NASCAR Thread.

[Nicksfix]

gotta keep in mind also that they were racing for the lucky dog in case of a caution flag , trying to get back on the lead lap

 

[wrcsti]

Like I said, people at daytona have told me it was a light drizzle. They were looking for an excuse to call it. Still it is great for kenseth who like newman hasn't been on the lucky side for a while, now he made up for it.

And Mine's_GTR. Although I'm a stewart fan I do agree they overhyped it. Gordon owns Johnsons team and gets stuff from hendrick. I miss the good old let them go at it NASCAR. Mainly the reason I'm getting more into F1.

 

[red7]

It's only natural that Vickers would block Jr. It's the 500 and they had to get their lap back. It was second nature and expected from a racer.

True, however with the run that jr. had vickers should have known better. Lets say that your in the fastlane in your own car doing 80 and someone cuts you off from the middle lane at 60mph and your surrounded in traffic.Likewise, you shut the door on someone with a run like that, with the little room they had and you will cause a wreck. Now if we only had some telemetry to see what jr's car was really doing

 

[zed300]

If they were both trying to unlap themselves,by staying at the front,and hoping for a caution,then surely you work together:idea:,as soon as you start blocking and jostling you lose time.
Vickers has every right to block,and Jr should've got back in behind cleanly, but the bottom line is they're not racing for the lead, so IMO they should've worked together to single file the front.
Letting Jr past while no-one else was going to come with him, Vickers could've followed. They would have had the run on the rest of them into the next turn, and over the next lap the rest, while running 3 wide, may have caused a caution giving "them" what they wanted.
As for finishing under red, it's always the anti-climax of it that leaves you feeling cheated out of the anxious excitement that you look for in the big races.

 

[Tornado]

Me thinks they should come up with a somewhat intelligent way of ending races when it rains rather than just calling the race. There was no reason for that finish to have occurred the way it did. The biggest race the series has, with two weeks of hype and preparation, called when it is only 3/4ths done.

 

[opelgt1969]

Me thinks they should come up with a somewhat intelligent way of ending races when it rains rather than just calling the race. There was no reason for that finish to have occurred the way it did. The biggest race the series has, with two weeks of hype and preparation, called when it is only 3/4ths done.

I'll give my age away here but back in the days of true NASCAR racing before the France family had to vacuum money from everyone the race would have started at 12:30/1:00 so they would have had time to run the full race. NASCAR need to tell the TV companies cover the entire race live or don't bid to cover them at all.

 

[Pupik]

For those of you thinking that F1 racing does not stop races due to inclement weather, nor has a "half-race" rule, please look at these wet examples:

1975 Austrian Grand Prix
1984 Monaco Grand Prix
1991 Australian Grand Prix

Also, see the 1981 and 1992 French Grands Prix, which were red-flagged during the events and re-started, so that the teams could put on dry tires, so that the race could continue to its intended distance (minus a lap or two).

For NASCAR to stop a race with just over 75% of it completed is acceptable; both within the rules, and within the rules of most forms of motor sport. If they stopped it exactly one-lap-after-half-way under yellow/red flags, then I would be dubious of the decision.

The American sports media nearly wet their pants over this, but even football games are stopped for things like excessive or nearby thunder and lightning; golf, tennis, and baseball reach for the tarps the moment it drizzles, and most other events are played indoors. Perhaps they were blinded by just a little ignorance?

 

[Earth]

There are several things that bother me about the Daytona race finishing under caution

1. Would they have called it a race if Elliott Sadler or some other low profile driver was leading?

2. Would they have called it a race if it was being televised on a lesser channel like TNT or FX which wouldn't mind the race being restarted at 11pm est?

3. Matt Kenseth led only 1 green flag lap and won the race. That's only OK if it's a last lap pass, not 75% through NASCAR's Super Bowl

4. Alot of good cars were midpack with more fuel and newer tires because of pit strategy and only needed time to get to the front. Matt Kenseth would not be the winner if they finished the race.

As for the Dale Jr and Brian Vickers incident, it was obvious to me Junior wanted to spin him out on purpose. Junior hit him perfectly, in a way that should have sent him into the infield, but Vickers over corrected and turned his spinning car right into the pack.

Jr wanted to just spin Vickers out but he never expected Vickers to wreck the car in front of everyone.

My thoughts on Logano 6 months ago:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3118584&postcount=961

 

[TS]

There are several things that bother me about the Daytona race finishing under caution

1. Would they have called it a race if Elliott Sadler or some other low profile driver was leading?

2. Would they have called it a race if it was being televised on a lesser channel like TNT or FX which wouldn't mind the race being restarted at 11pm est?

3. Matt Kenseth led only 1 green flag lap and won the race. That's only OK if it's a last lap pass, not 75% through NASCAR's Super Bowl

4. Alot of good cars were midpack with more fuel and newer tires because of pit strategy and only needed time to get to the front. Matt Kenseth would not be the winner if they finished the race.

1. Yes
2. No
3. Irrelevant, doesn't matter how many laps a driver leads in a given race, just as long as he's in the right spot in the right time, whether that be coming to the checkers or waiting for the race to be called.
4. You're probably right.

 

[JohnBM01]

Time to talk California now. The Nationwide crew will rev it up at Fontana in about an hour. Anyone have any favorites for this race or tomorrow's Nationwide race?

By the way... congratulations to Kyle Busch for winning the truck race after hard luck in the Daytona 500.

 

[Nicksfix]

As much as I dislike the guy , Kyle Busch unfortunately

 

[zed300]

... Ambrose 14th in qualifying.....he ran early and was in a good poition all the way through...Brian Vickers with pole...Scott Speed....9th.......Joe Nemechek....with the final grid spot..

Don't know the weather report, but lets hope for a fine day,as to not repeat last weeks negativity with red flag decisions.

 

[L_Hamilton]

Yeah!! Go Matt Kenseth! 2 for 2! First time since Jeff Gordon did it back in 1997. In the lead in points by -91. Tied for 2nd is Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kurt Bush. All -91 behind.

Great race. Jimmie started the race with a car that looked like it was the car to beat. His car slowly faded as Biffle started to showed his muscles by wanting a peice of the clean air. Jeff Gordon was very consistent in the race. He never fell off pace and was always in the top 5. Matt Kenseth's pit crew ( The Killer Bees) Were the guys who put the #17 car up front for the last 3 pit stops. Hats off to Drew Blickensderfer. 2 out of 2 for him. Now for Biffle and his misfortune in the pits really wrecked his chances of winning this race with the car he had.

How about those Hendrick cars? Mark Martin and Jr. out. Reason was broken valve springs and rocker arm.

Great strategies throughout the race made this 500 mile race come down to the last 15 laps.

 

[wrcsti]

This time he deserved the win. Congrats Kenseth!

 

[Solid Fro]

 

[L_Hamilton]

I like jr. He's a cool guy. He's honest and tells you stuff straight. He doesn't sugar coat anything. He needs to be more agressive.

 

[Tornado]

Perhaps they were blinded by just a little ignorance?

Daytona is the biggest, most expensive and biggest hyped event of the year; not to mention being the book end for three weeks of stuff happening at the track. It is also a track that has enough lights that they actually have a full night race later in the year, and they have finished far less important races the next day as recently as last year. None of your F1-related examples compare, and certainly not your Monaco example.

 

[Pupik]

Daytona is the biggest, most expensive and biggest hyped event of the year; not to mention being the book end for three weeks of stuff happening at the track. It is also a track that has enough lights that they actually have a full night race later in the year, and they have finished far less important races the next day as recently as last year. None of your F1-related examples compare, and certainly not your Monaco example.

The point was, F1 drops the flag early on races, too. The endless F1-versus-NASCAR or ovals-versus-road-racing debate doesn't have a winner by using any rain-ending argument, is my point. Monaco is also generally the most prestigious race on the Formula One schedule.

I was just a little put off by the total ignorance of the non-racing press about how rain affects play; not so much the fine rules of the sanctioning body, but how nearly every other sport does likewise (except maybe tennis, which could postpone a match for a week, if necessary).

 

[JohnBM01]

So a quick review from the top three NASCAR series...

* Kyle Busch won the Camping World Truck Race at California.
* Kyle Busch won the Nationwide Series race at California.
* Matt Kenseth won the Sprint Cup race at California.

A stat from this is that Kenseth has won the first two races of the season since Jeff Gordon did it in 1997. Back in 1997, NASCAR still raced at Rockingham ("The Rock"). So Kyle Busch didn't sweep the weekend. Up next, it's Busch country. Roll the dice as the NASCAR cars and stars light up Las Vegas this weekend. Home field for the Busch brothers.

Any thoughts on the Las Vegas NASCAR action?

 

[Metar]

I wish ESPN started broadcasting again. I missed Daytona, and California already. Dunno what's up with them, they aired them last year.


Also, doesn't Dale Jr., in that interview, just reek of arrogance? I mean, he practically says "I expect others to get out of my way because I'm Dale effin' Jr., and some guys don't 'respect' that" - had any other driver said this, I'd guess people would call him arrogant. Look at the protests Lewis Hamilton got when he was involved in aggressive maneuvers - did he answer "I'm McLaren's L. Hamilton, move out of the way"?

 

[Nicksfix]

Any thoughts on the Las Vegas NASCAR action?

I think you'll see a Hendrick car in victory lane at Vegas.

 

[JohnBM01]

I hope that Hendrick cars is Jeff Gordon. As much as fans want to see Dale Jr. win a title, I want Jeff Gordon to win races and eventually that fifth championship. Maybe hopefully, sixth and seventh championships. Jeff Gordon is going to go to somebody's Hall of Fame when he retires from NASCAR.

But I can only hope...

 

[ND4SPD]

I hope that Hendrick cars is Jeff Gordon. As much as fans want to see Dale Jr. win a title, I want Jeff Gordon to win races and eventually that fifth championship. Maybe hopefully, sixth and seventh championships. Jeff Gordon is going to go to somebody's Hall of Fame when he retires from NASCAR.

But I can only hope...

Agreed fully. That was an exciting last few laps. Just too bad Jeff couldn't pull it off. He'll get 'em next time.

 

[L_Hamilton]

Look for a Roush car, especially the #17 of Matt Kenseth. Two wins at Las Vegas under his belt.Carl Edwards with 1 win and Biffle with a top 5. Look for the Roush-kteers in front.

 

[Tornado]

The point was, F1 drops the flag early on races, too.

Understood. My point, in defense of the mainstream sports media; was that NASCAR had the ability, the precedent, the time and the clout to postpone the ending of the biggest motorsports race in America; but they didn't. Again.
And all not finishing the race has managed to do is cause more people to become disillusioned from the sport (conspiracy theories abound, for example) that has started to become the Bubsy of motorsports.

 

[blinky77]

Matt Kenseth winning a second Sprint Cup will be the best thing for him. People still don't like the way he won his first title. It's early in the season, but if he continues to drive at this form in the last ten races, we can now confirm Matt as one of the sport's great champions.

 

[JohnBM01]

I heard both Busch brothers qualified 1-2 at Las Vegas for the Sprint Cup race. Of Kyle and Kurt (both hometown boys), who do you think will finish better? My money would be on (not to make a Vegas pun) Kyle. I don't think that beautiful blue Miller Lite car will finish better than the M&M's Toyota.

Still, I'm pulling for Jeff Gordon. Always do.

 

[L_Hamilton]

I'm going for Matt of course, but Kurt has a really good chance. I hope he has a better finish than Kyle.

EDIT: Engine change to force Kyle Busch to back of starting grid

 

[TS]

Anybody see the Nationwide race yesterday?

Quite interesting, but there were a bunch of crashes.

 

[RACECAR]

Anybody see the Nationwide race yesterday?

Quite interesting, but there were a bunch of crashes.

I did, alot of cup drivers were involved. and most of them took place in turn 4. I don't imagine the Cup cars will do much better.