Running 2018 NASCAR thread

Maybe Kahne is tired of not winning? He's one once in 4 years.
I liked him. Tough for him to be the No. 3 and 4 driver in the Hendrick stable.
Seemed like he only ran well at the Coke 600 in Charlotte..

 

Net worth of $50 mil? Yeah. Now I also understand why Carl Edwards walked away as well. Surprised Edwards kind of dropped off the face of the earth.

 

That six-win season for Ray Evernham when it seemed like Kahne had broken through and was going to be a huge star for the next decade … was all the way back in 2006. I can’t understand how everything went that wrong for him afterward.

 

I thought Edwards would go into TV. Really surprised that he pulled a Ricky Rudd.

 

I would have thought Fox would have used him, maybe grease the skids for Waltrip.

 

More interesting: Kahne not only turned down a 2-year deal from his current team, he turned down an opportunity to talk to Tony Stewart about the 41 car.

Kasey Kahne declined chance to discuss ride at Stewart-Haas Racing

 

If you're over 35 and used to making 7-10m a year, making $3 mil for the same risk seems kind of stupid.

 

Harry Gant was a rookie at 39.

Dick Trickle was rookie of the year at 48.

 

With all of the new sports ventures out there - two football leagues, 3 on 3 basketball, and I figure I'm forgetting a few - a driving circuit for former NASCAR drivers that is less risky and more evenly matched would probably do well. Something between IMSA and truck racing.
If I was Ford or Chevy I'd line it up and have all the drivers in the same cars - like an IROC race. Maybe double up and race the same courses as the IRL.

 

Ah, yes … you mean TRAC.

 

So if these early retirements continue, how long before NASCAR seriously considers shortening the season? Cutting six races and wrapping it up on Halloween weekend would be a welcome move for a lot of folks, I think.