The Grapevine….

Hearing that Denny Hamlin will miss at least the next 4 races after a hard crash into the inside retaining wall at California’s Fontana Speedway. The speculation from insiders at JGR is that former Sprint Cup Series driver Elliot Sadler will take over driving duties for Deny Hamlin in Deny’s #11 Fed Ex Toyota.

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What do you think about……

the Kyle and Deny show ? I’m bias because I’m a KB fan, but I think most of you will agree, I don’t think Deny should have held up Kyle especially with that type of block. It’s a little different kind of block when you see a guy gaining on you and you purposely run his line to get in his way and the when he goes up or down to change lines you do the same. Deny’s block looked like he had his hands full and didn’t see Kyle coming and threw the block at the last second thus pinching Kyle against the wall which ultimately was the beginning of the end for Kyle. It’s one thing to block when you can compete against the car your blocking but when the car comes up on you and is a truly faster car whether your the leader or not you don’t hold the up the guy unless you see checkers. In my opinion Kyle truly had a better car, Deny had no business holding Kyle up. Deny in my opinion cost Kyle the win($1,000,000).

Again I bias I’m not a fan of Deny at all, and I am a Kyle Busch fan. But with that said I think my opinion is dead on. Just because I’m a fan of someone doesn’t mean I won’t throw them under the bus if needed. I call them as I see’em.

Otherwise a great All Star Race.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

The Right Call…..

At the end of this past weekends Sprint Cup with 1 lap to go #34 John Andretti wreck causing his car to end up against the inside wall at the start finish line when John tried to move the car he only moved about 8 feet towards the racing line and couldn’t move any further, so NASCAR to preserve competition during these Chase races didn’t throw the cautions until the winner Deny Hamlin crossed the finished line which at that time the majority of the drivers were just coming out of turn 4. Although John was a sitting duck out there he does agree with NASCAR’s call as does most of the other drivers. Really the only ones that are complaining are the ones that would have complained had NASCAR thrown the caution.

It’s my opinion NASCAR did make the right call, it’s really simple drivers have spotters to let them know what’s happening on the track ahead of them, NASCAR knew John wasn’t injured. These are Chase races there aren’t any do over, there isn’t  any “we’ll get’em next week” this is it. I’m not saying throw caution to the wind but for the sake of the Championship NASCAR must try and let the race be decided by the drivers. Had this been earlier in the race or a non-chase race then I believe NASCAR would have thrown the caution. I think NASCAR used common sense and good judgment, the biggest problem I see is in February when we get to Daytona the same situation will happen except this time NASCAR will throw the caution and people will be bringing up Martinsville not understanding that there is a huge difference between Race #1 and Race #31.

I’m the first one to cry foul when NASCAR gets it wrong but NASCAR got it right this time.

In Shock and Dis-appointment………

SHOCK !!……………

WOW, I can’t beleive Kyle went out like that. Does he have a chance ?? I really thought that if Kyle didn’t win the chase it would have been because he was driving to aggressive and crashed in a few chase races to get the DNF’s that knock him out of contention. I would have never guessed that equipment failures would be the cause. I would have bet money that equiptment won’t be the problem. He ran 26 races with very little or no equiptment failures then the first two chase races and it’s over, maybe. Is it karma, bad luck, or both.  Can he pull out of this, I haven’t check yet but is it mathematically possible for him to bounce back ?? I sure hope so, he and his team preformed better than any other driver/team for the first 26 races. I think they deserve it.

DIS-APPOINTMENT !!………

I am really dis-appointed in Red Bull decision to release A.J. Almendinger for Scott Speed. It’s going to be another 2 years now before the no.# 84 Toyota will be competitive. I believe its going to take Scott Speed the same season and a half it took A.J. to get comfortable, is Red Bull going to change again because they don’t understand they’re competing against team that have been around for 10 + years and it takes years to gain the respect and knowledge it takes just to be a weekly top 10 team. Drivers respected A.J. he was starting to come into his own veteran status. It looks like Ganassi is going to be the beneficary of Red Bull’s hard knocks. Red Bull made a mistake and I can’t believe Jay Frye was part of that decision, I know the big wheels in Austraila don’t have a clue but I really thought Jaye knew better.

The Chase for the Cup Contenders are Set

               2008 Chase Contenders

1) #18-Kyle Busch 5080 [8 wins x 10 bonus pts]
2) #99-Carl Edwards 5050 [6 wins, 5 wins x 10 pts = 50pts*]
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5040 [4 wins]
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 3-4ths]
5) #07-Clint Bowyer 5010 [1 win, 2nd, 3rd, 4th]
6) #11-Denny Hamlin 5010 [1 win, 7-3rds]
7) #31-Jeff Burton 5010 [1 win, 1-3rd]
8) #20-Tony Stewart 5000 [3-2nds]
9) #16-Greg Biffle 5000 [2-2nds]
10) #24-Jeff Gordon 5000 [1-2nd, 3-3rds]
11) #29-Kevin Harvick 5000 [1-2nd, 1-3rd]
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 5000 [2-3rds]

* lost the bonus for win at Las Vegas due to penalty
• To start the Chase, all 12 drivers have their point totals reset to 5,000.
• After the reset, Chase drivers get 10 bonus points for each victory thus far this season.
• Those new totals produce the Chase seedings.
• For drivers starting the Chase with identical point totals, their seedings are determined by the traditional tiebreaker of best finishes beyond race victories.
Courtesy Jayski’s

 

Who do you think will win the Championship ?? 

Post your Choice. Document it Now…. 

Carl’s Mistake……Kyle’s Motivation……

 

    The August night race at Bristol is one of my favorite races of the year. I’m not sure from a fan standpoint if the racing is better or worse since the new pavement. In the past it was a 1 and a half groove race track now its pretty much a 2 racing groove track, in the past to get around someone you had to move them out of the way and that was the cause of alot of fights now with the new pavement and 2 racing grooves you can race around them.

   So I was thinking as we near the end of the race “is this going to finish without somebody getting pissed off” just about the time I thought that with 30 laps to go Carl Edwards didn’t use the 2nd groove to get around race leader Kyle Busch he moved him out of the way just like the olds days(last year).

   In my opinion Carl made a huge mistake, it wasn’t when he moved Kyle out of the way it was on the cool down lap when Kyle came along side Carl and bumped him and Carl retaliated by spinning Kyle out. Don’t get me wrong I think Carl was right in his actions and I would have probably done the same thing it just wasn’t smart. The reason I think it was a huge mistake is Kyle is motivated when he’s been poked with a stick, when he’s poked he usually feels like he’s got something to prove and he usually does prove it. He runs best when he thinks he’s getting the raw end of the deal or when he’s mad.

   Just a couple races until the start of the Chase for the Cup and Carl lit the fuse hanging out of Kyles butt so now Kyle is going to show Carl that 2nd is just the first loser.

Yea Right !!!

A Statement From Joe Gibbs Owner of Joe Gibbs Racing

  First, we want to apologize to NASCAR, all of our partners, all of our families at JGR, and all of our fans for the unfortunate incident that took place this past weekend in Michigan with our two Nationwide teams. A poor decision was made by some key members of our organization, and 100 percent of the blame rests with us.

   “In 17 years we have never had any representative of Joe Gibbs Racing knowingly act outside of NASCAR’s rules, and that is something we consider essential to how we operate on a daily basis. What we have determined is that these individuals involved used extremely poor judgment in attempting to alter the results of NASCAR’s dyno test following Saturday’s Nationwide Series race in Michigan. Although in no way was anything done that might have altered the race outcome, these JGR employees attempted to circumvent the NASCAR rule book and that is unacceptable.

    “We take full responsibility and accept the penalties NASCAR has levied against us today. We had come to the conclusion that we would add to any NASCAR imposed penalties with the minimum being suspension for the remainder of the season for those involved, including our two Nationwide Series crew chiefs. There will also be an additional monetary fine beyond the amount announced by NASCAR earlier today, which will be the responsibility of those involved.

   “We are, however, disappointed that NASCAR chose to place our drivers on probation, as they had no knowledge or involvement of this incident.

   “On behalf of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, we apologize again for this most unfortunate situation.”(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(8-20-2008)

The Garage Area Comment:

I think we all expected better from Joe Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing but one of his first comments in his statement was a crock….Gibbs said “In 17 years we have never had any representative of Joe Gibbs Racing knowingly act outside of NASCAR’s rules” there is no way he can make that claim and be truthful. We know teams skirt the rules thats no secret so his comment just makes him look like a liar.    One of the last comments in his statement was…. “We are, however, disappointed that NASCAR chose to place our drivers on probation, as they had no knowledge or involvement of this incident.
It is my understanding that the NASCAR officials took control of the cars when the drivers exited them, so the drivers were the last JGR employees to have access to the gas pedals thats why they were part of the penalty, the six NASCAR officials that impounded the cars did in fact state the drivers were the last to have access to the cars. You don’t have to be a crime scene specialist to figure it out. Most drivers take the heat shields off their shoes before exiting the car, so while doing that you could easily slip a magnet under the pedal without creating suspicion, another blatant lie by Gibbs.
  The smartest thing Gibbs could have done is just say…We’re sorry, I’m sorry, we accept NASCAR’s penaltys we too will investigate and JGR will also penalize those involved. Again I apologize.  Thats it, don’t say anything more. Walk away.

The whole thing was really an ignorant move. Most owners, crew chiefs, and drivers will tell you when luck is on your side and your running as well as the Gibbs teams were you don’t cheat because your being watched, everybody in the garage area is watching you to find out what your doing and half the people in the garage area  think your cheating anyway when your racking up the wins the way Gibbs is. If you do get caught then you’ll really be scrutinized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busted and disgusted………..

 NASCAR officials found magnets placed under the gas pedals on cars out of the Joe Gibbs Racing stables prior to a Dyno test after this weekends race the Carfax 250. By placing a quarter inch thick magnet under the gas pedal it will limit the throttle/carburator from being opened 100% in turn causing lower overall horespower on a Dyno test. Both the #18 and the
#20 Nationwide teams  will be penalized for attempting to manipulate the throttle so NASCAR would not get a true horsepower reading when putting their cars on the chassis dynamometer after the race NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said Saturday night. Both the #18 and #20 teams face penalties for what was a blatant attempt to interfere with the inspection process, Hunter also said.

the garage area: So what do you think the penalty should Be ?? Me personally think it should be very harsh….

  It was Nationwide Series teams but they(nationwide and cup) come from under one umdrella Joe Gibbs Racing. Does that taint Kyle success this season, does this taint Tony Stewart titles and for that matter any of Bobby Labonte’s success. This cast a shadow on their success because you have to wonder how many times have they cheated ?? How many times have they manipulated testing info ?? You just don’t know but what we do know is they(employees of Joe Gibbs Racing) are capable of cheating.

 

Also
 
   Did you hear Deny Hamlins comments after Sundays race at Michigan International Raceway ?? He stated several times to a few different media outlets that he’s frustrated because Gibbs and Toyota are so far behind on their engine program. Is he on the same team as Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart ?? How can you say that when one of your teammates is leading the points and has won 8 races and the other teammate is 6th in the points. After Michigan all 3 Gibbs cars are in the top 12 that doesn’t look like a team thats behind in anything. He hasn’t stuck his foot that far in his mouth since a Natiomwide driver (Keslowski) raced him too hard so he made the comment that Nationwide driver should give cup drivers automatic respect.

  A good driver can take the car the crew gives him and with good communication can make adjustments compatible with conditions on raceday and finish the race a few spots better than the car was capable of. Most drivers can take the fastest, best handling car and get a good finish, but what car owners need and what makes a driver great is for a driver to be able use his talent take up the slack for the short comings of the car. Deny can’t do that yet, he does show spurts of talent when condition are perfect.

  Is Deny right are they behind in the engine program but cheating has made the others on the team successful and Deny just wasn’t included in on their rain deer games ??

Tell me what you think…….

Top and Bottom of Drivers Points Chart after the Glen

Sprint Cup Standings after Sunday Race at

Watkins Glen International Raceway

Driver Standings 1st thru 14th

UNOFFICAL Drivers Points Standings [after Watkins race 22 of 36]:
1) #18-Kyle Busch 3254 [8 wins]
2) #99-Carl Edwards 3012 -242 [4 wins]
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson 3010 -244 [2 wins]
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2985 -269 [1 win]
5) #31-Jeff Burton 2945 -309 [1 win]
6) #24-Jeff Gordon 2754 -500
7) #20-Tony Stewart 2744 -510
8) #9-Kasey Kahne 2713 -541 [+107 pts ahead of 13th]
9) #11-Denny Hamlin 2689 -565 [+87]
10) #16-Greg Biffle 2689 -565 [+83]
11) #29-Kevin Harvick 2670 -584 [+64]
12) #17-Matt Kenseth 2628 -626 [+22]
CHASE contenders
13) #07-Clint Bowyer 2606 -648 [1 win] [22 pts out of 12th]
14) #6-David Ragan 2539 -715 [-89]

Driver Standings 31st thru 38th

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Michigan:
#84-Allmendinger is in top 35 first time ever; #66-Riggs falls back out and down to 37th
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
31) #7-Gordon/RGM: 1770 +109
32) #22-Blaney/Bill Davis Racing: 1767, +106
33) #55-Waltrip/Waltrip Racing: 1682 +21
34) #77-Hornish/Penske Racing: 1674 +13
35) #84-Allmendinger/Red Bull Racing: 1669 8 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #00-McDowell/Waltrip Racing: 1661 8 points out of 35th
37) #66-Riggs/Haas CNC Racing: 1616 -53
38) #10-Carpentier/GEM: 1469 -200

Starting Line-up for the Centurion Boats at the Glen Sprint Cup Race

Qualifing for todays Sprint Cup Race “Centurion Boats at the Glen” at Watkins Glen International Raceway was Cancelled Due to Rain. The Starting Line-up was set by the NASCAR Rule Book, the starting order was determined by Owners Points and Race Attempts.

 

1	18	Kyle Busch	Toyota	1st in Owners Pts
2	88	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevy	2nd
3	99	Carl Edwards	Ford	3rd
4	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevy	4th
5	31	Jeff Burton	Chevy	5th
6	24	Jeff Gordon	Chevy	6th
7	9	Kasey Kahne	Dodge	7th
8	16	Greg Biffle	Ford	8th
9	20	Tony Stewart	Toyota	9th
10	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	10th
11	29	Kevin Harvick	Chevy	11th
12	07	Clint Bowyer	Chevy	12th
13	17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	13th
14	6	David Ragan	Ford	14th
15	8	Aric Almirola	Chevy	15th
16	12	Ryan Newman	Dodge	16th
17	83	Brian Vickers	Toyota	17th
18	1	Martin Truex Jr.	Chevy	18th
19	2	Kurt Busch	Dodge	19th
20	26	Jamie McMurray	Ford	20th
21	43	Bobby Labonte	Dodge	21st
22	19	Elliott Sadler	Dodge	22nd
23	28	Travis Kvapil	Ford	23rd
24	5	Casey Mears	Chevy	24th
25	42	Juan Pablo Montoya	Dodge	25th
26	38	David Gilliland	Ford	26th
27	15	Paul Menard	Chevy	27th
28	44	David Reutimann	Toyota	28th
29	22	Dave Blaney	Toyota	29th
30	41	Reed Sorenson	Dodge	30th
31	7	Robby Gordon	Dodge	31st
32	01	Ron Fellows	Chevy	32nd
33	55	Michael Waltrip	Toyota	33rd
34	77	Sam Hornish Jr. #	Dodge	34th
35	66	Scott Riggs	Chevy	35th
36	00	Michael McDowell #	Toyota	21 attempts, 36th owners pts
37	84	AJ Allmendinger	Toyota	21,37th
38	96	P.J. Jones	Toyota	21,38th
39	10	Patrick Carpentier #	Dodge	21,39th
40	45	Kyle Petty	Dodge	21,40th
41	78	Joe Nemechek	Chevy	21,41st
42	70	Max Papis	Chevy	21,42nd
43	21	Marcos Ambrose	Ford	21,43rd
DNQ	34	Brian Simo	Ford	19,45th
DNQ	60	Boris Said	Ford	3/50th

Courtesy Jayski.com