293 replies to this topic

[ragecage]

cross-post: Mike Greenwell to debut in Truck Series

[ragecage]

Pocono this weekend. Looks like Stewart will try to race the whole race. Pocono can be exciting sometimes, or pretty boring. I'll hope for exciting

[Goosewptc]

Considering how banged up Tony was, finishing third must have almost felt like a win.

Jeff Gordon better be thankful the safer barrier was in place....that wuz a hawrd lick.

On to Michigan, one of my favorite tracks. Gonna go out on a limb and call Carl Edwards the winner of this one.

[ragecage]

Qualifying at 3pm. Yay, a fuel mileage race!

[ragecage]

Sonoma starting grid

Seems like the course was really hot and slick, making it tough for a lot of the early qualifiers. Should be a good race.

[Spacemans Bong]

It has been extremely hot the last few days, meaning it will absolutely suck to drive a car at Sonoma.

[ragecage]

It has been extremely hot the last few days, meaning it will absolutely suck to drive a car at Sonoma.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

look for some of the old dirt track drivers to excel in these slippery conditions. could also mean more passing, which is a plus.

[ragecage]

sigh. My boy Stewart has had a string of bad luck. He was making a great run until he dropped a cylinder there towards the end. The Daytona race under the lights has been really exciting the past few years, and I hope this one is the same.

was also the first time for this:

[Grunherz54]

I do love those superspeedways. Never get enough of Daytona or Talladega.

I'd Like to see Stewart, Hamlin, Truex Jr, and Dale Jr work together because you know the Gordo/J-Lowes crew will.

Edited by Grunherz54, 29 June 2006 - 06:53 PM.

[Grunherz54]

Just a tremendous win by Tony Stewart. Under ten laps to go and he restarts ninth or tenth but manages to fight his way to the front for the checkered flag.

Dale Jr. finishes at 13. Had the lead for a while but faded. Now #3 in points for the cup chase - a welcome change from 2005.

Nice race by Boris Said.

Edited by Grunherz54, 01 July 2006 - 10:12 PM.

[ragecage]

That's what I'm talking about. Tony's ability to find holes and get to the front during plates races amazes me. This result was needed by the team after the past few weeks.

I felt bad for Labonte after running so well, but I'll take JJ finishing in the back. Great stuff!

:g060: :g060:

[Grunherz54]

Updated Standings:


1. Jimmie Johnson 2501
2. Matt Kenseth 2488
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2234
4. Kasey Kahne 2209
5. Tony Stewart 2202
6. Mark Martin 2177
7. Jeff Burton 2152
8. Kyle Busch 2095
9. Kevin Harvick 2088
10. Denny Hamlin 2048

[ragecage]

I know one person that is happy that they head to Chicago this weekend: Kevin Harvick. The point are real close at the top of the board, so we could see a new point leader by the end of the weekend.

[ragecage]

by the way, is any else going to Loudon?

[Grunherz54]

Race Lineup For USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Jeff Burton on the pole followed by Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne.

Dale Jr at 25 and Smoke at 34.

Edited by Grunherz54, 07 July 2006 - 07:54 PM.

[Grunherz54]

Updated Chase for the Nextel Cup Standings.

Junior still at #3. Stewart drops to #7. Gordon bumps his way into #10 with his win today.

Edited by Grunherz54, 09 July 2006 - 11:03 PM.

[Lanternjaw]

by the way, is any else going to Loudon?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm going to try to go to the September race in Loudon again this year... what a great time we had at that one last season.

[bakahump]

I hit loudon 97-2002 (right during the Burton domination!!) Both Summer and Fall.

Great time every time. Only reason I stopped was due to a change in work sched to Sun-thurs.



My recomendations:
Camp
Arrive Thurs night or Friday morning.
Hit Practice, Qual and the BN races on sat.
Stay away from camping on Animal hill. (Its not the wildest place I have ever been but I look at it as like living in Hells Kitchen. You might want to visit...which inevitably I did every time as its pretty much an all night party...but its nice to leave and go to a realitvly "quiet" camp to pass out and not worry about the grill being stolen.)
Leave Monday morning.
Bring a wagon to carry the coolers to track on sunday and to (especially) carry them back after the race. Bring lock to lock Wagon to fence during race.
GET A SCANNER (either rent or buy) they add so much to the race its not even believable.
Ive sat High in turn 4, High on the front, Medium on the front just past the S/f line and my favorites are on turn one.
Try getting tickets on turn one looking down the front stretch. Reason being is that slung underneath on the back side of the stands about half way up in this area is bathrooms and vendors. If you sit up high you can hit the BR and concessions in a few mins. If you have tix high on the front stretch grandstands or on turns 3-4 then you have to go all the way to the bottom to ground level and then under the stands. After of course you then have walk back up 30 or so flights of stairs. After beer 14 this sucks. Plus it about 15 mins of racing you miss each time. Additionally others may argue but I do not feel that the view is all that much better from anywhere else and the "less stairs perk" is very underated.

As I said leave on monday morning. Crack open a beer and watch all the poor SOBs leaving (plus avoid the 20,000 drunks leaving.) A thurs night -monday stay really only means 2 vacation or sick days. Its well worth it.

I keep thinking that I want to get back on the list for tix (like a dumbass I gave mine up for 03 because of a layoff). But with a Baby Wife House payment and the above mentioned work sched I just cant do it now.

My .02

Anyone know what the wait list looks like for Loudon? Someday..

[ragecage]

I'm going to try to go to the September race in Loudon again this year... what a great time we had at that one last season.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let me know if you make it. We always do a big cookout, etc--a great time.

Baka, I know that when I received my tix, there was a note that said that there was a small amount of tix left for the Cup race. Haven't seen that in years. May be worth a call to the box office just to check.

[CaptainLaddie]

Just saw something on ESPN about Danica switching to NASCAR. One driver said something along the lines of "At the right time of the month she might really be trading some paint with other drivers..."

OUCH!

[ragecage]

yeah, I saw that. Probably won't go over well! She can say what she wants, but I think Danica is in NASCAR sooner rather than later. With all the press and attention it would receive, someone will make her a huge offer.

[Grunherz54]

Just saw something on ESPN about Danica switching to NASCAR.  One driver said something along the lines of "At the right time of the month she might really be trading some paint with other drivers..."

OUCH!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Too bad Hendrick already has a full complement of drivers.

Edited by Grunherz54, 13 July 2006 - 01:30 PM.

[Spacemans Bong]

Danica would get killed in NASCAR. Killed.

I'm an open wheel/road racing guy at heart, but I'm smart enough to know that the best drivers in America are in NASCAR, and she's off the pace in the IRL with a weight advantage. Combine that with the GOB environment and the usual asskicking rooks get and she'd be a sideshow, nothing more.

The real story, in my eyes, is how Montoya does for Ganassi. Montoya dominated CART, but he was really not a success in F1. However, his let-it-all-hang-out style could be perfect for NASCAR. McLaren cut him from his contract as soon as he quit, so Ganassi would be an idiot not to cobble together a car for him at Watkins Glen. The guy won at freakin' Monaco, the Glen would be a breeze for him.

[ragecage]

Danica would get killed in NASCAR. Killed.

I'm an open wheel/road racing guy at heart, but I'm smart enough to know that the best drivers in America are in NASCAR, and she's off the pace in the IRL with a weight advantage. Combine that with the GOB environment and the usual asskicking rooks get and she'd be a sideshow, nothing more.

I think it would be a real tough learning curve for her, but all THE teams are so sponser hungry that I would expect someone to throw a lot of money at her.

The real story, in my eyes, is how Montoya does for Ganassi. Montoya dominated CART, but he was really not a success in F1. However, his let-it-all-hang-out style could be perfect for NASCAR. McLaren cut him from his contract as soon as he quit, so Ganassi would be an idiot not to cobble together a car for him at Watkins Glen. The guy won at freakin' Monaco, the Glen would be a breeze for him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm really curious about this as well. Again though, I don't think it's as simple as putting in a good ride and letting him win on a road course. He would be coming from a league with some of the highest level of in car technology in the world, to one with the least. That and the weight of the cars. I believe F1 cars are more than half as light as Cup cars (I think). One of the big things that I hear drivers say is that it just takes a while to get used to throwing that type of weight around in a car. Hell, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon (arguably two of the drivers with the most raw skill) tore up a ton of race cars before they got the hang for it. Should be real fun to watch though.

[Spacemans Bong]

I think it would be a real tough learning curve for her, but all THE teams are so sponser hungry that I would expect someone to throw a lot of money at her. 

I'm really curious about this as well.  Again though, I don't think it's as simple as putting in a good ride and letting him win on a road course.  He would be coming from a league with some of the highest level of in car technology in the world, to one with the least.  That and the weight of the cars.  I believe F1 cars are more than half as light as Cup cars (I think).  One of the big things that I hear drivers say is that it just takes a while to get used to throwing that type of weight around in a car.  Hell, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon (arguably two of the drivers with the most raw skill) tore up a ton of race cars before they got the hang for it.  Should be real fun to watch though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Danica: Oh, I agree someone will do it. But it will be a sideshow. I doubt her skills (she's never won at race at any level since she left karts), and I think Danicamania will pass once she's getting lapped by the big boys, if it hasn't passed already.

Montoya will obviously have a learning curve, but I think at his peak he is as skillful as Gordon or Stewart. He will need to learn on ovals, but I think the weight factor of stock cars will be mitigated by the nervy twitching of F1 cars. The Glen's got nuttin' on Monaco.

(I am still shocked he actually won there, the guy crashed so often in an F1 car that it looked like a dead certainity he'd crash in Monaco - instead he won!)

[Grunherz54]

Starting Grid for the Lenox Industrial Tools 300.

Ryan Newman #1, Stewart #5, and Junior #25.

Seven of the top ten are driving Chevrolet.

Edited by Grunherz54, 15 July 2006 - 02:11 PM.

[ragecage]

damn it's early. I'm on my way out to head up to Loudon. Go Stewart, hope it's a good day (it's gonna be damn hot).

[bakahump]

I say Jeff Burton and his reusrgent I am unoriginal and unfunny. Please put me out of my misery takes the day. "The Widow Maker" will be OWNED by Burton today.

Maybe he will lead every lap....just for old times sake.

Rage cage, Dude you need to go up and CAMP. Screw getting up at 5 to drive up.

We can expect an update from Rager at about 12:40am

[ragecage]

ugh. first off, it was HOT up there in the sun all day today. I'm exhausted and dehydrated, and after seeing Stewart storm to the lead, what a disappointing way to end. I listened on the scanner, and when Newman and Stewart got into the stupid wreck, Stewart started screaming "Why didn't you tell me he had new tires!" He then called someone (his spotter) a "non-driving c*cksucker," which would have been entertaining if it wasn't so disappointing. Man, I'm beat.

[bakahump]

11:30pm update. Not bad. You must have left before the Green White Checker finish LOL.

Anyone else think its stupid how much Hype Nascar gives to the GWC finishes?

"NASCAR is going to impliment the GWC finish to INSURE the fans get a show!!"

Wow. Great. You dont a race to end during what amounts to a time out. Great idea guys. (Dont get me wrong I think the GWC is a great thing....I just find it stupid how much self masturbating Nascar <in the form of thier announcers> give themselves for doing what common sense dictates.)

Hell why count caution laps at all?

[ragecage]

11:30pm update.  Not bad.  You must have left before the Green White Checker finish  LOL.

Anyone else think its stupid how much Hype Nascar gives to the GWC finishes?

"NASCAR is going to impliment the GWC finish to INSURE the fans get a show!!"

Wow. Great. You dont a race to end during what amounts to a time out.  Great idea guys. (Dont get me wrong I think the GWC is a great thing....I just find it stupid how much self masturbating Nascar <in the form of thier announcers> give themselves for doing what common sense dictates.)

Hell why count caution laps at all?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeah, we go all backroads and try to avoid as much traffic as possible. Hell, 11:30 was after watching the whole race, BBQing the the parking lot for a few hours, playing a game of wiffle ball, and THEN leaving

You're right about the whole camping out thing. We always talk about it, but never end up doing it. I agree re: the GWC, it just makes sense.

and re: the Chase. Now I am officially worried. Stewart is out of the f'ing Top 10, so some random crash or blown tire can be devastating at this point. Ugh.

[Grunherz54]

Updated Standings.

Junior and Smoke each drop four places.

[ragecage]

These next 7 races are going to be pretty tense. No mistakes....

1st practice speeds

[ragecage]

So some people really, really don't like being given the finger apparently

I have to say, it was stupid of Stewart to get into it with the 07 and get black flagged. That could have meant his season right there, however, after getting spun out by the 99, and then coming back to get a top 10, they really really helped themselves.

Pretty cool to see Denny Hamlin sweep both poles and races at Pocono. Off-week this week and then the Brickyard, one of the biggest races of the year.

[The Napkin]

I tore up this week in the fantasy thing.
*Busch (2) and Stewart (7) were my A
*Harvick (5) *Hamlin (1) Burton (9) Gordon (13) were my B


If I only I hadn't forgotten to change things for 3 or 4 of the races.

[ragecage]

Remember this?



If Bowyer and Edwards don't wreck him, I'd like to see it happen again.

Should be a great race; one of the biggest of the year.

[ragecage]

Gordo is f'ed. Looks like there will be a lot of tire issues today.

I can't believe Jimmie Johnson is leading this race. Shoot me please.

Edited by ragecage, 06 August 2006 - 04:12 PM.

[ragecage]

Things are starting to heat up as we wind down to setting the Chase field. Last weekend's race was great. Kasey Kahne sat on the Pole (and that is in no way a comment on his lifestyle [/rickybobby], and won last time... hopefully not again.

[Grunherz54]

Starting Grid for the GFS Marketplace 400 at the Michigan International Speedway.

Jeff Burton on the pole.

Junior at #17, Stewart at #33.

[bakahump]

YEA BABY!

[ragecage]

I gotta say, I never expected this run by Burton. Really Harvick too. RCR has REALLY been on their game.

[Grunherz54]

Matt Kenseth wins at Michigan.

Gordon second and Stewart third.

A strong showing by Junior and he finishes sixth.

[ragecage]

pretty good race today. It's nice to be back in the Top 5, though everything is really tight. Jr. looked strong. Can't say I minded seeing JJ struggle.

[Grunherz54]

Updated Nextel Cup Standings.

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Ken Harvick
4. Mark Martin
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Kyle Busch
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Jeff Burton
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

On the outside looking in: Kahne, Kurt Busch, Biffle, Edwards.

[Grunherz54]

Carl Edwards Fined for Hitting Junior's Car.

$20,000 plus probation for the remainder of the 2006 season. No points.

Edited by Grunherz54, 22 August 2006 - 08:01 PM.

[Grunherz54]

Starting Grid for Sharpie 500 under the lights @ Bristol.

1. Kurt Busch
2. Jeff Burton
3. Bobby Labonte
5. Tony Stewart
39. Dale, Jr.

Edited by Grunherz54, 25 August 2006 - 11:16 PM.

[Grunherz54]

Updated Nextel Cup Standings.

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Ken Harvick
4. Kyle Busch
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Jeff Burton
8. Tony Stewart
9. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
10. Mark Martin

11. Kasey Kahne -90

[ragecage]

SO...

It's a long story that I will tell later, but I just got back from what may have been the greatest weekend of my life: a surprise bachelor party to Bristol, TN for the entire weekend. Holy shit.

my head is still spinning. I feel like this guy:

[Grunherz54]

Starting Grid for Sony HD 500 @ California Speedway.

1. Kurt Busch
2. Brian Vickers
3. Clint Bowyer

6. Dale, Jr.
9. Kasey Kahne
22. Tony Stewart

[Grunherz54]

Updated Nextel Cup Standings 3 September 2006.

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Ken Harvick
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Kyle Busch
6. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Tony Stewart
9. Mark Martin
10. Jeff Burton

11. Kasey Kahne - 30

Tremendous performance by Kahne in a pressure situation. I was also happy to see Dale, Jr. do so well at California - not one of his favorite tracks.

Napkin - I'm really enjoying our battle in the Hammer of Doom. 'One More Mark' and 'The Ricky Craven Experience' are in the thick of it as well. Wouldn't surprise me if it comes down to the last race or two