NASCAR Thread.

[TS]

Is anyone watching the race in HD? It doesn't seem as good compared to Fox or TNT. ESPN has great baseball coverage in HD, I don't know why NASCAR looks so bad.

The HD wasn't very good on ESPN, but ironically (on my TV anyway), ESPN2 & ABC have better quality even if shows aren't broadcasted in HD.

The announcers are so boring, I cannot tell the difference between the two (or three?). I have no clue.

I agree, they need some more colorful characters on the ESPN telecasts, although I did like the explinations that Tim Brewer gave in the tech garage. BTW, there were 3 announcers. (Jerry Punch, Rusty Wallace & Andy Petree)

Your comment made me realize that the ESPN announce team (Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, and Rusty Wallace) have absolutely no emotions whatsoever. It's like they're not putting forth their best effort. I thought that at least Rusty would've had emotion in his voice, but I was wrong. Now the best commentators for emotion are in my opinion the FOX crew (Darrell Waltrip, Larry McRenyolds, and Mike Joy). Finally, *spoiler alert* Tony Stewart won the Brickyard 400. *end spoiler alert*

Don't forget Jeff Hammond as part of that fox cast.

Anyway, did anyone figure out what happened to Harvick after he got called to the NASCAR hauler after the race?

 

[toyota_gt1]

yeah him and tony was rubbing fenders when stewart got by him with 10 to go. then after the race kevin came up and gave him a couple more donuts.
btw i aslo think the espn commentators are terrible. run fox full time nascar!

 

[TwinTurbos94]

I second having FOX for full time coverage! Although the bad side is the unofficial NASCAR channel, SPEED will become the NASCAR channel..

I thought having ESPN back, was going to be great like the old days. What happend?

Also, Harvick and Stewart didn't get in trouble. It was an honest misunderstanding on NASCAR's part. They thought that contact was serious.

 

[DavidRoy90]

[SARCASM]Well of course the contact wasn't serious. If Mika Salo doesn't deserve to get punished after Mid-Ohio than Kevin Harvick sure as heck doesn't![/SARCASM]

Dave

 

[RVDNuT374]

I thought having ESPN back, was going to be great like the old days. What happened?

I thought the exact same way as you did. What happened was that ESPN changed the crew around from 3 good guys (Bob Jenkins, the late Benny Parsons, and Ned Jarrett) to 3 guys who sound like they're commentating a knitting contest. I third the motion that FOX should get all 36 races a year. 👍 But that would mean the further demise of Speed Channel into an all Nascar channel. 👎

 

[RACECAR]

I missed the race sunday, but was able to watch it earlier on speed. Wow, the commentators are dry as a bone. There was no sense of excitment as I was watching. and I don't know if anyone else heard this, but apparently Rusty Wallace hasn't heard of Juan montoya as during the final two laps, he said "to come here at this track, never been here in his life". WTF? How is this possible if he is a Indy 500 winner? Bad idea for ESPN to broadcast NASCAR. They sound bad enough doing coverage of the IRL.

Heres a video of the last 10 laps of the race. notice at 7 laps to go When tony takes both hands off the steering wheel and takes a drink. Also, listen during the final 2 laps for rusty's comment about montoya,

 

[MustangSVT]

I missed the race sunday, but was able to watch it earlier on speed. Wow, the commentators are dry as a bone. There was no sense of excitment as I was watching. and I don't know if anyone else heard this, but apparently Rusty Wallace hasn't heard of Juan montoya as during the final two laps, he said "to come here at this track, never been here in his life". WTF? How is this possible if he is a Indy 500 winner? Bad idea for ESPN to broadcast NASCAR. They sound bad enough doing coverage of the IRL.

Heres a video of the last 10 laps of the race. notice at 7 laps to go When tony takes both hands off the steering wheel and takes a drink. Also, listen during the final 2 laps for rusty's comment about montoya,

I watched it on Speed as well. All the commentators sounded the same which was frankly boring. And Rusy Wallace's comment, I guess he doesn't know who Montoya is, LOL. As a big fan of Montoya myself (and really the only reason I watch NASCAR is because of him), I didn't like his comment at all. He needs to learn more about these racing drivers.

 

[RACECAR]

I just got though watching the busch race and I am Just Fumming at what just happened:

Robby Gordon - is a complete idiot, I have lost all the respect I had for him after what he did today. All of it was Just unacceptable. While battling for the lead with Marcos, He is accidentally spun around by Marcos so for some stupid reason, he decides he is gonna hit Marcos ambrose under caution. NASCAR tells him he has to go to the back, He says "no" and on the restart, he spins marcos and his lead is taken away and he is relagated to 18th. afterwards, he's up there doing donuts like he won and after the race, he claims "I won and Marcos was slow whe n Icame up and thats what happens" I think he should have been parked instead of being relegated to 18th.
Kevin Harvick - I'm Upset with him. He spins Pruett, which in turns spins Ron Fellows, and the only thing he has to say about that is "He shouldn't have given me the grass" WTF? and just to Burn me even more then I can stand, he wins the race. I can't believe he doesn't get a Drive-thru or stop 'N go penalty for that. That is twice in a row that Scott Pruett has had his day effectively ended and while he doesn't have me anywhere as Steaming as Gordon does(and people say Tony steward is a big baby), he still shouldn't have done what he did. I just hope tomarrow he doesn't o anything as rediculous as he did today.

Now on the other hand, there were some happy moments. Patrick Carpantier Finished second after a good battle and even did some donuts. Well done to him:tup:

well, thats my take of the Inaugaral Busch race and I hate the fact that the Canadian fans had to see an idiot lose his mind and one of there home town heroes have his run effectively ended. What about you guys?

 

[TS]

Damn, that Montreal race was wild, definetly hope it stays on the Busch schedule next year.

I just got though watching the busch race and I am Just Fumming at what just happened:

Robby Gordon - is a complete idiot, I have lost all the respect I had for him after what he did today. All of it was Just unacceptable. While battling for the lead with Marcos, He is accidentally spun around by Marcos so for some stupid reason, he decides he is gonna hit Marcos ambrose under caution. NASCAR tells him he has to go to the back, He says "no" and on the restart, he spins marcos and his lead is taken away and he is relagated to 18th. afterwards, he's up there doing donuts like he won and after the race, he claims "I won and Marcos was slow whe n Icame up and thats what happens" I think he should have been parked instead of being relegated to 18th.

At first, he was told to fall behind the 33 of Fellows, who was running 4th or 5th at the time, then the officials decided to move him to the back, that's when he refused to move. His lead wasn't taken away because of him spinning Ambrose out after the restart, it was because he failed to move to the back of the pack & after failing to serve the black flag penalty.

I do have to respect the fact for him being mad at Ambrose for spinning him, but I don't think he should've gone as far as he did, I would've done what the officials told me do & try to make something half-way decent out of it.

Kevin Harvick - I'm Upset with him. He spins Pruett, which in turns spins Ron Fellows, and the only thing he has to say about that is "He shouldn't have given me the grass" WTF? and just to Burn me even more then I can stand, he wins the race. I can't believe he doesn't get a Drive-thru or stop 'N go penalty for that. That is twice in a row that Scott Pruett has had his day effectively ended and while he doesn't have me anywhere as Steaming as Gordon does(and people say Tony steward is a big baby), he still shouldn't have done what he did. I just hope tomarrow he doesn't o anything as rediculous as he did today.

I was quite surprised that he attemped to pass Pruett like that, considering he typically races quite clean, that move was really uncalled for on his part & unfortunatley NASCAR let him take the 2 positions (which would end up with him winning) he gained by causing that 5+ car pileup.

Scott Pruett doesn't seem to have the luck he has in the Busch series like he does in the Rolex DP series (which ironically went downhill in the Montreal race Friday night), he always finds himself to be in the right place at the wrong time (no, that wasn't a typo), he seems to be in contention for a win only to be wrecked, which is a shame because he's always the favorite of the road course ringers to win.

I do have to say that the 2 of the Canadian drivers; Patrick Carpentier & Ron Fellows did a steallar job today, especially Carpentier, who started 1st & finished 2nd in his NBS debut.

 

[RACECAR]

Damn, that Montreal race was wild, definetly hope it stays on the Busch schedule next year.



At first, he was told to fall behind the 33 of Fellows, who was running 4th or 5th at the time, then the officials decided to move him to the back, that's when he refused to move. His lead wasn't taken away because of him spinning Ambrose out after the restart, it was because he failed to move to the back of the pack & after failing to serve the black flag penalty.

Looks like I missed that a bit because honestly, the commentators didn't make it clear that he was already relegated till after he spun Ambrose, which was why I percieved that result.

I do have to respect the fact for him being mad at Ambrose for spinning him, but I don't think he should've gone as far as he did, I would've done what the officials told me do & try to make something half-way decent out of it.

As bad as My day could have been, I would have done the same. I just don't find what he does to ambrose during the caution, and after the caution acceptable. Not even Steward goes this far when his day is bad and I feel so sorry for Fellows, and especially, Pruett and ambrose as they really didn't deserve the luck they have had today.

And I'm proud of Carpentier for getting the pole and finishing 2nd, he really deserved it. I just hope Robby (or harvick) don't repeat what happened here tommarrow.

 

[opelgt1969]

All of this is just another NASCAR blunder. It's NASCAR's fault for letting the green flag wave before sorting this out, and yes Robbie should have been the lead car when the green flew. He was in the lead when the caution came out.

 

[RACECAR]

"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070805/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ne/car_nascar_gordon_suspended

Well, at least i won't have to worry about him repeating his inexcusable action.

 

[TS]

All of this is just another NASCAR blunder. It's NASCAR's fault for letting the green flag wave before sorting this out, and yes Robbie should have been the lead car when the green flew. He was in the lead when the caution came out.

I agree, NASCAR should've waited for Robbie to assume the position that he was in, or park him for not listening to thier directions.

 

[RACECAR]

I agree, NASCAR should've waited for Robbie to assume the position that he was in, or park him for not listening to thier directions.

I agree with parking him for not listening. he had enough time to go in behind the #33 car, yet he refused to.

 

[RACECAR]

It appears Robby is on thin ice. Check This out: NASCAR Takes action

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

Robby did something right because it looks like Ambrose is going to race on Gordons team this week at Watkins Glen.

 

[DavidRoy90]

Hey RACECAR, I have nothing constructive to add, just noticed you have "When in doubt, just whip it out!" in your sig, are you by chance a Ted Nugent fan?!

Dave

 

[Tornado]

You know, as someone who hates Gordon, NASCAR has been doing some totally retarded things recently. And he was clearly in the position he claimed he was in when the caution came out, so his actions, while quite extreme, are justified in my eyes.
And NASCAR saying that his actions in spinning Ambrose out was "intentional" is laughable at best. Its NASCAR. You start penalizing accidents as intentional and every race would have lists of penalties. You can't hand out penalties just to make an example yet ignore it all of the other times.

 

[RACECAR]

Hey RACECAR, I have nothing constructive to add, just noticed you have "When in doubt, just whip it out!" in your sig, are you by chance a Ted Nugent fan?!

Dave

I think I've heard of him from somewhere, but I actually came across this Power Ranger spoof on youtube were they actually quoted that and I was dying laughing so I thought "I have got to put that in my sig".

 

[DavidRoy90]

You know, as someone who hates Gordon, NASCAR has been doing some totally retarded things recently. And he was clearly in the position he claimed he was in when the caution came out, so his actions, while quite extreme, are justified in my eyes.
And NASCAR saying that his actions in spinning Ambrose out was "intentional" is laughable at best. Its NASCAR. You start penalizing accidents as intentional and every race would have lists of penalties. You can't hand out penalties just to make an example yet ignore it all of the other times.

Kinda why NASCAR tends to be a big joke amongst the hardcore road racing fans. Heck even guys who love the Indy Cars, Sprint Cars, and even ARCA and USAR cars on ovals, have a good laugh at NASCAR "racing".

Dave

 

[Tornado]

Yeah...I think its about time that NASCAR strickens any mention of the ridiculous "Top 36" rule from the rulebook. Its getting rather stupid that Nascar has repeatedly refused to run qualifying on another day when it is rained out; and it certainly doesn't help with Nascar's notion that they are trying to make the series less expensive for privateers.

 

[JohnBM01]

Oh, my aching heart... Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards fell to Tony Stewart. J. Gordon's spin was unforced. Carl Edwards went for it all, and missed out. Let me give you a football analogy. Jeff Gordon's error was more like trying to run down the clock after leading... all to commit a fumble that ends up in the defense's hands. Carl Edwards' moment was more like trying to make a long pass play to make a touchdown... only to be intercepted in the late stages. Tony Stewart basically won this race fair and square. So congrats to Tony Stewart.

John's Debate! - Road Racing
1.) What is the best road course that any division of NASCAR (including none of the top three touring series) races?
2.) What road course would serve as the best possible road course for any of NASCAR's top three series to race?
3.) (a) Should the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to road racing? (b) Where would be a great road racing venue for the trucks?

 

[opendriver]

John's Debate! - Road Racing
1.) What is the best road course that any division of NASCAR (including none of the top three touring series) races?
2.) What road course would serve as the best possible road course for any of NASCAR's top three series to race?
3.) (a) Should the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to road racing? (b) Where would be a great road racing venue for the trucks?

1) Infineon
2) Infinoen
3) Infineon

Why? Because I want to go watch everything that happens

But for racings sake, I think:

1) Infineon, still
2) Dont know the name of the track, but it was in canada last week for the bush race
3) Hells yes, CTS needs to be on road courses, watching them on bristol is to much fun

I wonder what one of the cars of tomorrow would do on the 'Ring? Would they even allow it?

 

[Syxx_Killer]

John's Debate! - Road Racing
1.) What is the best road course that any division of NASCAR (including none of the top three touring series) races?
2.) What road course would serve as the best possible road course for any of NASCAR's top three series to race?
3.) (a) Should the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to road racing? (b) Where would be a great road racing venue for the trucks?

1. Infineon - Namely because it is such a fun course to race on GT4.

2. Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, Canada.

3. a.) Yes! b.) Maybe the road course at Indy. Might as well put it to good use since F1 don't want it no more.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

John's Debate! - Road Racing
1.) What is the best road course that any division of NASCAR (including none of the top three touring series) races?
2.) What road course would serve as the best possible road course for any of NASCAR's top three series to race?
3.) (a) Should the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to road racing? (b) Where would be a great road racing venue for the trucks?[/QUOTE]

1. Gilles Villeneuve circuit
2. I want Nurburgring but Gilles Villeneuve circuit is a good one or Daytona's course
3. A - yes B - Watkins Glen

 

[WallRunner]

Gilles Villeneuve is already on the busch schedule, which is one of the NASCAR's 3 top series, infact they raced on it two weeks ago.

From,
Chris.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

Yea but I'm talking about having Nextel Cup go there.

 

[Blackbird.]

Do you think it was right for Montoya to block Truex like he did in the straight before Turn 1 where he got hit from behind and collected Harvick with him? He said he had a longer first gear then everyone else which I'd have to guess would make him slower acceleration wise no?

 

[RACECAR]

Oh, my aching heart... Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards fell to Tony Stewart. J. Gordon's spin was unforced. Carl Edwards went for it all, and missed out. Let me give you a football analogy. Jeff Gordon's error was more like trying to run down the clock after leading... all to commit a fumble that ends up in the defense's hands. Carl Edwards' moment was more like trying to make a long pass play to make a touchdown... only to be intercepted in the late stages. Tony Stewart basically won this race fair and square. So congrats to Tony Stewart.

John's Debate! - Road Racing
1.) What is the best road course that any division of NASCAR (including none of the top three touring series) races?
2.) What road course would serve as the best possible road course for any of NASCAR's top three series to race?
3.) (a) Should the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to road racing? (b) Where would be a great road racing venue for the trucks?

1. I think Montreal is right now the best couse that NASCAR has raced on
2. I believe either Road Atlanta or Virginia International Raceway would be awesome.
3. I would really like to see the trucks race on a road course so yes definately.

 

[Earth]

Jaques Villeneuve one step closer to NASCAR

TRUCKS: Villeneuve to Test with Bill Davis

Former Formula 1, IndyCar and Indianapolis 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve, out of a full-time ride since being let go by BMW Sauber midseason last year, has been invited to test a Toyota truck for Bill Davis Racing.

JV never made a secret that a NASCAR ride was his main goal after leaving F1. His most recent top-level racing was as part of Peugeot’s diesel-powered 24 Hours of Le Mans effort, which was unable to beat the favored Audis.

"We have spent the last few months considering a number of NASCAR options and were in agreement that the truck offers the closest reference point to the Car of Tomorrow," Villeneuve stated.

Keep ahead of the trends in NASCAR each month in RACER. Ben Blake considers how Dale Earnhardt Jr. fits into the Hendrick Motorsports puzzle in our September issue, on sale now.

"Bill Davis Racing was aware of my interest in NASCAR and approached my management team with a view to allowing me to test within its truck program. I'm glad we were able to work that out, and having spent the day with the team for my seat fitting, I am really looking forward to working with Bill and his staff."

Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock added: "There's been a lot of speculation about when Jacques would arrive in NASCAR. Bill Davis' kind invitation coincided with our decision to start within Craftsman Truck, so the fit was both timely and natural."