NASCAR Random Thoughts – April 28, 2008
Every week, the Ladies gather online to chat about the latest happenings in NASCAR. Sometimes it is just plain silly and sometimes it is actually news you can use! But you can always count on it being funny and insightful!
Lady B: Hey everyone, the Race Track Ladies are back and ready to talk about
Lady N: I'm all over my Stremme
Lady S: Stremme can drive a car and so now everyone has
proof again
Lady N: You go big boy!
Lady B: I was very happy for him
Lady S: he is cute
Lady B: cute.....whatever
Lady N: He earned that finish
Lady B: yes he did Lady N
Lady N: So much so he earned the ride again in
the Cup series on Sunday
Lady S: yes he did ... he drove the wheels off that car Saturday
and Sunday
Lady N: Back in his old ride … Wonder how that felt?
Lady S: vindication
Lady N: Guess so...
Lady S: hopefully he will get picked up off waivers
Lady B: Even with that excitement there was still more to come. The hit that Dario Franchitti took was
vicious. I don’t know what Larry
Gunselman was thinking but apparently he wasn’t thinking anything when he
t-boned Dario.
Lady N: The big one on Saturday was amazing
Lady S: he tried to move down the track but not far enough
Lady N: He hit him at 180mph
Lady B: just a few inches to the right and it
would have been more than a broken ankle
Lady S: wow - that ain’t slowing up
Lady N: That had to have hurt really bad
Lady B: bonehead t-boned another driver
Lady S: they need the COT in nationwide
Lady N: in mid 2009 it is coming
Lady K: He called Ashley and told her about the wreck...she
said oh...he said she is so cool
Lady N: It's the meds
Lady B: ha!
Lady S: I guess because he could call after all
Lady B: And let’s give it up for Morgan
Shepherd who started the race 33rd and finished 13th.
Lady N: Wow! You go Morgan
Lady S: he actually ran a competitive race for Jesus
Lady B: pretty impressive for a guy who
doesn't run all the time
Lady N: All for National Prayer Day
Lady B: yep
Lady S: he always races for Jesus
Lady N: He was praying all the way up front
Lady S: and it worked!
Lady N: and faith
Lady B: I'm glad he had a good finish
Lady B: If all of that excitement wasn’t enough how about Kevin Lepage’s bonehead
move. You know I was shocked when in his
interview he basically said it wasn’t his fault. Huh? When you pull in front of a herd of cars
someone is gonna get hurt….and plenty of cars did get hurt.
Lady S: he just wasn't thinking ... obviously
Lady N: He gave a full fledged apology
Lady K: Today he put out a release and apologized
Lady S: he needed to
Lady N: to the fans and NASCAR
Lady S: he sounded stupid
Lady N: when, after the wreck?
Lady K: After he watched the replay....
Lady S: yeah - funny how that is
Lady B: in the driver's meeting they said to
wait until turn 2 to blend … but he did it in 1
Lady S: not turn 1
Lady N: He thought he heard “1”
Lady S: yeah - 1 line of cars coming at him!
Lady N: Sometimes you just don't know...then
you know
Lady S: when u cause an accident
Lady K: He looked like an old woman who did not judge how
fast the cars were coming
Lady B: I felt bad for Carl Edwards...he drove
right up on Kevin Lepage....looked just like when he did it to Kyle Petty
Lady N: It was bad!
Lady S: yeah it looked like a car exhibition with flying
cars!
Lady B: man oh man!
Lady B: From the Nationwide race we had some news that would blend over to the
Cup race. How much do you think David
Stremme was snickering when he was called to replace Dario in his FORMER
car! Payback you know…..
Lady N: I wish I had been a fly on the wall for
that call
Lady B: me too!
Lady K: Well glad to see he did not burn any bridges..never
know how long Dario will last
Lady S: well - it was a smart thing to do Ganassi ... but
still ... Stremme is just trying to find a real job
Lady B: had to get permission from Rusty
Wallace and Roger Penske
Lady S: not a testing job
Lady B: but with Hornish not doing well in the
77.... you never know.
Lady N: Well, it just goes to show you that
they all respect him and his driving skill
Lady S: you never know
Lady K: That would be a good Dodge spot
Lady B: it just made me laugh
Lady S: Hornish floundering
Lady N: There are many drivers floundering
Lady B: Hornish needs to go elsewhere
Lady N: He needs mentoring
Lady S: even JPM caught on faster
Lady B: Stremme has proven he can drive
Lady N: JPM proved himself
Lady S: yes - it took a while and look at how he did Sunday
Lady K: I felt bad for Dario..finally makes the race...gets
hurt in the Nationwide
Lady B: and he couldn't afford it points wise
Lady S: yeah - and couldn’t even start the race
Lady B: and he will take a while to heal
Lady N: It was going to happen to one of the
cup drivers..it just happened to be Dario
Lady S: bad luck ... timing
Lady N: I've been waiting
Lady K: Well, at least not a Steve Park hit
Lady B: amen Lady K
Lady S: good point lady K
Lady B: I don't know what they are going to do
for a driver...not so sure Penske will let him go back so fast
Lady B: I thought the Cup race had some good racing. This is the second time the COT has been to
Lady K: It was much better...
Lady N: It was the best yet, finally … Better
than Daytona
Lady K: You could tell they were more comfortable with the
car
Lady S: I was sold in the beginning of the race but by the
end, I was disgusted
Lady B: well, the end wasn't good for any of
us
Lady S: it wasn't just the wreck ... it was the fact that we
all knew it was coming ... it happens more time than not anymore ...
Lady K: The nature of restrictor plate racing
Lady S: last lap wrecks that ruin it for everyone
Lady B: The restrictor plate was smaller but
the speeds were still up there. In the corners I saw speeds at 200+
Lady S: is that racing?
Lady B: NASCAR tried to slow them down
Lady S: I am over it ... not because Jeffie sucked and
finished 19th but because it is very prescriptive
Lady N: Well, the bump drafting was bad
Lady K: Stewart says we should shorten race to 250
Lady B: you know, I kinda agree with him
Lady S: so they can crash on the last lap sooner
Lady K: Well, get the big one over so we can race to the
finish
Lady B: prescriptive?
Lady S: yes
Lady B: explain
Lady S: u knew what was going to happen before it happened …
it had been building all day
Lady B: well, we all know there will be a big
one
Lady S: no the last lap big one
Lady B: but that is the nature of that track
and those speeds
Lady S: yeah but that is not racing ...
Lady K: They always get jumpy at the end....no smooth
lines...everyone wants a spot that is occupied
Lady S: just not happy - I was really disgusted
Lady N: I was grumpy with the 18
Lady B: Carl Edwards was none too happy about his problems on the track. He said
it was bad camber but even though the team knew there was a problem it was
never fixed.
Lady S: yeah I'll say - flipping Carl was flipping over
camber
Lady K: Well, they did not fix it well..unusual for Roush
Lady N: They are much better than that
Lady S: maybe not
Lady B: I thought so too Lady N … Lots of
cranky people leaving
Lady N: Flaws are not always revealed by Roush
Lady B: The trucks did race this weekend in
Lady S: I didn't catch it ...
Lady N: I saw hands flying and thought for sure
beer cans would be too
Lady B: I only saw parts of it
Lady K: That race I watched..very boring..he dominated the
race
Lady N: I saw a bit of it and it was boring
Lady B: before we get into off track stories
anyone have any other comments about the racing this weekend?
Lady N: Well, I listened in between Gordon and Earnhardt on the radio and it was
interesting
Lady S: yes it was
Lady B: do tell....
Lady S: I did listen to both at the same time
Lady N: Gordon was frustrated in trying to work
with Earnhardt
Lady S: he was
Lady N: Earnhardt would make any decisions. Is
that what you took away Lady S?
Lady B: I heard one conversation where Jr. was
looking for Gordon and trying to hook up with him
Lady S: Jeffie kept asking his spotter or Steve about which
way does Jr want to go? he asked on a few occasions ... just tell him where Jr
wants to go
Lady N: Jeffie wanted to work with Jr. but Jr.
just kept saying I don't know … It was weird
Lady B: I don’t' think Jr. is used to having
team mates to work with....they don't have experience together
Lady S: Jr said that he was just going with the line that
would work ...
Lady B: but what would work for Jr. might not
work for Jeff
Lady S: it was weird and weird because what they talked about
on TV was out of context
Lady K: If you watched the driving...Junior was searching
all over the track for the right line..I don't think he knew
Lady S: evidently
Lady N: That isn't how Jeff works
Lady S: but he was sure to want to stick to Tony Stewarts
butt ... and so that was it
Lady N: It is something they will have to
figure out for the next race
Lady B: sticking to Tony's butt wasn't too bad
an option....
Lady S: I just thought it odd too ... Jeff kept asking for
which line Jr wanted to run with no real response but you never heard that on
the TV
Lady N: They all had power but working together
was an odd configuration …They don't know how to communicate yet
Lady B: it could be the new car as well
Lady S: perhaps
Lady K: Well, I didn't see Gordon up front much...not sure
it matter where he could go
Lady S: he wasn't having problems ... just didn't have
support when he pulled out
Lady N: He was up there but then fell back
Lady K: Neither did Junior...
Lady B: then you had Denny Hamlin who could push
people to the front but couldn't stay up there himself
Lady S: right - you could almost see how the race would end
if Denny was in 2nd heading into the last lap
Lady N: It is that Turbo Power NASCAR needs to
look for
Lady S: I would agree Lady N ... nitro ... turbo
Lady N: Switched from Kyle to Hamlin then back
during the race! Something is up!!!
Lady S: yeah not sure about a race where you just mash the
gas pedal to the floor
Lady N: Pinks needs to come in and figure it
out
Lady B: Lady S it has always been like that
Lady N: oh please...no it hasn't
Lady S: I know and maybe I am just not happy with that form
of racing ...
Lady B: with restrictor plates it has
Lady N: Even Jeff Gordon said
"Impressive" … As they fly by
Lady S: maybe I need sprint cars ... midgets
Lady B: so, onto other news...I guess the biggest news this week is Tony Stewart
and his contract negotiations. Being a Tony fan I know what I think but I want
to hear what you guys think.
Lady S: He wants to go to Chevy and have a Chevy Cup team
Lady K: We are not surprised if you remember
Lady S: or Nationwide team
Lady N: I told you all some many months ago he
wouldn't stay in a
Lady K: You swore he was not going anywhere
Lady S: and JGR said he has no ownership options at JGR
Lady N: He wants ownership like Harvick and he
will get it...only time
Lady S: sure
Lady N: He isn't getting any younger
Lady B: that is no ownership options at
JGR....taking over a part of JGR
Lady N: Gordon already has it at Hendrick
Lady B: nothing says he can't have his own
with JGR support
Lady S: sure
Lady N: Why would he need it with JGR support?
Lady B: it will certainly be fun to watch....
Lady N: He has his own $$$
Lady S: Gordon's deal was not a normal thing - and it was
done many years ago
Lady N: yeah...so he is set
Lady B: I'm thinking it has to do with the
fourth team JGR wants to start
Lady N: hummmmmm
Lady B: if he co-owns it with JGR just like
Hendrick and Jeffie for Jimmie's car
Lady S: what do you mean Lady B? I can't see Tony doing that
...
Lady N: I don't think that will happen
Lady B: I can
Lady S: Jeffie yes, but Tony wants to be more involved
Lady B: Tony also wants to win
Lady S: sure
Lady N: So do many others
Lady B: that won't happen with Haas
Lady K: He has many options...let him feel what it’s like in
the spotlight for awhile...
Lady S: but he has won except the Daytona 500
Lady B: he wants another championship … that
won't happen with Haas
Lady K: He looks like he is enjoying the interviews..which
is unusual
Lady B: they both can happen with JGR
Lady S: eh - I am not worried about him. He will land.
Lady N: He is having fun....
Lady B: With Tony always speaking his mind
this will be interesting
Lady N: Finally
Lady N: Hey..did you all notice something odd
yesterday?
Lady B: what
Lady N: Jimmie Johnson's face? Facial hair!!!
Lady S: no
Lady B: you mean that funky hairstyle
Lady N: yep....he looked great!
Lady S: what facial hair
Lady N: he was growing a beard
Lady B: he can't grow facial hair
Lady S: no way … I didn’t notice
Lady K: Good grief
Lady N: oh yes he can and he was
Lady B: except his eyebrows
Lady S: and since he isn't a young gun anymore he can
Lady N: Dale Jr. has made a huge impact
Lady S: yeah Jr sporting some beard like thing
Lady B: Dale Jr. looks like Brian Vickers
Lady S: yeah - red
Lady N: Well, he had an influence
Lady B: looked weird
Lady K: You know he is going to interview Danica Patrick
Lady B: speaking of
Lady S: Jr?
Lady B: I guess by now everyone has heard that Danica finally won a race…and had
a conversation with Roush. I don’t know if the conversation had to do with
racing or what to order for dinner. I’m
glad to see that she could finally win but I still don’t think she is all that
and a bag of chips.
Lady K: Says he has "hung out" with her
Lady S: She is married
Lady B: like he "hung out" with
Sheryl Crow
Lady N: She and he share a sponsor … Go
Daddy.com
Lady K: I'm glad she won....monkey off the back
Lady S: sure ... and she was so happy
Lady B: let's see if she wins another one
Lady K: I think the speculation she will come to NASCAR is
way too funny
Lady B: me too Lady K
Lady S: who knows - she can drive but in a field of 18 -
well, it isn't as hard to finish top 10 or top 5
Lady B: ha!
Lady N: Hopefully not another negotiation tactic
Lady S: who cares - if she comes fine, I am betting on Chrissy
Wallace
Lady N: yeah,
Lady B: me too Lady S