All Purpose NASCAR Thread

[jay_christley]

...

 

[dixiehack]

The twin 125s won't be as competitive either, since 35 teams are assured berths, leaving 8 positions open. I wish they'd make an exception for Daytona and make everybody earn their spot.

 

[Johnsonville]

From the Shootout ...
NASCAR just told Kyle Busch to settle down.
Think they ever told Earnhardt that?

Did they say that over the air?

He is driving like a maniac. Almost has caused 4-5 wrecks.

 

[dixiehack]

Tony Stewart:

"Somebody else is going to die at Daytona the way we're racing. I don't want to be around when it happens."

 

[Moderator1]

Who beat?

 

[Moderator1]

Who won the race?

People who call in and ask about races generally say "who beat the race?"

 

[Moderator1]

Damn.
That is a huge story in the town where you (and others) have expressed a desire to work. He was the cover boy in their preview section today (although that story is not online for some reason).

 

[jimmyu]

why is the AP lede horrific? I like it.

 

[jimmyu]

so because you disagree with the use of the word ``shocked'' it makes the story horrific?

 

[Moderator1]

Nevermind, I found the stuff online.
The cover story was Jill Irwin. Other stuff was done by Mike Harris and Bob Lipper. Chris Thompson (a TD correspondent) also contributed.
That's not Mike Harris, who wrote for AP, is it? Wasn't there a Harris at AP?

(BTW, is it a bad thing when you start a thread ... and then contribute to more than half the posts in it?)

No, it isn't a bad thing.
It's Erwin.
A different Mike Harris, though they are old friends.   The other Harris remains at AP as far as I know.

 

[jimmyu]

I argue that is your opinion based on your knowledge of Hamlin.
But I ask any other readers of this thread if they were surprised, shocked, or any other startling reaction to Hamlin's win. I doubt many causual fans had even heard of Denny Hamlin before today.
Then, I will use this quote from Hamlin himself to support my theory.

"I did not in a million years expect to be here. I would have bet no money on myself to win this race," Hamlin said.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Mike Harris must be a popular name for sports journalists. I think there is a guy at the Tampa Tribune by that name as well.

 

[Moderator1]

There is indeed.

 

[Double J]

I argue that is your opinion based on your knowledge of Hamlin.
But I ask any other readers of this thread if they were surprised, shocked, or any other startling reaction to Hamlin's win. I doubt many causual fans had even heard of Denny Hamlin before today.
Then, I will use this quote from Hamlin himself to support my theory.

"I did not in a million years expect to be here. I would have bet no money on myself to win this race," Hamlin said.

That's eerily similar to a quote by Derrick Cope after he pulled off what is probably the biggest upset in
NASCAR history, winning the Daytona 500 in 1990 – Dale Earnhardt had dominated the race but blew a tire on the last lap.

"Not in my wildest dreams did I think we could come here and win this race," Cope said.

Not in anybody else's dreams either, Derrick. Apparently he was so unknown that the CBS affiliate closest to his hometown in Washington didn't even bother to broadcast the race.

 

[Double J]

Will Labonte still get into the race as a former series champion, or have they changed the rules regarding provisionals?

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

The twin 125s won't be as competitive either, since 35 teams are assured berths, leaving 8 positions open. I wish they'd make an exception for Daytona and make everybody earn their spot.

They're 150 miles now. And there are 23 teams gunning for those eight spots.

 

[Sxysprtswrtr]

It's gonna take a lot of getting used to seeing all the driver changes and car changes.
Feels like this year there are more changes than any in recent history. ...

McMurray in the 26?
Waltrip in the 55?
Sorenson in the Target car and not Mears.
Kurt in the 2 car?
And all the rookies ... crazy changes.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

It's gonna take a lot of getting used to seeing all the driver changes and car changes.
Feels like this year there are more changes than any in recent history. ...

McMurray in the 26?
Waltrip in the 55?
Sorenson in the Target car and not Mears.

And Mears with a new team, but at the same shop.

And all the rookies ... crazy changes.

For instance: A car with the number 11 on the side competitive for the first time since the first Clinton term.

News Flash: Jimmie Johnson's crew chief may be suspended for trying to sneak one past the NASCAR inspectors. http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/02/12/jjohnson.tlabonte.qualifying/index.html

 

[dixiehack]

The twin 125s won't be as competitive either, since 35 teams are assured berths, leaving 8 positions open. I wish they'd make an exception for Daytona and make everybody earn their spot.

They're 150 miles now. And there are 23 teams gunning for those eight spots.

12 of which might own a motor capable of propelling a Microbus uphill.

 

[Jeff Gluck]

This thread is a great idea (until some idiot comes in and ruins it -- but for now it's good).

Anyway, it's interesting how even in an AP story I saw the other day, Chad Knaus is labeled "the best crew chief in the sport," but he's constantly getting caught in things like this, it seems. Isn't this the third time? Jimmie Johnson and the 48 team are getting the cheaters label, and it might stick after this.