NASCAR Thread.

[Northstar]

I only got to see the last 20 laps or so, so I'm hoping someone can fill me in as to why JJ Yeley was in the 9 car?

Anyways, it has been a great season for McMurray.

 

[Cale]

I only got to see the last 20 laps or so, so I'm hoping someone can fill me in as to why JJ Yeley was in the 9 car?

Anyways, it has been a great season for McMurray.

Khane wrecked it early and probably didn't want to get back in.

 

[RACECAR]

I only got to see the last 20 laps or so, so I'm hoping someone can fill me in as to why JJ Yeley was in the 9 car?

Anyways, it has been a great season for McMurray.

From what I heard, he wasn't feeling too well and felt he shouldn't get back in the car so they sought out JJ yeley and the rest is history.

 

[Starfirebird]

Woot! Jamie wins!!!!

Glad to see McMurray win.

As long as cry baby Kyle Busch or Johnson doesn't win i'm happy. 👍

 

[Fuzzy]

Fantastic job by Jaime McMurray collecting his third win of the year. 👍

 

[CodeRedR51]

Anyone have any additional info about possible new noses on the cars for next year? I caught a brief discussion about it before the race that Toyota and I believe Chevy have already submitted theirs, and they were waiting on Ford and Dodge. Complete changes, or minor tweaks?

 

[Northstar]

Anyone have any additional info about possible new noses on the cars for next year? I caught a brief discussion about it before the race that Toyota and I believe Chevy have already submitted theirs, and they were waiting on Ford and Dodge. Complete changes, or minor tweaks?

You can see picks of the Chevrolet's and Toyota's here. Doesn't look very major.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Looks like they're just bringing the bottom out some and losing the splitter supports.

 

[Cale]

Yeah it's closer to the restrictor plate last gen cars.

 

[JohnBM01]

Congratulations to Jamie Mac on winning at Charlotte this past Saturday night. Up next... the half-mile purgatory known as Martinsville. Racing should be insane there (as it usually is).

Congratulations to Jamie Mac on winning at Charlotte this past Saturday night. Up next... the half-mile purgatory known as Martinsville. Racing should be insane there (as it usually is).

Here's the standings as we've reached the halfway point of the Chase (source: Yahoo! Sports):
01: Jimmie Johnson - 5843 pts.
02: Denny Hamlin - 5802 pts.
03: Kevin Harvick - 5766 pts.
04: Jeff Gordon - 5687 pts.
05: Kyle Busch - 5666 pts.
06: Tony Stewart - 5666 pts.
07: Carl Edwards - 5643 pts.
08: Greg Biffle - 5618 pts.
09: Kurt Busch - 5606 pts.
10: Jeff Burton - 5604 pts.
11: Matt Kenseth - 5587 pts.
12: Clint Bowyer - 5543 pts.

The Charlotte race was the ESPN on ABC finale of NASCAR for 2010. Every remaining race is on the ESPN networks.
10/24 - Martinsville
10/31 - Talladega
11/7 - Texas
11/14 - Phoenix
11/21 - Homestead

So... who do you think will win the title? What trailing driver has the best chance of bouncing back and winning it all?


Finally, some sad news... Jeff Byrd died yesterday after battling a lengthy illness. He was 60 years old. More information here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=ArwBkNDNe5lPNzvhVS0awyzov7YF?slug=ap-nascar-obit-byrd .

 

[Northstar]

Looks like they're just bringing the bottom out some and losing the splitter supports.

Pretty much, supposedly there is going to be a "new" car in 2013 and that one will have more drastic changes.

 

[Fuzzy]

Just went on Jayski.com and looked at some of the drivers new paint schemes for next year. Some good ones, plus it looks like Kevin Harvick's Budweiser will not be in red. Here's the new look #29.

http://jayski.com/schemes/2011/29cup.htm

 

[CodeRedR51]

^^^ Still kind of bland though.

 

[RACECAR]

^^^ Still kind of bland though.

I don't know, I'd say its kind of minimalist. In fact, the black seems to work better with the numbers then the red did.

 

[Cale]

Black is definitely better.

 

[TS]

I did the new splitter without the braces.

 

[GTPorsche]

Harvick's car next year is most likely a tribute to Dale Earnhardt Sr. It will mark the 10th anniversary of his death in 2011. Otherwise I'd expect the car to be red, just like every other Bud car.

 

[Northstar]

Kahne is out of the 9 car effective immediate.

Kahne released from RPM ride: Kasey Kahne was released from Richard Petty Motorsports on Wednesday night, clearing the way for him to join Red Bull Racing for the final five races of the season. RPM announced Kahne was out of the #9 Ford effective immediately, and Aric Almirola would drive the car this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Almirola had been on NASCAR's entry list to drive the #83 Toyota for Red Bull. But the plans apparently were scrapped after Kahne's blowup Saturday night when his brakes failed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kahne exploded in anger on the radio when his brakes failed for the third time this season, second time in two races. It led to a wreck with Sam Hornish Jr., and Kahne refused to get back in the car after it was repaired. He cited illness for not going back on the track, and the team used J.J. Yeley to finish the race.(Associated Press)(10-20-2010)

It's surprising, yet not surprising at the same time.

 

[RACECAR]

Kahne is out of the 9 car effective immediate.



It's surprising, yet not surprising at the same time.

Honestly, I kinda saw it coming since Kahne has apparently shown some frustraition towards RPM and the fact that Reed suspiciously had his last ride in the car at Charlotte. Really, the writing was on the wall.

 

[Fuzzy]

No surprise there, I definitely understand Kasey Kahne's frustrations this season. I just feel that there's too much reliability issues within RPM.

 

[Northstar]

Apparently this weekend may be the last one RPM even exists.

RPM may not run past Martinsville: The house of cards is finally falling for George Gillett's Richard Petty Motorsports. The assembly line from Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates engines has stopped running to RPM. Engines have been picked up, cars have been repossessed, and sources on both sides -- RPM and RFR -- say no cars will be delivered beyond Martinsville this weekend. On Thursday morning, crewmen at RPM were told they may not have jobs after the race at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Neither Petty team CEO Foster Gillett nor team Vice President Robbie Loomis could be reached for comment. RPM currently fields four cars in the Sprint Cup Series -- the #9, #19, #43 and #98. Kasey Kahne was released from his contract as of Wednesday night and is expected to drive for Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the year and in 2011. Elliott Sadler is expected to drive for Kevin Harvick Inc. next year. Paul Menard signed a multi-year deal to drive for Richard Childress Racing starting next year. His current crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe will continue his duties at RCR. AJ Allmendinger re-signed a multiyear deal to drive the #43 Ford this summer. Allmendinger is currently 20th in the point standings. Marcos Ambrose was signed to drive the #19 Ford in August. Ambrose currently drives for JTG/Daugherty Racing and is 26th in the point standings.(Fox Sports)(10-21-2010)

Sucks to hear that 2 talented drivers may be screwed out of rides next year.

 

[Fuzzy]

This is very interesting. George Gillett co-owner of RPM, used to be co-owner of Liverpool Football Club. However, he lost ownership in a major dispute to John Henry, who is co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. I wonder if they are at it again, but this time in NASCAR.

But like Justin said, it would be a shame if Marcos Ambrose and AJ Allmendinger were without a ride next year.

 

[Northstar]

This is very interesting. George Gillett co-owner of RPM, used to be co-owner of Liverpool Football Club. However, he lost ownership in a major dispute to John Henry, who is co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. I wonder if they are at it again, but this time in NASCAR.

I think it has more to do with horrible management, Gillett initially bought into Evernham simply as an investment opportunity. I don't think he really expected to wind up owning it outright, than he merged with another organization that hasn't had very good management for some time.

 

[SuperShouden]

Turned to Speed and finally caught one of the "Car of Tomorrow" races. And...well...at least you can tell what car someone's driving from a distance now. Other than that, it's still NASCAR. I still say they need to switch to the Road Courses on every track that has one. NASCAR road racing is far more interesting. I mean, look at Grand-Am. Beats watching guys turn left for 2-3 hours.

 

[Northstar]

Turned to Speed and finally caught one of the "Car of Tomorrow" races. And...well...at least you can tell what car someone's driving from a distance now. Other than that, it's still NASCAR. I still say they need to switch to the Road Courses on every track that has one. NASCAR road racing is far more interesting.

I agree they need to do more road courses(I have no clue why Montreal and Road America aren't on the cup calender). But most infield courses aren't made for 43 cars.

I mean, look at Grand-Am. Beats watching guys turn left for 2-3 hours.

Surely this isn't necessary, starting crap isn't a good thing to do here.

 

[RACECAR]

I'm beginning to wonder if Kasey saw this coming before everyone else did. Really sucks because AJ was on a roll and then they had Marcos coming, who was already improving. Now they've got nothing. I'm hoping they get rides next year. Maybe we could see:


-Sadler in the 2 full time for KHI in the trucks (was already mentioned in the article, but they didn't specifically state Nationwide or Trucks)

-Marcos replacing Regan in th 6 car(more like I want to see this happen because I hate Ragan)

-AJ in a third car for EGR (not likely)

 

[Ian Poole]

Be such a shame if AJ doesn't get a drive next year, for me, he has been the most improved driver after J-Mac. I think with AJ, we are seeing another one of those three year transitions because, if I am right, he debuted a couple of years ago and he is starting to get his foot through the door.

he has knocked on it a few times, Dover he was awesome and for some bad luck, he might have won the race. He had another good showing at So-Cal and last weekend, he showed well again.

I think I have a theory that I would like to throw at everyone here. I think, if RPM doesn't make next year, which all the signs are that it won't, there is a spare seat in the 12 @ Penske next year with Kurt moving to the 22 and Crasholowski taking over the blue deuce. Failing that, the RBR team had a speare seat with the 82 going and, if memory serves me correctly, I think Aj drove for Red Bull or a Red Bull sponsored car in Champ Car.

But, let's hope that The King still has his team there next year

 

[CodeRedR51]

Surely this isn't necessary, starting crap isn't a good thing to do here.

👍

 

[01GTP]

It would be too bad for NASCAR not to have the King around the infield each week.
We'll see what happens.

Turned to Speed and finally caught one of the "Car of Tomorrow" races. And...well...at least you can tell what car someone's driving from a distance now. Other than that, it's still NASCAR. I still say they need to switch to the Road Courses on every track that has one. NASCAR road racing is far more interesting. I mean, look at Grand-Am. Beats watching guys turn left for 2-3 hours.

I have no problem telling the cars apart.
But I probably watch more NASCAR than you.

I don't think NASCAR needs more road courses anymore than Grand-Am needs to start racing ovals.
NASCAR was born on ovals and should stay that way.
I don't mind that they go to those tracks but they don't need more road courses.
I would rather they go to old tracks that they don't go to anymore.

If fans want to watch road courses there are plenty of other series to watch.

 

[Northstar]

Well in more Kasey Kahne related news.

Two people familiar with Kasey Kahne joining Red Bull said he'll replace Scott Speed next year in the two-driver lineup. Kahne will take over Speed's #82 team, but the car number will be changed to #4 to mimic what Kahne uses in sprint car competition. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because Red Bull has not announced its full 2011 plans (Associated Press).
As reported before, Kahne's crew chief at Richard Petty Motorsports, Kenny Francis, will move over to Red Bull Racing in 2011 to be Kahne's crew chief in 2011. Current #83 crew chief, Jimmy Elledge is likely the odd crew chief out at Red Bull Racing. Ryan Pemberton, the crew chief for the current #82 team, would move back to the #83 team with Vickers. Also some rumors have been floated out there that Red Bull Racing could switch from Toyota to Chevy, with engines and chassis coming from Hendrick Motorsports. Kahne will move to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, to the #5 Chevy.(10-21-2010)

Not sure how credible the Toyota to Chevrolet rumors are as they have been rumored to be making the switch the last 3 years.

Of course this leaves what Red Bull will do in '12 a rather unknown. Personally I think it would be best if they were to work with JR Motorsports to put Allgaier in a Nationwide car(probably the 88) with Red Bull sponsorship for '11 and move him to Cup in '12. Of course this situation would require the Toyota to Chevrolet rumors to be true, but even if they aren't they could align with one of the other Nationwide Toyota teams.

Seems like the next week could be interesting, not exactly great news though.