Running 2019 Nascar thread

Whoever wrote that used to work in newspapers I'm guessing....

 

Things aren't getting any better for this thread.
J.D. Gibbs passed away last night at age 49.

 

Terrible news about J.D. One of the nicest people in the industry. Gone way too soon.

Glen Wood of the Wood Brothers is now in hospice.

EDIT: Ganassi and Roush drop their Xfinity teams. At one time, those teams were so flush with cash, they had multiple drivers on "development" deals.

And media relations expert Mike Zizzo was let go by Texas Motor Speedway. The Mexican food buffet days were legendary.

 

Has there been any talk of tracks straight-up abandoning dates? With this TV deal probably not, but I’m talking down the road.

 

As far as I know, the tracks are still getting 65 percent of the TV money. So they basically don't have to sell a single ticket to make money. But all bets are off when the current deal expires or FOX/NBC ask to renegotiate because of ratings/ad revenue.

Some of the 50 or so NASCAR layoff victims were "lifers," from what I'm hearing. SpaceX is also pinkslipping 10 percent of its workforce in an effort to "get leaner." Lesson: If you're not related to the name on the letterhead, your continued employment is always in peril.

"Appreciate your lifelong commitment to making us rich. Enjoy the token severance and don't let the door hit you on your way out." -- Anyone not named France or Musk.

 

Ganassi dropped its Xfinity team because DC Solar and its owner Jeff Carpoff are having federal prosecution issues. Roush’s problems go back years and are best symbolized by former Roush capo Geoff Smith telling the press in 2006 or so that he was more interested in drivers who represent sponsors well and relate to VIPs well rather than drivers who win races. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Was it ever announced what JD Gibbs had? It wasn't from an injury right?

 

The story I read this morning just said some kind of degenerative disease.

 

If it was ALS, I'm glad his misery is over. Worst thing on this or any other planet.

 

Some kind of degenerative brain syndrome, intimated to date to his football days.