

“This decision was made by all of the key leadership at JGR,” said Jimmy Makar, senior vice president of racing operations for JGR. “It was a decision made by the people in our competition department, who live by the one question whenever a decision is made regarding Joe Gibbs Racing: ‘Will this make us more competitive on the race track?’ The consensus answer was yes.”

JGR has been associated with General Motors since its debut in the 1992 Daytona 500. The team fielded Chevrolets from 1992 through 1996, switched to Pontiac in 1997, and then switched back to Chevrolet in 2003. Two of its championships came with Pontiac – Bobby Labonte in 2000 and Tony Stewart in 2002 – while the most recent championship came with Chevrolet in 2005 at the hands of Stewart. Two of JGR’s drivers – Stewart and Denny Hamlin – are currently in position to challenge for this year’s championship.

“General Motors has been a great partner to Joe Gibbs Racing, and we’ve been able to celebrate many victories together,” said Joe Gibbs, owner and founder of JGR. “GM has many great teams, and moving forward, we know they will continue to be very successful. It’s our hope we can deliver to GM their 38th Cup Series championship this season as a way to cap our 16-year relationship with them.”

“Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the most respected teams in NASCAR, a championship-caliber race team and a first-class organization,” said Jim Aust, vice president of Toyota Motorsports and president and CEO of Toyota Racing Development, USA. “We are confident that partnering with the Gibbs team will raise the level of our entire Toyota NASCAR program, and will be beneficial to all of our current teams racing the Toyota Camry.”

And if I didn't already post it, JGR's satelite team, Hall of Fame racing will also switch to Toyota beginning in '08.

 

[RACECAR]

Two very interesting finds. Looks like the question about Dale's number looks to be answered real soon and JGR looks like they will complete the circle with they're big switch to Toyota. Wonder how many rednecks are gonna be mad now.

 

[TS]

Two very interesting finds. Looks like the question about Dale's number looks to be answered real soon and JGR looks like they will complete the circle with they're big switch to Toyota. Wonder how many rednecks are gonna be mad now.

http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showpost.php?p=3537792&postcount=12

I would hate to be a NASCAR.com forum moderator/administrator right now.

 

[RACECAR]

http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showpost.php?p=3537792&postcount=12

I would hate to be a NASCAR.com forum moderator/administrator right now.

I would too. Fans like that are a bunch of idiots, using things like "Pearl Harbor" as an excuse to hate Toyota for coming and now when JGR switches to Toyota, they go nuts. These aren't real fans at all and they need to realize the sport is changing.

 

[TS]

I would too. Fans like that are a bunch of idiots, using things like "Pearl Harbor" as an excuse to hate Toyota for coming and now when JGR switches to Toyota, they go nuts. These aren't real fans at all and they need to realize the sport is changing.

Agreed, NASCAR is starting to become a world class sport, with world class manufacturers and world class driver. The days of NASCAR being a "good 'ol boys racin' series" are long gone.

News & Notes from the last few days:

Robert Yates Retiring as owner at end of '07 season
Travis Kvapil to #88
Franchitti To Ganassi?

 

[Solid Fro]

I thought it couldn't get worse than ESPN's coverage of NASCAR, but ABC proved me wrong. The HD picture is horrible, ABC's bitrate is way too low. Besides that, I don't know if anyone else is annoyed with ABC's music choice just before going to commercial? Boys Like Girls - The Great Escape, Shop Boyz - Party Like a Rockstar, Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape, Kanye West - Stronger, and countless emo bands? Seriously, what the ****? Japanese opera sounds better with NASCAR than these Top 40 losers.

 

[toyota_gt1]

i agree, if nascar has anything to do with espn/abc next year i swear...

 

[RACECAR]

I thought ABC's coverage was gonna be better, but no, its "ESPN on ABC". When I saw that before the race, I thought "Great, they're back" and the music choice before the breaks was indeed horrible. Does anyone besides me think NASCAR coming back to ESPN and ABC was a bad idea?



As for the race, well it wasn't bad(just bad annoucers) and the racing was awesome amongst the front. Looks like Jr. isn't in the chase as I hoped, but I'm looking forward to him being a new teammate at Hendrick motorsports.

 

[JohnBM01]

Dale Jr. failed to make the chase. So let me ask this question:

John's Debate! - Dale Jr. Not in the Chase
Do you think the allure of year's Chase for the Cup is lost as Dale Jr. isn't in the Chase?

Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson. Three of my favorite NASCAR drivers are in the Top 5 for the Chase. That means Jeff Gordon (2), Jimmie Johnson (1), and Carl Edwards (4?). A win-win for me.

 

[TS]

i agree, if nascar has anything to do with espn/abc next year i swear...

Yeah, I really do hope that if NASCAR is going to be on ESPN next year, they better have a new commentary crew.

As for the race, well it wasn't bad(just bad annoucers) and the racing was awesome amongst the front. Looks like Jr. isn't in the chase as I hoped, but I'm looking forward to him being a new teammate at Hendrick motorsports.

The racing was awesome. Alot of side-by-side racing, lots of lead changes, and even a wreck between 2 guys racing for the lead (bowyer and Hamlin). I gotta say though, Dale Jr. drove so hard these last few races, and his chase dreams, like his season have gone up in smoke.

Dale Jr. failed to make the chase. So let me ask this question:

John's Debate! - Dale Jr. Not in the Chase
Do you think the allure of year's Chase for the Cup is lost as Dale Jr. isn't in the Chase?

Not at all. NASCAR did a good thing be expanding the chase field to 12 drivers, there's a good batch of drivers in the chase this year and it's gonna be a fight all the way down to the last turn, of the last lap at Homestead.

 

[TwinTurbos94]

Just when you thought ESPN's commentary couldn't suck enough,here come's ESPN on ABC. Great race,but the commentary sucked. The music they picked was simply garbage.I hope it's not like this next year...


The chase is going to be good this year. Gordon,Harvick,Johnson,Stewart,Bowyer,Hamliin,man what a line up! I only wish Jr. was in it. HE gave it his all.

 

[RACECAR]

Just when you thought ESPN's commentary couldn't suck enough,here come's ESPN on ABC. Great race,but the commentary sucked. The music they picked was simply garbage.I hope it's not like this next year...

I sure hope so too. Thats the worst commentary I've ever heard. NASCAR should just stick to Fox and NBC like they have been.

I only wish Jr. was in it. HE gave it his all.

Me too. He is one of the best drivers out there who is way overdue for a championship and the way he was driving over the last few weeks is proof. Hopefully, his move to Hendrick will turn it around.

 

[Solid Fro]

You gotta be kidding me... who designs these cars?

 

[toyota_gt1]

if it wasn't a COT, i wouldn't be bad.

 

[Syxx_Killer]

Than an interesting... color scheme.

 

[opelgt1969]

You gotta be kidding me... who designs these cars?

Jr. said that he had a lot to do with the paint.

 

[RACECAR]

if it wasn't a COT, i wouldn't be bad.

Same here. sad thing about it is its officially in full effect come season 2008. I fuming at whoever designed the COT

 

[TS]

I don't find anything wrong with the paint scheme. But what doesn't exactly flatter me right now is that the 88 number will be on a car that hasn't been a Robert Yates Ford in a long, long time.

 

[toyota_gt1]

I don't find anything wrong with the paint scheme. But what doesn't exactly flatter me right now is that the 88 number will be on a car that hasn't been a Robert Yates Ford in a long, long time.

agreed. to me, the 88 will always be Dale Jarret's number although he is in the #44 car now. he had most of his sucess there (2 Daytona 500 victories, 2 Indy wins, championship etc).

 

[TwinTurbos94]

Well, I'm going to miss calling the Dale Jr. Fans the "RE(tar)D NATIONON" (or the "REDNECK Nation" when talking about the fans in Talladega,lol).On the #88 part, I thought he was going to go with 83 or 81.