Comments on: Where They’ve Been and Where They’re Going: Part 3 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/ A blog by insiders for outsiders Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:17:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bobby http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4430 Bobby Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:15:11 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4430 I'm confused how Casey Mears keeps getting rides with top tier teams. He has done absolutely nothing worthwhile with any team he's been with. Is it just his name that keeps the job offers coming in? As for Harvick I wish he would just go away. I have hated him since his first cup race. I admit at first it's because he was in the Goodwrench car, but his attitude quickly made me see my first instinct was correct. He is a whiny little bi@%h and always will be. Bowyer is truly getting a raw deal here. I look for him to leave RCR at the first chance just to save some respect. To lose his ride to Casey Mears must have been infuriating, especially after making the chase for the last 2 years. I know what Richard's plan is but to think that Mears will step into that ride and make the chase is about as likely as me landing a date with Heidi Klum. Jeff Burton is a great driver and a great man. I feel he got a raw deal at Roush racing. No sponsorship money was just an excuse to get Carl Edwards into the car. Who would have thought at the time it was the best career move he could have made. Lets not forget Dale Sr. wanted Jeff Burton to take over the Goodwrench car upon his retirement, sadly that plan was cut short. Theres nothing I'd like better than to see Jeff Burton and Mark Martin running toe to toe for the cup this year. With Mark coming back full time my interest in Nascar will be renewed on the 09 season. I’m confused how Casey Mears keeps getting rides with top tier teams. He has done absolutely nothing worthwhile with any team he’s been with. Is it just his name that keeps the job offers coming in?

As for Harvick I wish he would just go away. I have hated him since his first cup race. I admit at first it’s because he was in the Goodwrench car, but his attitude quickly made me see my first instinct was correct. He is a whiny little bi@%h and always will be.

Bowyer is truly getting a raw deal here. I look for him to leave RCR at the first chance just to save some respect. To lose his ride to Casey Mears must have been infuriating, especially after making the chase for the last 2 years. I know what Richard’s plan is but to think that Mears will step into that ride and make the chase is about as likely as me landing a date with Heidi Klum.

Jeff Burton is a great driver and a great man. I feel he got a raw deal at Roush racing. No sponsorship money was just an excuse to get Carl Edwards into the car. Who would have thought at the time it was the best career move he could have made. Lets not forget Dale Sr. wanted Jeff Burton to take over the Goodwrench car upon his retirement, sadly that plan was cut short.

Theres nothing I’d like better than to see Jeff Burton and Mark Martin running toe to toe for the cup this year. With Mark coming back full time my interest in Nascar will be renewed on the 09 season.

]]> By: Neon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4426 Neon Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:00:07 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4426 Karah-Leigh. I like your style and you actually support my theory w/ your comments on Tony's future as an owner/driver. Here's why: Tony came into NASCAR from the IRL for two reasons. Money and a chance to race week in and week out against the likes of Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt. Had Jeff Gordon gone to Indy cars or F1, rest assured Tony would not have taken a second look at NASCAR and persued that route as well. At the time, Indy cars (CART) had split into CART and Tony George's IRL. Tony's dream of winning INDY rested soley on the IRL and their oval only series where the early seasons consisted of sparse schedules, mostly unknown drivers, outdated back-up cars and novice-level teams. Pay-out was not great and Tony wanted to compete against some talent each week and make a very good living doing it. Tony made what he's made by driving well and often. Put him in a Sprint, Grand Am or formula car for the same amount of money (as long as there is sustainable competition and schedule) and adios to Cup. Problem is, Cup is the only place for Tony to really make BIG money driving. You've probably heard the question: How do you make a small fortune in racing....start with a large fortune! I see that on the horizon for Stewart. Hope he proves me wrong. About Hendrick? It doesn't hurt to have a Presidential Pardon from Slick Willy Clinton. I have seen a lot of silly seasons in racing, but this year seems sillier (Hmmm?) than ever! Karah-Leigh. I like your style and you actually support my theory w/ your comments on Tony’s future as an owner/driver. Here’s why: Tony came into NASCAR from the IRL for two reasons. Money and a chance to race week in and week out against the likes of Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt. Had Jeff Gordon gone to Indy cars or F1, rest assured Tony would not have taken a second look at NASCAR and persued that route as well. At the time, Indy cars (CART) had split into CART and Tony George’s IRL. Tony’s dream of winning INDY rested soley on the IRL and their oval only series where the early seasons consisted of sparse schedules, mostly unknown drivers, outdated back-up cars and novice-level teams. Pay-out was not great and Tony wanted to compete against some talent each week and make a very good living doing it. Tony made what he’s made by driving well and often. Put him in a Sprint, Grand Am or formula car for the same amount of money (as long as there is sustainable competition and schedule) and adios to Cup. Problem is, Cup is the only place for Tony to really make BIG money driving.
You’ve probably heard the question: How do you make a small fortune in racing….start with a large fortune! I see that on the horizon for Stewart. Hope he proves me wrong.
About Hendrick? It doesn’t hurt to have a Presidential Pardon from Slick Willy Clinton.
I have seen a lot of silly seasons in racing, but this year seems sillier (Hmmm?) than ever!

]]> By: Karah-Leigh http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4425 Karah-Leigh Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:19:52 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4425 Neon... If Tony was still in it for the money, I don't think he would have taken the Haas deal and he would have stayed with Joe Gibbs Racing. He's passionate about racing period and yes, NASCAR may not be where his heart is, if he didn't find something thrilling about it, enough so to help rebuild a team with part ownership, he wouldn't be doing it. What Gene Haas did has NOTHING to do with Tony Stewart the man or racer. That was before Tony was ever involved with Haas Racing. While I could give a rat's patootie about Gene Haas, he is not the only owner in NASCAR to be arrested or convicted of fraud. Does Rick Hendrick ring a bell? Ding Ding. As for my feeling about Tony's new team... I knew he would leave Gibbs when they announced they were going to Toyota's. I remember being in class that day, rushed back to the newspaper office to watch it on television and I just knew so I've been expecting it for a while. It didn't come to a shock for me. I think they might win a race or two next year, but I'm not counting on a championship right out of the box. I think Tony's going in the right direction with the crews, especially with keeping Matt Borland (hello Ryan Newman?!?) and bringing Darian Grubb. I question the Tony Gibson move but who am I to judge? Neon… If Tony was still in it for the money, I don’t think he would have taken the Haas deal and he would have stayed with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s passionate about racing period and yes, NASCAR may not be where his heart is, if he didn’t find something thrilling about it, enough so to help rebuild a team with part ownership, he wouldn’t be doing it.

What Gene Haas did has NOTHING to do with Tony Stewart the man or racer. That was before Tony was ever involved with Haas Racing. While I could give a rat’s patootie about Gene Haas, he is not the only owner in NASCAR to be arrested or convicted of fraud.

Does Rick Hendrick ring a bell? Ding Ding.

As for my feeling about Tony’s new team… I knew he would leave Gibbs when they announced they were going to Toyota’s. I remember being in class that day, rushed back to the newspaper office to watch it on television and I just knew so I’ve been expecting it for a while. It didn’t come to a shock for me.

I think they might win a race or two next year, but I’m not counting on a championship right out of the box. I think Tony’s going in the right direction with the crews, especially with keeping Matt Borland (hello Ryan Newman?!?) and bringing Darian Grubb. I question the Tony Gibson move but who am I to judge?

]]> By: Neon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4419 Neon Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:10:44 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4419 Amy-Glad you asked about Stewart as a team owner. Ross has already answered for me. Like AJ Foyt, Tony will drive personnel away when the going gets tough. Tony's NASCAR career has been successful in spite of Tony. Joe Gibbs has shielded Tony to date through his grace. Now don't get me wrong here. Tony is one of the top 3-5 drivers in Cup and I would hire him in a New York minute to drive, and only drive. That,,,,,he is good at. Owner some sprint car teams, in a lotttt different than a multi-car cup army. You think Tony has had issues w/ NASCAR from a driver's perspective? Wait until he ads on an owner's consideration. Tony said early on that he is in NASCAR for the money and that never really changed. He really enjoys sprints, Grand Am and open wheelers. Amy-Glad you asked about Stewart as a team owner. Ross has already answered for me. Like AJ Foyt, Tony will drive personnel away when the going gets tough. Tony’s NASCAR career has been successful in spite of Tony. Joe Gibbs has shielded Tony to date through his grace. Now don’t get me wrong here. Tony is one of the top 3-5 drivers in Cup and I would hire him in a New York minute to drive, and only drive. That,,,,,he is good at. Owner some sprint car teams, in a lotttt different than a multi-car cup army. You think Tony has had issues w/ NASCAR from a driver’s perspective? Wait until he ads on an owner’s consideration.
Tony said early on that he is in NASCAR for the money and that never really changed. He really enjoys sprints, Grand Am and open wheelers.

]]> By: windowlicker http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4418 windowlicker Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:19:23 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4418 Amy, Why didn't they just swap #'s & sponsors since Betty Crocker didn't want Mears driving for them. I think that Clint is the way better choice for the #33. It will finish better in the standings than if Mears was driving it in the same situation. It just seems that Clint got the short end of this whole deal & Casey is getting all Clint's "stuff." Too bad Bobby Labonte wasn't available earlier. Him in the #33 would have been the perfect scenario. If Bobby was there, RCR would be looking mighty tough for 2009. Amy,

Why didn’t they just swap #’s & sponsors since Betty Crocker didn’t want Mears driving for them. I think that Clint is the way better choice for the #33. It will finish better in the standings than if Mears was driving it in the same situation. It just seems that Clint got the short end of this whole deal & Casey is getting all Clint’s “stuff.”

Too bad Bobby Labonte wasn’t available earlier. Him in the #33 would have been the perfect scenario. If Bobby was there, RCR would be looking mighty tough for 2009.

]]> By: Ross http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4417 Ross Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:06:24 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4417 There's no way that Childress would cut off his nose to spite his face. If he wants Bowyer gone, he'll be gone. He's not going to waste money messing around so that Bowyer quits. Childress is a savvy businessman (although the Mears pick belies that a bit eh?) Bowyer will struggle a litte but he seems to be the kind of driver who can overcome adversity. Don't worry, Licker: He'll qualify just fine, especially with the scrubs who will be showing up next year. As for Stewart, he's toast. He's an excellent driver but he's just too volatile to be a good manager. There’s no way that Childress would cut off his nose to spite his face. If he wants Bowyer gone, he’ll be gone. He’s not going to waste money messing around so that Bowyer quits. Childress is a savvy businessman (although the Mears pick belies that a bit eh?)

Bowyer will struggle a litte but he seems to be the kind of driver who can overcome adversity. Don’t worry, Licker: He’ll qualify just fine, especially with the scrubs who will be showing up next year.

As for Stewart, he’s toast. He’s an excellent driver but he’s just too volatile to be a good manager.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4416 Amy Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:48:12 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4416 I also do not understand WHY Bowyer is moving to the 33. I just don't understand the reasoning. I also do not understand WHY Bowyer is moving to the 33. I just don’t understand the reasoning.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4415 Amy Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:47:12 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4415 NEON:I am just curious WHY you think Stewart will struggle as a car owner? Just curious. NEON:I am just curious WHY you think Stewart will struggle as a car owner? Just curious.

]]> By: windowlicker http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4413 windowlicker Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:52:38 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4413 I think RCR will be pretty tough this year & am picking Harvick or Burton to win the championship. I'm glad to see your optimism for the #33 team T.C. but I have a horrible feeling about that whole deal. From what I've read, Clint's going to be racing in the cup series with an entire Busch league crew, not to mention the threat of not qualifying during the first five races. I think this season will be a make or break season for Clint. Either he will show that he truly is a kick ass driver & he can overcome the adversity of taking the step back of going to RCR's R&D ride or he will flounder due to the circumstances of going to a new team or not gelling with the c.c. & show the world that his success was a product of the equipment he drove. Shane Wilson may have had a lot of success as a c.c. in the Busch series, but that's just it, he's a Busch series c.c. & there's a reason he still was up to this point. RC's decision to yank Clint from the #07 with no points or crew going with him from the team either shows Childress' complete, 100%, I've got your back, confidence & trust in Clint that is up to the challenge or there's trouble between Clint & RCR & this might be the catalyst that leads them to part ways. As far as Stewart Haas, I think Tony ended his career in NASCAR. I've been hearing about all this support Hendrick gives to Haas for a while now, but come on, where does all this "support" show in the weekly results. The only thing Haas had going for it was Bootie Barker & he's now gone. Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon as drivers for this organization couldn't get them into the top 20 in the standings. I think RCR will be pretty tough this year & am picking Harvick or Burton to win the championship.

I’m glad to see your optimism for the #33 team T.C. but I have a horrible feeling about that whole deal. From what I’ve read, Clint’s going to be racing in the cup series with an entire Busch league crew, not to mention the threat of not qualifying during the first five races. I think this season will be a make or break season for Clint. Either he will show that he truly is a kick ass driver & he can overcome the adversity of taking the step back of going to RCR’s R&D ride or he will flounder due to the circumstances of going to a new team or not gelling with the c.c. & show the world that his success was a product of the equipment he drove.

Shane Wilson may have had a lot of success as a c.c. in the Busch series, but that’s just it, he’s a Busch series c.c. & there’s a reason he still was up to this point.

RC’s decision to yank Clint from the #07 with no points or crew going with him from the team either shows Childress’ complete, 100%, I’ve got your back, confidence & trust in Clint that is up to the challenge or there’s trouble between Clint & RCR & this might be the catalyst that leads them to part ways.

As far as Stewart Haas, I think Tony ended his career in NASCAR. I’ve been hearing about all this support Hendrick gives to Haas for a while now, but come on, where does all this “support” show in the weekly results. The only thing Haas had going for it was Bootie Barker & he’s now gone. Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon as drivers for this organization couldn’t get them into the top 20 in the standings.

]]> By: Neon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2008/12/18/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-4410 Neon Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:52:31 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=712#comment-4410 Sign of the times? I received a bunch of brand new "2009" Fastenal calenders at my office today. Pretty cool stuff w/ each page displaying colorful action photos of the beautiful Blue and white Fastenal sponsored car. Only problem is, the cars are all #40, the cars are all Dodge Chargers and the drivers are either Dario Franchitti and Bryan Clausen. Oh yea, there all Ganassi-Sabates racing. What's wrong w/ this picture for 2009??? I did learn one interesing tidbit from the calender though. Former President Jimmy Carter once worked as ticket taker at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AIR in those days). Sign of the times? I received a bunch of brand new “2009″ Fastenal calenders at my office today. Pretty cool stuff w/ each page displaying colorful action photos of the beautiful Blue and white Fastenal sponsored car. Only problem is, the cars are all #40, the cars are all Dodge Chargers and the drivers are either Dario Franchitti and Bryan Clausen. Oh yea, there all Ganassi-Sabates racing. What’s wrong w/ this picture for 2009???
I did learn one interesing tidbit from the calender though. Former President Jimmy Carter once worked as ticket taker at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AIR in those days).

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