Comments on: What Do Two 19-Year-Olds, Tony Stewart, Hendrick and ‘Crash Gate’ Have In Common?

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:16:01 +0000

The points system sucks. Smoke should of been in first place at the start of the Chase. Yeah Martin did win more but who was more consistant. Why race for 5th when only 1st is the place to be. I know over a season points grow if you race well. But Martin “did not” race as good as “SMOKE” all year. After all winning isn’t everything you know!!!

By: Doug in CA

Doug in CA — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:41:56 +0000

Regarding Piquet: I know very little about him, only that he had a regular ride in F1. That tells me that he has whatever physical skills are needed to reach the pinnacle of success. Not being a doctor or scientist, I’ll assume he has great reaction time and hand-eye coordination and depth perception. Just a guess.

Could he (or most others) make it in NASCAR? Yes, but only
1. IF he gets a good ride with sponsorship – you don’t make a Cup career starting out with Tommy Baldwin Racing.

2. IF he has patience – he has to spend at least two years in ARCA, trucks, Busch, and a few Cup races, finishing mid-pack or worse, all the while growing from the experience.

3. IF he wants it – if he’s not willing to finish 35th half the time, miss races, etc., then he won’t make it.

4. IF he likes it – if the grind of 36 races is too much for you, then this ain’t your gig. If spending weekends with the NASCAR “family” in the infield isn’t you thing, forget it. By all accounts, Montoya has enjoyed the life a great deal, and it shows.

Of the open-wheelers now nosing around NASCAR, only Montoya (very successfully) and Speed (far less so) seem to meet the criteria I mention. Franchitti never had the sponsorship, nor did Villeneuve.

By: T.C.

T.C. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:18:49 +0000

Neon: The post was corrected after jonaolin’s comment…

By: Neon

Neon — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:16:28 +0000

Journo/jonaolin-not sure why the appology on the Piquet Jr. story? Journo- you accurately said “Piquet wrecked himself…”. That is what he did.
I agree though that he was between an rock and a hard place within the Renault team.

By: Journo

Journo — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:35:15 +0000

Jonaolin- Apparently I’m one those who missed the ball on this story. Sorry.

By: shload

shload — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:48:49 +0000

Didn’t Little E wreck himself and then talk about it on his radio? NASCAR fans are used to this type of staged stuff. Piquet will fit right in!

By: jonaolin

jonaolin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:26:07 +0000

Nelson Piquet Jr didnt wreck another driver during last years Singapore GP. He wrecked himself, putting his Renault into the barriers, bringing out a yellow flag. Still, nothing to be proud of…