NASCAR Thread.

[TS]

Red Bull Faces Heavy Fines for Shaving weight at Martinsville

 

[RACECAR]

Camping World new sponsor for trucks
First the Cup series, then the Busch Series, now the Craftsman Truck Series


Davis in 18 as teen set for second series debut
I haven't seen a hugely competitive kind of drive from Marc in the NASCAR East Series, but it should be interesting.

 

[TS]

Camping World new sponsor for trucks
First the Cup series, then the Busch Series, now the Craftsman Truck Series

Considering in how deep a hell hole the global US economy is (goddamn bailout), there aren't many companies that are willing to shell out $20-30 million a year on NASCAR sponsorship, I think Camping World has the funding (hopefully they do anyway) to sponsor a vehicle in the Nationwide series, the truck series and be the title sponsor of the truck series.

 

[JohnBM01]

A fellow from Columbia, Missouri named Carl Edwards won at Atlanta. Carl Edwards had a good day as Jimmie Johnson came home second (I heard the #48 went a lap down) Up next- RACECAR country and my home state- Texas Motor Speedway.

 

[JohnBM01]

I really think Jimmie Johnson (unless he falls apart the remaining races) is going to win the title. Jimmie Johnson was a protegé of Jeff Gordon. Now, he's doing what Jeff Gordon has done best (except this season)- winning. He has a real race-to-win attitude and delivers with that #48 Chevy.

If he wins his third-straight championship, is okay to label him as the best-ever NASCAR racer of the modern era?

 

[01GTP]

Carl Edwards had a good day as Jimmie Johnson came home second (I heard the #48 went a lap down)

Anytime the 48 or the 24 go down (whatever reason) early in a race you can bet they will either win or get at least a top 3 finish.
Whenever they have trouble early on I always think to myself..... Damn, now he's going to win.
For instance yesterday (though not early in the race).
Jimmie had a pit road speeding penalty that put him down to 30th position, 1 lap down. He rallied back and with a late caution, free pass and 4 new tires Jimmie drove to the front.
Its too bad you missed it.

I really think Jimmie Johnson (unless he falls apart the remaining races) is going to win the title.
If he wins his third-straight championship, is okay to label him as the best-ever NASCAR racer of the modern era?

I think its probably OK to say that already.
I am a Jeff Burton fan so I'm not being biased in saying this, but Jimmie is a good driver.


May the best driver win the Cup.



I am biased towards the #3.

 

[JohnBM01]

If Jeff Gordon doesn't win, it will be his first time in 14 years. He has been the most consistent racer to get at least one win. He's ahead of Tony Stewart (9) and Jimmie Johnson (6) as far as active drivers who have won at least one race each season. He's on a 38-race losing streak. I don't think my home state's best NASCAR track is going to help the #24's chances.



John's Commentary: NASCAR at Texas
Texas Motor Speedway is a tricky animal. I always call it road course that's also a superspeedway. There aren't as many lanes for passing as well as how brutal this track can be. This is a track where you may have to take some chances riding the high banks of this oval. Texas Motor Speedway is a tough challenge. We'll see who's game enough when the Sprint Cup boys take on Texas one last time this season.

 

[RACECAR]

Team co-owner McClure indicted for tax violations

First Helio, now McClure. Good grief people, you can't have all that money now

 

[JohnBM01]

Looks like Jeff Gordon won the pole at Texas. The rest of the drivers are basically the "Go or Go Home" drivers. Jeff Gordon hasn't done very well at Texas, and he's 6th in the points. He's basically out of the championship, but a win will give him hope for 2009. Or am I being too hard on my favorite driver?

 

[TS]

Team co-owner McClure indicted for tax violations

First Helio, now McClure. Good grief people, you can't have all that money now

Considering how you need a PhD in economics to understand how to properly file your taxes, I don't blame people for not doing it themselves.

 

[JohnBM01]

Anyone have any picks for Sunday's race at Texas?

 

[RACECAR]

Anyone have any picks for Sunday's race at Texas?

Not quite sure here but boy, you guys need to turn on Speed channel right now, lol

 

[CAMikaze]

Yeah, saw some of the hosts dress up in costumes from the Wizard of Oz.

Also, you heard about the new main sponsor for the Jeff Burton's car for next season? It's gonna be Caterpillar and I had a chance to see the livery for his car a few minutes ago on Trackside. If you look closely at the side of the car, you'll notice the bulldozer profile in the yellow area.

Ward also said something about giving the various CAT machinery a try in a few weeks. You think he might test drive one of the CAT tractor trucks if they have one available?

 

[JohnBM01]

Didn't WARD Burton race a CAT car? This like a tribute to him or something? I just find that pretty interesting.

 

[RACECAR]

Didn't WARD Burton race a CAT car? This like a tribute to him or something? I just find that pretty interesting.

He did. In fact, he was the original driver of the #22 Caterpiller Dodge for Bill Davis racing.

 

[01GTP]

Older but faster.

It is interesting that CAT decided to go with RCR and Jeff Burton.

The fact that CAT could have gone to most any available team says a lot about the business and/or personal side of NASCAR and its sponsors.
I wonder how this association (CAT/RCR) got started in the first place.
It is good to see CAT back in the Cup series.
Dave Blaney put in some good races with Bill Davis and CAT, but I'm sure CAT is looking for a more competitive turnout with Jeff Burton.
Who knows, if Burton wins the Cup, CAT will be in the lime light next year. What a way to start next year.

I just remembered, I was at Ward Burton's Daytona win.

Anyway, Good Luck to CAT and Jeff Burton.

 

[TS]

Anyone have any picks for Sunday's race at Texas?

Carl Edwards.

 

[JohnBM01]

And your Dickies 500 winner is... Carl Edwards! That's two straight wins for Carl Edwards, right? We'll see if he can keep it going when NASCAR heads to Phoenix International Raceway next weekend.

On the SPEED Report, I heard of what David Gilliland(?) did to former F1, 1999 (then) CART champion, and Indy 500 winner - Juan Pablo Montoya. When I saw the hit, it looked like the #42 just got blind-sided. If this was basketball, that hit Gilliland put on Montoya would have been a Flagrant Foul. Just a thug-like hit on Montoya.

 

[TS]

Good on NASCAR for parking Gilliland for his stupid actions towards Montoya, you can knock a guy around like that at Bristol or Martinsville, but not Texas.

Edwards was able to knock off about 80 points from Jimmie Johnson's (who finished 15th) points lead going into my hometown, Phoenix!

 

[L_Hamilton]

I can't believe someone like Gilliland would do such a thing. Ok, some bumping and banging, but you don't T.K.O. a guy thats on the lead lap and your not.


What a run and gamble by Bob Osborne and the guys. Very gutsy but it got the job done and the win, and 77 points off of Johnson.

Go Carl for '08 Champion!!

 

[RACECAR]

Its Jimmie's title now. He keeps up upfront and all he has to do is start next and its his.

 

[TS]

It's still possible for Edwards to win it though, I think Johnson has to finish about 37th or worse at Homestead and Edwards has to win.

 

[JohnBM01]

This must be a trait of American sports... with a chance to win a championship for good, it has to come down to the final event. I like both Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards, so I'm happy as to whomever becomes champion. I think Carl Edwards will be a champion (maybe for multiple times in Sprint Cup), but this is the #48's year. He'll be his own dynasty. I can't remember the last time a NASCAR Cup racer won three successive titles. Maybe Dale Earnhardt Sr. or Richard Petty...

Anyhow, if Jimmie Johnson wins the championship, he'll further cement himself as one of the best racers in NASCAR today. So this one is simple: J. Johnson or C. Edwards?

 

[01GTP]

So this one is simple: J. Johnson or C. Edwards?

Johnson

 

[RACECAR]

This must be a trait of American sports... with a chance to win a championship for good, it has to come down to the final event. I like both Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards, so I'm happy as to whomever becomes champion. I think Carl Edwards will be a champion (maybe for multiple times in Sprint Cup), but this is the #48's year. He'll be his own dynasty. I can't remember the last time a NASCAR Cup racer won three successive titles. Maybe Dale Earnhardt Sr. or Richard Petty...

The last person to do so I think was Cale Yarburough (hope that is spelled right).

Anyhow, if Jimmie Johnson wins the championship, he'll further cement himself as one of the best racers in NASCAR today. So this one is simple: J. Johnson or C. Edwards?

I think Johnson.

 

[nissan tuner]

Johnson will clinch the sprint cup if he finishes 36th or higher. Some crazy crap has to happen for Edwards to win the title.

Be sure to check out the Nationwide and Craftsman races too. Both are ridiculously close!

 

[RACECAR]

Johnson will clinch the sprint cup if he finishes 36th or higher. Some crazy crap has to happen for Edwards to win the title.

Be sure to check out the Nationwide and Craftsman races too. Both are ridiculously close!

Indeed. Only three points between Benson and Hornaday! And Carl is also closing in on Clint Bowyer.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

It's incredible. Johnson has had such a turnaround of fortunes, from starting really poorly to his awesome Chase run. He and his team have really embodied the "stick at it; never give up" mentality. And to think he's gone a lap down in two of the Chase races.

He's surely got the title tucked up now.

 

[TS]

Big merger today, Chip Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc., expected to be a 4 car team with Martin Truex Jr. (1), Aric Almirola (8), Juan Pablo Montoya (42) and a fourth driver to be named in the 41. ROTY contender Regan Smith looks to be the odd man out in this deal.

NEWS

Earnhardt and Ganassi Form New Four-Car Team

Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is Created

MOORESVILLE and CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2008) – Two of motorsports’ biggest names – Earnhardt and Ganassi – will launch a four-car team beginning in 2009 through the combination of the motorsports operations of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Inc. (CGRFS). NASCAR stars Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the Nos. 1 and 42 respectively and future star Aric Almirola will be behind the wheel of the No. 8. The driver of the No. 41 will be named in the near future.

“In this ultra-competitive era of NASCAR, it is necessary to build and sustain the strongest team possible and our combining with the people and equipment at Dale Earnhardt Inc. will help create a strong four-car program for years to come,” said Chip Ganassi. “This is a win-win for both organizations as well as all of our partners.”

“Having a partner like Chip who is heavily involved on the competition side of the business is an ideal situation for DEI,” Teresa Earnhardt said. “He has a long history of managing championship teams in the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am Series and I share his passion and goals of winning races and ultimately championships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I think this is a case where we are stronger together than we are apart.”

Details of the new four-car operation will be announced at a future date.

About Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Formed by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt in 1980, Dale Earnhardt Inc. has won more than 100 races in NASCAR competition including three Daytona 500s and six championships in the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series. The legacy of the late Dale Earnhardt lives on through not only Dale Earnhardt Inc. but also the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, a charitable organization committed to those things that were important to Dale – education, children, the environment and wildlife preservation.

About Chip Ganassi Racing
With 14 wins in 2008, the team is enjoying its most successful season in history as it continues to add to its tally of 103 trips to victory lane. Chip Ganassi created his own one-car IndyCar team in 1990 and established a partnership with a new sponsor, Target. Today, his teams include two IRL IndyCars, and along with Felix Sabates he has two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, one entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and a Daytona Prototype in the world of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series racing. Ganassi’s IndyCar teams have amassed six Championships and 64 wins since 1994; his NASCAR teams have 12 wins and two Rookie-of-the-Year titles; and the Grand American team has won three Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Championships and are the three-time defending Champions of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Chip Ganassi Racing operates out of state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis, Ind., and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.

 

[nissan tuner]

so are they running all chevy's or dodge's?