Comments on: Where They’ve Been and Where They’re Going: Part 7 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/ A blog by insiders for outsiders Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:03:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ross http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5149 Ross Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:51:14 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5149 I don't see how anyone could argue that MWR is suffering financial difficulties. Every team is. Add to that the low attendance of Race World USA --I don't think it's become the tourist attraction they thought it would. While it's pretty impressive, people just don't want to pay $15 a pop to see the place. I don’t see how anyone could argue that MWR is suffering financial difficulties. Every team is. Add to that the low attendance of Race World USA –I don’t think it’s become the tourist attraction they thought it would. While it’s pretty impressive, people just don’t want to pay $15 a pop to see the place.

]]> By: Neon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5148 Neon Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:43:28 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5148 Like some one said above, maybe Windowlicker, Robbie Gordon "doesn't play well with others" is pretty much true. That is why I like Robbie Gordon. He will do it his own way, as it should be. Remember the year Robbie and Stewart got into a shoving match in pre-Daytona spirit? Now that's a way to start a season. Get's people interested! For those of you who never witnessed Robbie, in person, flail an Cosworth powered Lola Cart Indy car around, you missed a treat. For a car that is ("was" - sorry for the demise of CART) meant to be finessed w/ precision like input, Robbie would take it by the scruff of the neck and wring out the exhilerating semi-car-control of a rodeo rider. Neat stuff you just don't see on the tube! Like some one said above, maybe Windowlicker, Robbie Gordon “doesn’t play well with others” is pretty much true. That is why I like Robbie Gordon. He will do it his own way, as it should be. Remember the year Robbie and Stewart got into a shoving match in pre-Daytona spirit? Now that’s a way to start a season. Get’s people interested!
For those of you who never witnessed Robbie, in person, flail an Cosworth powered Lola Cart Indy car around, you missed a treat. For a car that is (“was” – sorry for the demise of CART) meant to be finessed w/ precision like input, Robbie would take it by the scruff of the neck and wring out the exhilerating semi-car-control of a rodeo rider. Neat stuff you just don’t see on the tube!

]]> By: Journo http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5147 Journo Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:17:42 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5147 Mike- In no way am I a Michael Waltrip hater. I hoped, as with all of these, this could be an honest look at the team's performance. Without a doubt Waltrip the man and the organization have struggled the past couple of seasons. I'm not writing him off, but if he does not see the improvement he wants to see I don't think he will continue. He doesn't want to just be a mediocre driver and I don't think you can blame him for that. As far as the financial trouble post goes, there is nothing in that post that is not true. They were laying people off telling them that was the reason. The fact of the matter is, if you don't want things like that to get spread around you shouldn't be telling people that is the reason they no longer have a job. As TC says I wish them all the best of luck. I truly believe you are going to see continued improvement out of Reutimann this season. Mike- In no way am I a Michael Waltrip hater. I hoped, as with all of these, this could be an honest look at the team’s performance. Without a doubt Waltrip the man and the organization have struggled the past couple of seasons. I’m not writing him off, but if he does not see the improvement he wants to see I don’t think he will continue. He doesn’t want to just be a mediocre driver and I don’t think you can blame him for that.

As far as the financial trouble post goes, there is nothing in that post that is not true. They were laying people off telling them that was the reason. The fact of the matter is, if you don’t want things like that to get spread around you shouldn’t be telling people that is the reason they no longer have a job.

As TC says I wish them all the best of luck. I truly believe you are going to see continued improvement out of Reutimann this season.

]]> By: JT http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5144 JT Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:13:29 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5144 A couple of thoughts MWR. While I don't think it was the original intention, but MWR may have stumbled onto something good by letting JTGD and Germain to use MWR's facilities and resources for their fledgling Cup teams. In doing this, MWR keeps the shop busy and generates a cash flow that might help the whole operation make it through this recession. As for Waltrip's driving career, as long as NAPA, or someone else, is willing to pay him (mostly for his effective TV ads, rather than his driving ability), I expect he'll be around until he's 50. A couple of thoughts MWR.

While I don’t think it was the original intention, but MWR may have stumbled onto something good by letting JTGD and Germain to use MWR’s facilities and resources for their fledgling Cup teams. In doing this, MWR keeps the shop busy and generates a cash flow that might help the whole operation make it through this recession.

As for Waltrip’s driving career, as long as NAPA, or someone else, is willing to pay him (mostly for his effective TV ads, rather than his driving ability), I expect he’ll be around until he’s 50.

]]> By: Steve C http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5143 Steve C Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:50:05 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5143 TC, Journo, I can see both sides of the post. Michael has had some big shoes to fill the past few years. The first couple of years between being an owner and a drivers, having preformance problems and dealing with rookie and sponsor issues. Michael has had a lot on his plate. MWR should be to the point where Mike can start to deal more with his driving issues and less ownwer issues. He has some great management personal, they also seem to have some good crew cheifs and crews. I know TRD enginge preformance has been an issue. I understand they have changed engine suppliers looking for improved preformance. I don't think that you will see any of MWR cars in the chase this year but I think you will see all 3 in the top 15-20, once again improvment. I do think you will see all three drivers with one win each this year. Therefore yes more of the same. Improvement. As a side point, I think we will see a lot of similar issues for the next year or two with the new Stewart Haas program. Not to the scale of the issues MWR has had, but close. This will be an interesting year. TC, Journo, I can see both sides of the post. Michael has had some big shoes to fill the past few years. The first couple of years between being an owner and a drivers, having preformance problems and dealing with rookie and sponsor issues. Michael has had a lot on his plate. MWR should be to the point where Mike can start to deal more with his driving issues and less ownwer issues. He has some great management personal, they also seem to have some good crew cheifs and crews. I know TRD enginge preformance has been an issue. I understand they have changed engine suppliers looking for improved preformance. I don’t think that you will see any of MWR cars in the chase this year but I think you will see all 3 in the top 15-20, once again improvment. I do think you will see all three drivers with one win each this year. Therefore yes more of the same. Improvement. As a side point, I think we will see a lot of similar issues for the next year or two with the new Stewart Haas program. Not to the scale of the issues MWR has had, but close. This will be an interesting year.

]]> By: Zieke http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5142 Zieke Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:25:36 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5142 I think Waltrip should have retired a long time ago. He is at best an marginal driver, especially with the equipment he has had in previous years. I also feel he has almost all the time blamed other drivers for his wrecks, which are at least 60% his own fault. The Daytona manifold deal was a real travesty. Of course MW claimed innocence, but what else do you do? And rolling his SUV- just think if there had been another car at the scene. I could go on, but I think we see the issues here. Go get a real job, Mikey... I think Waltrip should have retired a long time ago. He is at best an marginal driver, especially with the equipment he has had in previous years. I also feel he has almost all the time blamed other drivers for his wrecks, which are at least 60% his own fault. The Daytona manifold deal was a real travesty. Of course MW claimed innocence, but what else do you do? And rolling his SUV- just think if there had been another car at the scene. I could go on, but I think we see the issues here. Go get a real job, Mikey…

]]> By: windowlicker http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5141 windowlicker Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:47:20 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5141 Mikey's on track performance speaks for itself. I guess that's hard for his fans to swallow. He's easily MWR's weakest driver & I think that's something Mikey realizes himself when he said he'll retire if he sees no improvement in the #55 this year. This is a good thing not a bad thing for MWR. It shows that Mikey does know what he's doing in running a race team & is not willing to run it into the ground because of a driver's ego that refuses to get out of the car. It's not hard to write him off for this year. On the other hand. I think Reuit will make a big leap this year & while not making the chase may be on the cusp like David Ragan did last year. Marcos Ambrose will surprise. I think he will add a lot to MWR. Props to Rob Gordon for sticking it out alone. I think if he merged with another team, he'd be worse off. He doesn't play nice with others. I think running a Dodge last year had a lot to do with his performance & he may too, surprise this year in a Toyota (surprise meaning top 20 finishes) if he can finish races. Mikey’s on track performance speaks for itself. I guess that’s hard for his fans to swallow. He’s easily MWR’s weakest driver & I think that’s something Mikey realizes himself when he said he’ll retire if he sees no improvement in the #55 this year. This is a good thing not a bad thing for MWR. It shows that Mikey does know what he’s doing in running a race team & is not willing to run it into the ground because of a driver’s ego that refuses to get out of the car. It’s not hard to write him off for this year.

On the other hand. I think Reuit will make a big leap this year & while not making the chase may be on the cusp like David Ragan did last year. Marcos Ambrose will surprise. I think he will add a lot to MWR.

Props to Rob Gordon for sticking it out alone. I think if he merged with another team, he’d be worse off. He doesn’t play nice with others. I think running a Dodge last year had a lot to do with his performance & he may too, surprise this year in a Toyota (surprise meaning top 20 finishes) if he can finish races.

]]> By: Bobby http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5140 Bobby Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:43:28 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5140 I am a huge Robby Gordon fan. I think fans of Robby Gordon are similar to Chicago Cubs fans, we don't expect a championship, we just love to see them in the game. I am a huge Robby Gordon fan. I think fans of Robby Gordon are similar to Chicago Cubs fans, we don’t expect a championship, we just love to see them in the game.

]]> By: Neon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5137 Neon Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:55:46 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5137 I am neither a MW fan, or a MW hater. That being said, MW is proof that, as Al Unser once said that "being a race car driver is 10% driving ability and 90% marketing". Now before those of you stone me for claiming "any monkey can drive" (or so easy a cave man can do it-thanks Gieco), that is not what I'm saying. Racers will tell you that most drivers, with at least some talent, will get somewhat close to the best lap time. It's that last 3/10th's that separates the best from the rest. But it's that 90% marketing that gets you "in-da-game". Even MW will tell you that. And he has been really successful at that. Ask Paul Menard (i.e. Papa's Menards $). No, I tip my hat to MW if he does leave the seat asap and open up a spot for that driver w/ the extra 3/10ths in his/her gut. I am neither a MW fan, or a MW hater. That being said, MW is proof that, as Al Unser once said that “being a race car driver is 10% driving ability and 90% marketing”. Now before those of you stone me for claiming “any monkey can drive” (or so easy a cave man can do it-thanks Gieco), that is not what I’m saying. Racers will tell you that most drivers, with at least some talent, will get somewhat close to the best lap time. It’s that last 3/10th’s that separates the best from the rest. But it’s that 90% marketing that gets you “in-da-game”. Even MW will tell you that. And he has been really successful at that. Ask Paul Menard (i.e. Papa’s Menards $).
No, I tip my hat to MW if he does leave the seat asap and open up a spot for that driver w/ the extra 3/10ths in his/her gut.

]]> By: Ross http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/02/05/where-they%e2%80%99ve-been-and-where-they%e2%80%99re-going-part-7/comment-page-1/#comment-5136 Ross Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:21:45 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=994#comment-5136 You've gotta give it to Robby Gordon. He's one of the hardest working guys in motorsports. I really hope he shows something this year. You’ve gotta give it to Robby Gordon. He’s one of the hardest working guys in motorsports. I really hope he shows something this year.

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