NASCAR - The Race For the Championship

[Goodwrench3]

Well, here we are. Down to it. Etc etc!

Ten races to go, the top 10 teams and drivers having being decided these past 26 races in the greatest motor racing series in the world. 45 points seperating 1st to 10th. Time for NASCAR to justify it's choice of this controversial points system.

From what we've seen so far with the 'race for the chase' (ie drivers clamouring for the last spots in the 10) it'll be absolutely riveting, balls out, racing.
The 'purists' won't like it, but NASCAR caters to great 'racing', and always has.

The best team will win.

LETS GET TO IT BOYS!!!

[Jack71]

I wasnt sure about the points system but I think I'm liking it now!
However, I will reserve my judgement for the end of the season.
These boys race hard anyway, but I can't wait to see what happens from here on in!
It'll also be interesting to see the reaction of drivers outside the 10 to the chase drivers when it comes to racing them hard.
Bring on Louden!

[Jack71]

Qualifying was washed out due to heavy rain as a result of Hurricane Ivan. So they'll line up in current Championship positions, which I think is an appropriate way to start the 'race for the championship' as it's called.
Matt Kenseth will be pleased anyway - it's about the only way he'd start in the top 20!

1, Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
2, Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet -5
3, Dale Earnhardt, Chevrolet -10
4, Tony Stewart, Chevrolet -15
5, Matt Kenseth, Ford -20
6, Elliot Sadler, Ford -25
7, Kurt Busch, Ford -30
8, Mark Martin, Ford -35
9, Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge -40
10,Ryan Newman, Dodge -45

[Goodwrench3]

Originally posted by Jack71


Matt Kenseth will be pleased anyway - it's about the only way he'd start in the top 20!




Apparently Kenseth and Busch were REAL slow in practice and are having trouble exracting any speed from their cars. Both were glad of the rain intervention.
The race will be another thing all together though knowing these NASCAR guys......

[wayno]

Race coverage starts at three on AUSTAR. That's only an hour from now and I'm tempted to stay up. Damn having to work this afternoon!
I just hope one or more of the ten doesn't get taken out by an incident that's not their fault. This is NASCAR and that probably will happen. I am just worried we'll end up with an 'artificial' champion.
I like the chase idea but maybe it could have been run as a series within a series for extra bucks? I hope the most deserving guy ends up winning is all I can say.

[Goodwrench3]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Apparently Kenseth and Busch were REAL slow in practice and are having trouble exracting any speed from their cars. Both were glad of the rain intervention.
The race will be another thing all together though knowing these NASCAR guys......

Well some piece of reporting that was - they finished 1-2!!!

Enjoyable stuff on the whole I thought - except if you're a Stewart or Mayfield fan! You knocked the nail right on the head there Wayno. Robby Gordon was not a popular boy before, let alone now! I don't think Childress is too far away from giving him his marching orders.

The 7 of the 'chasers' that made the finish were all reasonably happy, with Busch, Kenseth and Earnhardt very happy, and Gordon, Sadler, Johnson and Martin more relieved at 'having dodged some bullets'.

There was some good articles on www.nascar.com which I will try and paste etc. But being an almost computer illiterate, this will probably not happen!

[wayno]

I was afraid this might happen and it happens first race! I hope Stewart and Mayfield can come back from their misfortune and get back in the fight. It may be exciting but I'm starting to view this whole idea as a big steaming pile of bull poopy!

[Jack71]

I like it.
Was sorry for Stewart and Mayfield, although less for Stewart because it's something he has been guilty of in the past.
As for their chances, theres a lot of racing yet to be done and there is no clear favorite.
Looking forward to Dover - always good racing there.

[wayno]

Must also say a big thanks to Austar. They stay with the bloody cricket for 15 mins whilst India and Pakistan get their trophys and say the other team played well, blah blah blah! Then they cross to the NASCAR's and it's lap three!
Pissed off doesn't even begin to cover it. Then they cut away before any of the post race interviews are done or a pointscore has even been shown! :mad:

[wayno]

See Robby Gordon has now issued an apology for his behaviour on the weekend. So he bloody should. The guy is an idiot!

[Elvis]

Originally posted by wayno [/i]
The guy is an idiot!

Here,here,totally agree,and just in case he didnt here it the 1st time-Robby you are an idiot!!!!
Robby has already been told he will not be back to drive the Cingular Chev in '05'.
But he is loaded anyway,he owns and drives his own Busch car,and is serious about his own cup team next year if he can get sponsors.

*There will be a new Dodge stock car on the grid at Daytona next year,its replacing the Intrepid body which has been running since 2001,Dodge havent named the model yet,but no-one should be suprised if we see the return of the mighty Charger.

*Casey mears and Target have signed a deal to stay with Chip through at least 2005 and possibly beyond.

By the way,Kurt Busch is my least favourite driver of the 10 'chasers' but a very good result for him and Roush.Hats off to them.

[wayno]

Elvis it's nice to see you back here mate! Jeff Gordon will be fine in all this I feel. I'm with you. I'd be shattered to see Busch win this thing. I think it's going to be a few rounds before we can really start to work out who will win this.
Good news for Mears. I think the kid is OK and he needs some time to settle in.

[Elvis]

Originally posted by wayno [/i]
I think it's going to be a few rounds before we can really start to work out who will win this.


Oh for sure,it aint over until its 100% over,id like to see anyone who hasnt won a title win it(Good for the sport) but id love to see the 24 in the championship circle for the 5th time.

I cant wait to see what the new Dodge is called and what it looks like!!-Maybe it will give Kasey Kahne his first win-and title in 2005???
But we still have 9 action and drama packed Nascar races to go until we worry about that.

[Kenseth17]

To say I am absolutely over the moon with the result is an understatement.Qualifying means very little and Matt Kenseth shows this week in week out.The 17 team never set up their car for qualifying and he is nearly always at the pointy end of the field after the race, which is where they give points out.
Kurt Busch was fantastic all day and deserved the win.Like him or not, he has pulled his head in and is maturing this year.Bad news for his competitors.Reigning champ Kenseth drove solid and was fast all day and Roush Racing must be really pleased.Jr did really well on a track that was one of his 'weaker' ones and he is another looking stronger.I was really disappointed for Mayfield and even Stewart who I am not a fan of at all.Robby Gordon has always had rocks in his head and this day showed his best/worst in what was an absolute disgrace.I am still not sure about the Top Ten situation but have to admit it has made this thing really exciting.Whether it is right or not, we will have to wait and see.Finally, can you have a bad race ie Stewart, Mayfield and Newman and come back from it? The Jury is out on that one.

[Mickcals]

its really close this year.

I havent had the chance to watch the races this year, but i have seen a enough to hope that mark martin can come and win this year, he has some luck at the right end of the season.

But it is anyones title at the minute and with 10 races left, we can possibly have 10 different winners, and thousands of different podium combinations - it should be interesting.

I think Jimmie Johnson will more than likely take out the championship hes been the best all year. The only other real stand out is Jeff Gordan

[Goodwrench3]

True to a point about the Hendrick boys. They finished 1-2 after 26 races for a reason (albeit 1 point in front of Earnhardt).
But lately they've been staggering along, with big engine woes more than anything. But as I said earlier, there is no clear favorite so it'll be nothing if not interesting!
And Mark Martin will now come good - Talledega the only track to come that he doesn't like.
And I'm with Elvis and Wayno - Busch sure can wheel a race car, but he's my 10th choice for Champion!

[Goodwrench3]

Originally posted by wayno
Must also say a big thanks to Austar. They stay with the bloody cricket for 15 mins whilst India and Pakistan get their trophys and say the other team played well, blah blah blah! Then they cross to the NASCAR's and it's lap three!
Pissed off doesn't even begin to cover it. Then they cut away before any of the post race interviews are done or a pointscore has even been shown! :mad:

Yeah, I was very annoyed about this too.
Luckily they had extended coverage of the pre race show in the replay.
But on the whole, double standards for sure.......

[Jack71]

Well for the second week in a row the dominant car won.
Great results for Newman, Martin, Gordon and Stewart. Earnhardt did what he had to do too for that matter.
But I just don't get Tony Stewart. What did he have to gain by putting Robby Gordon in the wall? Other than a mashed fender? You would never know he was in the top 10. I know Gordon is a moron for what happened the week before, but pay-back during the 10 race shootout?

Talledega next - will we see the Hendrick cars continue their plate race comback or will it be DEI at the point?
One things for sure - Michael Waltrip will be rubbing his hands together!

[Jack71]

Sorry, didn't realize there was a 'NASCAR - dover' thread.
This is a good thread though, and it'd be good to keep it going I reckon.

[Kenseth17]

An awesome performance by Ryan Newman.He mashed the field and did everything as perfectly as can be expected.His position did not really change though and it will be hard for anyone to catch up being that far behind.Sadler and Kenseth are now in the same boat as Newman and Stewart.I think unfortunately Mayfield is out of it.I have no idea what Stewart was doing rubbing and damaging his front fender with Robby Gordon.To me it was plain that he has almost given up winning this thing, especially after his attitude at the end of the race after a good fightback.Still too close to call but Talladega has come around for the Hendrick and DEI boys at the right time.This is stronghold territory for these teams and I don't expect anyone else out of these teams to win.

[Elvis]

Ricky Craven will race for Joe Gibbs at Dega,in an#11 Old Spice Chev,The #11 will be a full time car in 05 so if Craven goes alright he might get the job-I dont think hell set the track on fire but you never know,it might re-ignite him like the Burton/Childress move did.
Anyway,bring on Dega,and go the #24!!!

[Goodwrench3]

Yeah, Newman sure did mash 'em!

I couldn't believe the Kenseth thing - a bit of a shock really. The guy never puts a foot wrong.

Stewart did have a good comeback drive, but I'd say it was his own fault that he was struggling anyway after needlessly rubbing fenders with one R.Gordon. The guy is on another planet.

Bring on Talledega! Being an Earnhardt fan I'm hopeful of another win there but you just never know on this type of track - the 'big one' can take out anybody at any time.

[Kenseth17]

I was shocked by Kenseth's accident as well.When these guys come into the pits it does not seem that the speed is so great on the track but when they hit something you realise how quick they are going.He seemed quite sombre, a little spaced out and a little embarrassed.I was glad he was ok but felt that his season had probably turned there and then.What made it harder to swallow was the fact that he was fast and if a top three was on the cards for the second week in a row, he would have had momentum.Saying that, as much as I would like to see the champ have another championship, realistically I think the new system has given him the big chance to do that this year.Being Matt Kenseth though, it won't surprise me to see him give it a big shake from here.

[wayno]

Kenseth did make a mistake, but remember the commentary team constantly mentioned that the pit entry at Dover is probably the hardest on the championship. He wasn't the only one to be caught out either as Labonte looped it entering the pits as well.
Talladega this week-end and I can't wait. If I could go to any race on the Nextel Cup circuit it would be this one. Let's see who gets bitten this time!

[Goodwrench3]

It was interesting to read on nascar.com that Ryan Newman hates Talledega and wishes it wasn't on the schedule at all, let alone one of the final 10 Chase races. No wonder he doesn't do at all well on the plate tracks! Mind you, some of the shunts he's had on them would contribute to an attitude such as this.
Earnhardt on the other hand reckons the most fun he ever has in race cars is at Talledega. On the opposite side of the coin from Newman, he's won there four times already and his father won ten times.

[Goodwrench3]

Joe Nemachek on the pole from Ricky Rudd (who was on pole in the April race) and Dale Jarrett.
The ten 'Chasers' as follows,

5th Jeff Gordon
6th Elliot Sadler
7th Matt Kenseth
8th Kurt Busch
9th Jeremy Mayfield
10th Dale Earnhardt Jr
16th Jimmie Johnson
17th Mark Martin
19th Ryan Newman
30th Tony Stewart

Interesting to see so many of them qualifying in a row.
And the Fords are quick - 5 of the 8 Yates/Roush motored cars in the top 10.
Micheal Waltrip (defending champion) is 14th, Kevin Harvick 15th and Kasey Kahne 23rd.
Kerry Earnhardt is driving Childress' #33 car again, as he did in the April race. He was running in the top 6 then when taken out in 'the big one', so I'm hopeful of a good result here. He's 22nd on the grid.
Can't wait!!!

[Goodwrench3]

Yeehaaa!!!!
What an exillerating win by Dale Earnhardt Jr. The lads and I thought for sure that the decision to take tyres on the spash 'n go fuel stop at the end had cost him the race. 11th with 6 to go was an ask I thought. But then his Dad was 18th with three to go in the same race in 2000 and spent the last lap defending the lead! Deja-vu.
And how about Elliot Sadler?!!! His rollover as he crossed the finish was unbelievable, especially after the way he ended the race last year.
Yep, I just love this restictor plate stuff.
Now for the title!!!

[Kenseth17]

An awesome win by Dale Jr.He is the king of restrictor plate racing and the way he 'played with the field' was amazing.He has really come to the fore now and deserves a real crack at the title.
Unfortunately due to really stupid laws of NASCAR and the American banning of light swearing and nipples, Jnr has been docked 25 points and $10,000 for his happy speech at the end of the race.What utter bull**** by NASCAR to pull something like this and should he lose the title by less than 25 points - it will be a real tragedy! I would love to see a Ford win the title but this is just wrong what they have done to Jnr.
:mad:
Elliot Sadler must be thinking Talladega owes him for his specky rollover this year and last.Maybe M&M's should change their logo to "Flip out with M&M's" :)

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Kenseth17
Unfortunately due to really stupid laws of NASCAR and the American banning of light swearing and nipples, Jnr has been docked 25 points and $10,000 for his happy speech at the end of the race.

You just beat me to it!

I watched the end of the race and interviews on tape yesterday and I was a bit surprised at how quickly and seriously Bill Weber apologised for Dale Jr's use of profanity. Yes, I know he said a swear word, (the 'S' word) but it would hardly have raised an eyebrow down here in Aus, but everyone appears to fall over themselves to be politically correct in the US of A.

My fears about the whole Chase deal are hopefully not coming true for one of my favourites. Jimmie Johnson's worked his arse off (oops, can I say that...) all year to get to the front in the championship, and after a couple of ordinary results has now slumped to ninth in the standings - hopefully he can turn it around over the next few weeks...

[GSXR1]

Following is the starting positions for Kansas this weekend. I seem to to recall Nemechek used to be known as Front-Row Joe - now maybe it should be Two-in-a-row Joe...;)

1 #01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet U.S. Army 180.156 29.974 Leader
2 #9 Kasey Kahne* Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 179.253 30.125 -0.151
3 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers HEMI/UAW 179.188 30.136 -0.162
4 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 179.045 30.160 -0.186
5 #18 Bobby Labonte Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 178.891 30.186 -0.212
6 #16 Greg Biffle Ford National Guard/Subway 178.453 30.260 -0.286
7 #12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 178.424 30.265 -0.291
8 #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 178.389 30.271 -0.297
9 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 178.347 30.278 -0.304
10 #42 Jamie McMurray Dodge Texaco/Havoline 178.018 30.334 -0.360
11 #38 Elliott Sadler Ford Wizard of Oz/Pedigree 178.006 30.336 -0.362
12 #21 Ricky Rudd Ford Motorcraft/U.S. Air Force 177.995 30.338 -0.364
13 #77 Brendan Gaughan* Dodge Wizard of Oz/Kodak/Jasper 177.983 30.340 -0.366
14 #10 Scott Riggs* Chevrolet Wizard of Oz/Valvoline 177.754 30.379 -0.405
15 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford DeWalt Power Tools 177.585 30.408 -0.434
16 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Roush Racing 177.544 30.415 -0.441
17 #30 Jeff Burton Chevrolet America Online 177.509 30.421 -0.447
18 #6 Mark Martin Ford Viagra 177.462 30.429 -0.455
19 #5 Terry Labonte Chevrolet Kellogg's 177.462 30.429 -0.455
20 #50 Todd Bodine Dodge Arnold Development Companies 177.381 30.443 -0.469
21 #41 Casey Mears Dodge Target/Breast Cancer Awareness 177.375 30.444 -0.470
22 #97 Kurt Busch Ford Sharpie/IRWIN Industrial Tools 177.235 30.468 -0.494
23 #31 Robby Gordon Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 177.223 30.470 -0.496
24 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 177.171 30.479 -0.505
25 #25 Brian Vickers* Chevrolet GMAC Financial Services 176.927 30.521 -0.547
26 #15 Michael Waltrip Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts 176.794 30.544 -0.570
27 #43 Jeff Green Dodge Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories 176.638 30.571 -0.597
28 #40 Sterling Marlin Dodge Coors Light 176.459 30.602 -0.628
29 #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet GM Goodwrench 176.396 30.613 -0.639
30 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Wizard of Oz/DuPont 176.367 30.618 -0.644
31 #32 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Chevrolet Tide 176.367 30.618 -0.644
32 #49 Ken Schrader Dodge Schwan's Home Service 176.171 30.652 -0.678
33 #4 Jimmy Spencer Chevrolet Lucas Oil Products 176.108 30.663 -0.689
34 #84 Kyle Busch Chevrolet CARQUEST 176.039 30.675 -0.701
35 #0 Ward Burton Chevrolet NetZero HiSpeed 175.970 30.687 -0.713
36 #2 Rusty Wallace Dodge Miller Lite 175.137 30.833 -0.859
37 #22 Scott Wimmer* Dodge Caterpillar 174.933 30.869 -0.895
38 #23 Shane Hmiel Dodge Bill Davis Racing 174.876 30.879 -0.905

Provisional
39 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Georgia-Pacific/Brawny 173.027 31.209 -1.235
40 #198 Larry Gunselman Ford Mach One Inc. 167.494 32.240 -2.266
41 #02 Hermie Sadler Ford SCORE Motorsports 172.623 31.282 -1.308
42 #172 Kirk Shelmerdine Ford Vote for Bush 168.513 32.045 -2.071
43 #194 Stanton Barrett Ford AmericInn/Racer's Edge - - -

Some pretty big names in the second half of the field (Busch, Stewart, Waltrip, Harvick, Gordon & Wallace).

Also, after Dale Jr's expletive in the post-race interview last week, the TV producers have decided to instigate a five-second delay on their 'live' telecast to make sure something that awful never happens again...

[Jack71]

Hey guys. I've been so disgusted about NASCAR's penalty on Dale Earnhardt Jr for saying '****' in a moment of total jublation that I've only today started to calm down enough to comment on other Nextel Cup topics.

A great race in Kansas to follow an even better one at Talledega. Front row Joe had one hell of a weekend! His hit on Tony Stewart in the Busch race was entertaining and the Cup win was awesome. Good to see Ricky Rudd at the pointy end again too.

GSX-R, about your comments on the Chase biting Jimmie Johnson - I'd say the points thing is almost irrelavent in the derailment of his title hopes. He's had so many problems since the beginning of August that even the old system wouldn't have helped him. But don't worry too much dude - he's still young and is a future champion for sure. and they're at Charlotte this weekend - remember the demolition job he did on the field there in May?! I'd say another win for the 48 is not too far away.

[wayno]

Sorry to be late on this guys (as I left for Bathurst Monday morning), but I have to vent my spleen. I have only heard today about Dale Jnr's penalty for swearing.
I can't believe a country that makes as many violent movies and tv shows (not to mention making music videos aimed at kids that raise even my eyebrows) can be full of such a double standard.
That penalty was a knee-jerk reaction to a spur of the moment thing said as an accident.
If Jnr loses now by less than 25 points I'm going to be really upset. This has really spoilt what to me was another excellent Talladega race (I paid for watching it once I got past Albury though!).

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Jack71
GSX-R, about your comments on the Chase biting Jimmie Johnson - I'd say the points thing is almost irrelavent in the derailment of his title hopes. He's had so many problems since the beginning of August that even the old system wouldn't have helped him.

You're probably right, but bringing him back to the field certainly hasn't helped his situation. But everyone knew the rules at the start of the season, so all the top ten are in the same boat.

I did think about sitting down and working out what the points would have been under the 'old' system, but then thought bugger that, that's too much brain strain!:D

Personally I now hope his car owner/teammate Gordon can take the title (and if so, by more than 25 points over Dale Jnr...)

[GSXR1]

Sorry for hijacking this thread and going slightly off-topic, but I thought the regular NASCAR guys might be interested.

I'm not normally a name-dropper but it's not everyday a current NASCAR Nextel Cup driver gets in contact with you!

Without plugging the shop too much, I work in a specialist motoring bookshop that also sells dvds and audio cds and the like.

Last week we received an order through our website for a couple of Smokey Yunick audio cds. The name of the person placing the order was none other than Kenny Schrader of Concord, North Carolina!:cool:

I was a bit suss when I saw the order at first (we get a few dodgy orders) so I did a bit of searching on the net and went to Kenny's official website, and sure enough, all the contact details matched up!

Although I'm sure Kenny could have afforded them, we ended up referring him to a place a little bit closer to him, as it would be a whole heap cheaper than ordering them from Australia. He emailed us back thanking us and said he didn't even notice we were in Australia when he placed the order!

[Kenseth17]

Ken Schrader thought Perth, Australia was in the USA?? To be fair, I guess that puts him alongside most other Americans..... :D

The Kansas race was a tough affair for everybody involved and it was nice to see Joe Nemechek end up with the win.It was his weekend for sure and the Busch win was a pearler.....I loved seeing Tony Stewart get some of his own medicine. :)
I think the Nextel Cup is down to three guys now with Busch, Jnr and Gordon the only fellas who can win it.Mathematically others can still win but maths has had sweet FA to do with winning championships (well sometimes).
I had nothing else to do so I got together all the results into the chase and as some of us were wondering what the points would be under the old system, it would look something like this.....

1.Jeff Gordon Chevy -
2.Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevy -1
3.Kurt Busch Ford -184
4.Jimmie Johnson Chevy -223
5.Tony Stewart Chevy -271
6.Eliott Sadler Ford -325
7.Matt Kenseth Ford -346
8.Mark Martin Ford -425

-500+ All Others

Ryan Newman would be -524 behind the leader.

It's still too early to say who will be champion but I still prefer the old points system to this one.
That is coming from a Ford fan who see's a Ford leading it and the defending champ being brought closer to the front by it......

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Kenseth17
I had nothing else to do so I got together all the results into the chase and as some of us were wondering what the points would be under the old system, it would look something like this.....

1.Jeff Gordon Chevy -
2.Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevy -1
3.Kurt Busch Ford -184
4.Jimmie Johnson Chevy -223
5.Tony Stewart Chevy -271


I say bring back the old system!!!:D

As Jack71 said Jimmie Johnson would still be struggling under whatever system was used, but at least he would be fourth and not ninth! And Jeff Gordon would still hold a (extremely slender) points lead....Kenseth17, do these point include Dale Jr's penalty?

[wayno]

I don't care if the old system would help or hinder the guys I support in the championship. This new system is a bunch of Mickey Mouse c*** that puts NASCAR even more in the realms of the WWE type of sport. A championship is run over a whole season and should be scored as such.

[GSXR1]

Qualifying has been run for this week's race, and this (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/31/data/line up.html) is how they finished up.

As usual awesome speed from Ryan Newman, with a lap average speed of nearly 190mph, while most of the rest of the field are around the 183 - 186 mark.

Also the points leaders could only muster mid-pack results, with Busch 21st, Gordon 23rd and Dale Jr 25th.

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Kenseth17
Ken Schrader thought Perth, Australia was in the USA?? To be fair, I guess that puts him alongside most other Americans.....

No offence to our American forum members, but we get it quite a lot.

Mostly they order PAL format videos or dvds, and we spend a lot of time emailing backwards and forwards explaining the differences between the PAL and NTSC formats, and more often than not the order ends up getting cancelled.:(

We try and give as much info as is practical without cluttering on the website but it doesn't seem to deter them...!

I'm guessing in Schrader's case he probably knew what he wanted, did a search in Google or similar, found our listing and just linked straight into the site without realising we were on the other side of the world (despite the .au at the end of our URL)

I guess he's also probably got more important things on his mind as well (like driving a Cup car every week - what a job...) ;)

[wayno]

Thanks for the link mate. An interesting grid I must say. Good result for Scott Riggs in fourth. I feel this team is very close to a good result and I look forward to watching the race this week-end.

[GSXR1]

I don't know how many of you regulars also follow the Busch Series, but personally I'm pretty disappointed to see that Foxtel haven't scheduled any telecast of this week's race, either live or delayed.

I know we all follow the Cup Series primarily, but I also like watching the Busch Series race to give me a taste of what's to come...

Also this week's Cup race is a Saturday night (US time) race, so is being run at roughly 7.00am Sunday morning (Perth time), but the replay is not until 8.30pm Sunday night....

I don't mind cricket, but until mid-day Sunday (Perth time) Fox have replays (not live) listed, why not slot the NASCAR race somewhere in there?

Fox is normally pretty good with either live, or not-very delayed coverage, but this weekend is a pretty poor effort in my opinion

[Goodwrench3]

Good points all!
Yes, am upset with Foxtel not covering the Charlotte Busch race. I'm a cricket nut but they still could have slotted it in somewhere. Good to see though that Truex has held his lead over Busch to over 140 points. And just on that battle, anyone else note the irony of the two Busch's fighting the #8 cars owned by Earnhardts in both series?!!!
Dale Junior wants Truex to stay in the Busch series for another year, but Kyle Busch is heading to the Cup with the #5 Hendrick team. Truex 24yo and Busch 19. Earnhardt believes Brian Vickers went to Cup too early and that Truex will benefit having had another year in NBS. The cynical side of me says that by 2006 Truex will convieniently slot into the #15 of Micheal Waltrip. But then again, Junior himself did an extra year in the Busch series after he won it (Champion '98 and '99), at the insistance of his father.
Back soon with further opinions, but right now I'm off to look at houses - specifically ones that have a bar-type room big enough for my die-cast collection!!!

[Kenseth17]

Originally posted by GSXR1
I say bring back the old system!!!:D

As Jack71 said Jimmie Johnson would still be struggling under whatever system was used, but at least he would be fourth and not ninth! And Jeff Gordon would still hold a (extremely slender) points lead....Kenseth17, do these point include Dale Jr's penalty?


Yes GSXR1.This system includes Jnr's penalty of 25 points.

[GSXR1]

For reasons mentioned in my earlier post I'm yet to watch this week's Charlotte race, but couldn't help myself and had to check the results online, so if you haven't watched it either and don't want to know the results yet DON'T read on....:D

Jimmie Johnson has kept up his awesome form at his team's and sponsor's home track, and led a Hendrick 1-2, with Jeff Gordon finishing runner-up after getting into trouble on lap 1 and spinning out again later in the race!:cool: Jimmie also finished third in the Busch race the previous night.

Not much change at the head of the standings, as the top three finished one after the other, but in reverse order with 3rd place title runner Gordon second, 2nd placed Dale Jr third and championship leader Busch fourth.

So they close up slightly, but still pull further away from the rest of the chasing pack with only five races remaining.

With Jimmie Johnson virtually out of the running I'll be barracking for Jeff Gordon from here on in.

[wayno]

Yeah those guys are going to have to trip up pretty badly for the rest to catch up now. I still think Junior should be in front after his ridiculous points penalty.
What has Kahne got to do to get a win? The car was awesome but the races just seem to keep getting away from him.
Good solid run from junior all night, but Busch and Gordon really dodged bullets in this race.

[Elvis]

Originally posted by GSXR1 [/i]
With Jimmie Johnson virtually out of the running I'll be barracking for Jeff Gordon from here on in.

Good to hear!!!Its a shame for Jimmie but its the same as NFL,NHL,NRL,AFL etc.The season goes along and 1 team might dominate then certain people/teams make the finals and a different team might fire up and take the Championship.

Great results for J.Burton and Nemechek,and most of the top 10 who started way,way outside the top 10.

PS-Did anyone else love K.Kahnes paintjob,I did-Cmon Action please make a 1/24 of it.!!!!!

[singer]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Yes, am upset with Foxtel not covering the Charlotte Busch race. ]

I'm upset about Foxtel's coverage of Motorsport especially Australian motorsport.:mad: & they only pay lip service when you complain:mad:

[Goodwrench3]

Yeah, Foxtel were ordinary with the Charlotte Cup race coverage too. Going from 41 laps to go down to 17 over an ad break was offensive!
Junior's penalty was upheld on Monday so he'd better not lose this title by 25 or less points or else a red-neck from NC might just put a cap in Mike Heltons arse!
And as an Earnhardt fan I was frustrated by the UAW-GM Quality 500. He was never lower that 7th after lap 40 yet Gordon and Busch dodged big bullets (as Wayno said) to score well. Junior admitted to being too conservative on the last stop in that the car was tight but he wouldnt let the crew loosen it up.
Martinsville next - always very entertaining.
PS - GSX-R, great story about Kenny Schrader!

[Elvis]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3 [/i]
Junior's penalty was upheld on Monday so he'd better not lose this title by 25 or less points.


I know most of yous wont agree with this but i dont feel sorry for Jnr at all,there is no need at all to swear on TV-let alone in exitement,I think NASCAR did the right thing,otherwise were gunna have guys from the hood saying="Man my crew was great today,the pitstops were as fast as a flying f#@*,the s#@* they pulled of today was F*#@$*% second to none,Robby Gordon the motherf@%*ing,co#$%head tryed to wreck me at the end but i spun his fat a@*#* out the way"

That might sound 'all that' down at the crib with the homeboys and trannys at downtown harlem but to most people its not full sic bro.
Hes not Hewitt so he shouldnt be swearing,no matter what the word is,it doesnt sound good to all the ladies,men and young kids out there who idolize racecar drivers worldwide.Thats just what i think anyway:)

[wayno]

I can see the point of view from both sides but still think a points penalty was a bit harsh. I think a fine and a warning would have sufficed.
You're spot on about these guys being role models though elvis. This behaviour needs to be nipped in the bud very quickly.
Away for the next month with no Foxtel so am going to miss all the races over that time. Not happy at all!

[Jack71]

You boys will hear a lot worse than '****' if you bother to have a close listen to any of Channel Tens coverage of the V8's.

The penalty is complete and utter garbage and makes NASCAR look like a laughing stock to all other major motorsports. I don't have to go into 'why' - it's been covered to death on all NASCAR websites.

[Goodwrench3]

Originally posted by Jack71
You boys will hear a lot worse than '****' if you bother to have a close listen to any of Channel Tens coverage of the V8's.

The penalty is complete and utter garbage and makes NASCAR look like a laughing stock to all other major motorsports. I don't have to go into 'why' - it's been covered to death on all NASCAR websites.

Exactly right! Have a listen to the pit to car radios that 10 broadcast!!!
I love America, and the South in particular. But their hypocracy knows no bounds.

[Elvis]

Originally posted by Jack71
You boys will hear a lot worse than '****' if you bother to have a close listen to any of Channel Tens coverage of the V8's.

The penalty is complete and utter garbage and makes NASCAR look like a laughing stock to all other major motorsports. I don't have to go into 'why' - it's been covered to death on all NASCAR websites.

I do hear it and---its funny to hear Murph going of his brain but if i had a choice to hear it or not,id choose not to hear it.Also #10 is going into the cars in hectic race mode not outside the car in an interview.
If you give an inch they want 5 inches,shout someone lunch,they expect it all they time.If Nascar allows s#*@ to be said,In days,months or years to come youll hear something similar or worse then my example before.
Nascar already penalized 2 drivers earlier in the year for the same thing so Jnr was no exception.
And the only reason the Nascar community is up in arms is because Jnr's the most popular driver,if it happened to Kurk Shelmerdine no-one would even bother to care.

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
PS - GSX-R, great story about Kenny Schrader!

Yeah, I must admit I was pretty spun-out when it happened though!

Admittedly Schrader's best years are behind him now, but it still impresses me that one of the household names of Winston / Nextel Cup over the last 20 or so years, who literally hundreds of thousands of people go to watch race each week, managed to find our little shop in sleepy old Perth WA from way over the other side of the world.

I wouldn't imagine any of the Cup drivers would be as accessable as say the V8Supercar drivers for example are here in Australia, and so relatively few fans would get much of an opportunity to get that close to their heroes, but here is one of them seeking us out! :D

I guess it goes to show how the internet has really made it a small world...

[Kenseth17]

Originally posted by Elvis
I do hear it and---its funny to hear Murph going of his brain but if i had a choice to hear it or not,id choose not to hear it.Also #10 is going into the cars in hectic race mode not outside the car in an interview.
If you give an inch they want 5 inches,shout someone lunch,they expect it all they time.If Nascar allows s#*@ to be said,In days,months or years to come youll hear something similar or worse then my example before.
Nascar already penalized 2 drivers earlier in the year for the same thing so Jnr was no exception.
And the only reason the Nascar community is up in arms is because Jnr's the most popular driver,if it happened to Kurk Shelmerdine no-one would even bother to care.

They would give a damn if it was Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin etc etc...
I disagree that the uproar is about Jnr being so popular.It is about a guy who is fair and is racing for the championship.Whilst penalizing a driver for the curse is ok, taking points from his championship is not.Everybody agrees that if there must be a penalty then it has to be a fine but not $10,000, make it $100,000 or more.That way NASCAR get their point across and it is going to make more drivers sit up and take notice.No one likes being hit in the pocket.
The second point is that what Junior said after the race in glee and happiness does not have a damn thing to do with his points position at all - that is until NASCAR make it so.It was one word said in highly joyous emotion and not a massive tirade from him which brings me to the third point in all this.The two other drivers that were penalised the same way earlier in the season said their's in anger and that context was totally different to Juniors.
It's ok to deliberaretly take out a guy on the track and punch a guy in the mouth after a race but it's not ok to let slip word that Junior used at Talledega.Hypocrasy is the word for it!!!

With 5 races left, it still looks like a 3 way battle between Busch, Junior and Gordon.Jimmie Johnson was terrific and it amazes me to think that Lowe's motivated him so much to win here again.That is the first 'double' since Dale earnhardt in 1986.It gained him virtually nothing on the championship leaders and unless Junior, Busch and Gordon have a massive slip up each and the others have a good race, then they can forget being champion.I felt sorry for Kasey Kahne but his time will come.The night racing is exciting and there should be more of it.Well, onto Martinsville and race 6 in the ten.Amazing you can go from the Super Speedway of Talladega and 3-4 weeks later be racing on a short track.I love this series!! (Just not the way it's run sometimes....oh and the chase) :(

[Elvis]

I hope Jnr learns from this-Do not swear on TV!!It was a silly thing to do,he'll just have to make up for it on the track.

My wish came true,Action is making a 1/24 of Kahnes Mopar Dodge,this is one of my most anticipated models ever and i cant wait for it!!!!

Martinsville next=A chance for a really unuasual race result.....well NASCAR results always are,but this race is extra special.There wont be many finish with an undamaged car!!!!

[GSXR1]

On to Martinsville and Ryan Newman scores his seventh pole for the season, and heads a fast Penske Racing squad, with Rusty Wallace alongside him on the front row, regular Craftsman Truck series runner Travis Kvapil a great sixth, and Brendan Gaughan in 14th.

Most of the Chase guys have qualified in the top half of the field, but a few of the Fords haven't done that well - Mark Martin 23rd, Matt Kenseth 25th and Elliott Sadler 33rd.

The three main contenders are towards the front - Dale Jr 3rd, Kurt Busch 7th and Jeff Gordon 15th.

Full lineup here (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/32/data/line up.html)

[GSXR1]

A bittersweet victory for Jimmie Johnson, tempered with the tragic news that 10 people, some of them members of the Hendrick family and the others associates of the Hendrick Motorsports team, perished in a plane crash en route to Martinsville.

Those killed included team owner Rick Hendrick's brother John, two of John's daughters and Rick's son Ricky, team owner of the #5 Lowes Monte Carlo driven by Kyle Busch in the Busch Series.

Condolences to all at Hendrick Motorsports and associated family and friends of those killed.

Points-wise the win has rocketed Jimmie up to fourth in the standings, but he didn't make up much ground on championship leader Kurt Busch, who only finished a few spots behind him and gained the five bonus points for leading the most laps.

While I don't wish for anything bad to happen to Kurt Busch, I'll be disappointed if he does take the title, as I believe the three guys immediately behind him (Gordon, Earnhardt Jnr and Johnson) currently are more deserving winners, as they have been the ones consistently at the head of the points table, with at least five wins each this year. That's my opinion anyway.

I guess we'll find out in a few weeks time...

[Goodwrench3]

Just read with much sadness of the plane crash which has devastated Hendrick Motorsports.
All 10 people on a Hendrick plane were killed whilst en-route to Martinsville for the Nextel Cup event.
Among the dead are Ricky Hendrick, son of owner Rick Hendrick, John Hendrick, brother of Rick and president of Hendrick Motorsports, and John's 22 year old twin daughters. Also on board were the Hendrick Motorsports CEO, their chief engine builder and an executive from Dupont. Three pilots were also killed.
Ironically, the race was won by Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson, and team mate Jeff Gordon went to second in the standings. None of the crews on any of the four Hendrick Motorsports teams competing in the race were notified of the tragedy until after the race.

[Goodwrench3]

GSX-R1, I wrote my post at the same time as you were doing yours, inadvertantly repeating some of your points.

[Kenseth17]

I don't really know what to say this week.A tragedy of such size is hard to swallow and you can only imagine what those who were close to the victims are feeling.As a race fan and everyday person, I want to express my deepest sympathies to everbody involved with those people who lost their lives.





Cup wise, it is starting to get serious for our top contenders but will comment on that before or after the next round.......

[GSXR1]

Another pole for Ryan Newman, taking his tally to eight so far this season, with quick laps also from Joe Nemechek, Elliott Sadler and Carl Edwards all within one tenth of a second of pole.

Full grid here (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/33/data/line up.html)

Interesting to see that while NASCAR struggled to field a full grid at some tracks earlier in the season, there will be 15 guys reluctantly loading their cars back into the transporters early this time around. Those that failed to qualify or get in on provisionals include regular runners Scott Riggs in the Valvoline car and Scott Wimmer in the CAT car.

After the tragic events of last week Kyle Busch fell agonisingly short of taking out the win for the Ricky Hendrick crew in the Busch race overnight. Matt Kenseth dedicated his win to engine builder Randy Dorton who also perished in the same crash. Hopefully either Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon will be able to go one better in the Cup race.

Also Richard Childress announced that Jeff Burton would be taking over the #31 Cingular Wireless car from Robby Gordon at the end of the season, and it looks like Dave Blaney will take over the ride of the #30 car being vacated by Burton.

[Kenseth17]

It will be interesting to see how the events of last weekends tragic air crash will affect Hendrick Motorsports.I have a feeling Jeff Gordon will go 'all out' in this one and try to take the running up to Kurt Busch.He has qualified well by the looks and things are gonna be hot on the track.Busch just has to keep running as strong as possible and drive to win races.The wrong thing to do is to go all defensive but I can't see him doing this.Jr needs to gain at least 20-30 points on the leaders this weekend, to keep the pressure up.Despite his second terrific weekend win in a row, Jimmie Johnson and all others are out of it, unless all top three have a total disaster this weekend or next and Johnson keeps up his top 5 runs.
Atlanta is a really great racetrack and I feel Jeff Gordon will win this weekend but how much he will gain on Kurt Busch will be the big question.

[GSXR1]

Three in a row for Jimmie Johnson!!!

I haven't had a chance to watch the race yet, but I couldn't help winding the tape to the finish to see the result. Jimmie did it for the Hendrick team!!

Foxtel cut the live feed just as he was about to go to Victory Lane, so it might be worth watching the replay tonight to catch the celebrations/dedications.

Crap results for Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch and Earnhardt Jnr and great finishes for Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin mean that the title is now wide open again. Johnson is now up to second in the standings, only 59 points behind leader Kurt Busch, with the whole top five covered by less than 100 points with only three races remaining...

[Elvis]

Originally posted by GSXR1
Jimmie did it for the Hendrick team!!


He sure did,this guy is the new Jeff Gordon-7 victorys so far and now only 60 points behind.
This Championship is really heating up,and Busch would be getting a little nervous right now.

Jimmies win wont erase the pain for the Hendricks but it sure helps.

[Goodwrench3]

Well, I was happy for Hendrick Motorsports. But thats about where it stops for me at this race.
Mark Martin was very unlucky not to have won a race he completely dominated. Team mate Greg Biffle no longer on his Xmas card list.
Junior had a top 5 wrapped up - I won't bother commenting on the incident that took him out.
So now Johnson is very much back in it. And Martin of course. Basically, I don't care who wins it AS LONG AS IT'S NOT KURT BUSCH!!!

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Junior had a top 5 wrapped up - I won't bother commenting on the incident that took him out.

I still haven't watched the race in full, but I did watch the post-race interviews last night, and Junior basically took responsibility for what happened to him. I take it he tangled with Carl Edwards?

Basically, I don't care who wins it AS LONG AS IT'S NOT KURT BUSCH!!!

Couldn't agree more, although obviously my preference is for either the #24 or the #48.

[Jack71]

Interesting race was Atlanta.
I think Junior was being very diplomatic about his incident with Edwards. Tony Eury Snr was less so.
I felt sorry for Mark Martin. What does he have to do to win?
Phoenix this weekend - Ryan Newman on the pole again. Pity they don't pay points for that Ryan.
I'm with you Dudes with your Kurt Busch sentiments. I'm pulling for Earnhardt and Martin.

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Jack71
Phoenix this weekend - Ryan Newman on the pole again. Pity they don't pay points for that Ryan.

That's four poles in a row for Newman! Without trying to make the championship boring I hope that Jimmie Johnson can continue the trend and make it four wins in a row as well!;)

Another good qualifying result for Joe Nemechek as well, I've never really rated him, but he's been pretty quick of late.

Full line- up here (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/34/data/line up.html)

[Kenseth17]

I have just finished watching the race and thought there were a number of amazing things that happened.It was nice to see Johnson and Hendrick motorsports win after what happened to them.Three in a row is some feat and now he is back in it.Mark Martin dominated the race and deserved a win but that's the way it goes.Greg Biffle.....I had better not comment on him.It was a shame what happened to Jnr but I thought it was a racing incident and it was totally unfortunate he wrecked.He is not out if it though.With Kurt Busch having an engine failure, it looked like he would be brought right back into the field but it ended up being a pretty good day for him, if you can say that.Nobody has mentioned this but I thought his interview right after his DNF in the pits was one of gracefulness and maturity.He has his knockers but he should be given credit where credit is due and congratulated for his philosophical attitude.He has grown up a lot this year.
Onto Phoenix and this is where Jnr won last year.Maybe he is due again? Newman on pole again but this does not get you any points, so let the race begin....... :)

[GSXR1]

Now it's really starting to hot up!

With only two races remaining until this year's Champion is crowned there are only 48 points covering the top four in points (and only seven points between 2nd and 4th...) .

The next couple of weeks are going to be make or break - one slip up and your out of it!

[singer]

Originally posted by GSXR1
Now it's really starting to hot up!

With only two races remaining until this year's Champion is crowned there are only 48 points covering the top four in points (and only seven points between 2nd and 4th...) .

The next couple of weeks are going to be make or break - one slip up and your out of it!

Reliability, driver skill, pit stop strategies & pace cars are going to make the remaining races VERY interesting :)

[Goodwrench3]

Oh what a good race Phoenix was!!!
Of course, they are sweeter when your driver wins (six for Junior this year), but there was plenty happening.
I particulaly enjoyed wathing Junior driving 10/10ths after his second last stop, having gone a lap down to Busch, Kenseth, Gordon etc due to different strategy. His car was great, and he was hauling. Sort of reminded me of someone else with the same name....
The Championship is there to be won for Busch, Gordon, Earnhardt or Johnson.
Those pillocks at NASCAR are licking their lips.

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Those pillocks at NASCAR are licking their lips.

You're probably right - this year is going to go right down to the wire so they'll say the new rules have been a great success, but to me the title should go to the driver that's been the overall best over the whole year.

I'll be the first to say I'm not a Matt Kenseth fan, but his consistent top five finishes last year made him the worthy champion.

[Jack71]

Good win by Junior. He had the best car, but was made to earn it. This is the beauty of NASCAR - most of the time.
He'll be a worthy champion should the title come his way.
Was hoping jeff gordon would be shoved out of the way in the final two laps - a big brush with the wall would have been good! But as Junior said, he did well to bring the #24 home second.

[Kenseth17]

Great win in Phoenix by Jr.He had the best car and race going for sure.It will go all the way down to the wire and should any of the top 4 finish around 30th or lower, then they will virtually eliminate themselves from the running.Rain has washed out Darlington qualifying, so all 10 start together with Busch leading them off at the start.

[GSXR1]

Well this thing is going to go right down to the wire!

Dale Jr slipped a bit in the points race, but is still well within striking range, as is Mark Martin.

But I think the champion will come from the top three, who are only separated by a total of 21 points.

I know which drivers I'll be barracking for, and Kurt Busch won't be among them...

C'mon Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon - make it a Hendrick one-two

:)

[singer]

How many more races till the end of the Series? Is it 1 more?:confused:

[GSXR1]

Yes, that's right, just one more race left next weekend at Homestead (Miami).

How could I forget to mention in my previous post that Jimmie Johnson took his eigth win of the season, and his fourth win out of the last five races.:cool: He's coming home with a wet sail.

[Kenseth17]

Another fantastic win by Jimmie Johnson.He is just hot right now and has all the momentum and class of a champion.He deserves this title more than anyone but will the 'Chase' stop him from claiming his immortal place in NASCAR history for 2004.I thought he was gone 3-4 races back, and he was, but this is just awesome.All credit to Kurt Busch for hanging in there and fighting this out but I still have a problem with anyone being up there because of the Chase system.He has scored more points than anyone else in the 9 chase races so far but the season is more than just 10 races- it's the whole year and unless he is going to win it by 250 points, then it will be a shame in some ways.I don't want to take anything away from anyone and the title has not been decided but NASCAR have to answer to all this 'artificialness' they have created.I think it puts more than a couple of drivers in an awkward position.
Jeff Gordon is the only other guy who can probably win it as Jr and Mark Martin would have to finish the race in 1st or 2nd and hope all the other realistic title contenders finish 25th or worse and that just ain't gonna happen.
Will the Ford 400 in Miami be the crowning of another Roush Ford or Hendrick Chevrolet.We will know very soon.........

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Kenseth17
He deserves this title more than anyone but will the 'Chase' stop him from claiming his immortal place in NASCAR history for 2004.I thought he was gone 3-4 races back, and he was, but this is just awesome.All credit to Kurt Busch for hanging in there and fighting this out but I still have a problem with anyone being up there because of the Chase system.He has scored more points than anyone else in the 9 chase races so far but the season is more than just 10 races- it's the whole year and unless he is going to win it by 250 points, then it will be a shame in some ways.

I'll be the the first to admit that I'm biased towards Johnson, but his results over the course of the whole season speak for themselves.

So far this year the records of the top four read as follows:-
Busch - 3 wins, 9 top-5s and 20 top-10s
Johnson - 8 wins, 19 top-5s and 22 top-10s
Gordon - 5 wins, 15 top-5s and 24 top-10s
Earnhardt Jnr - 6 wins, 16 top-5s and 21 top-10s

Busch's top-10 finishes have been enough to get him into the Chase, but he lags behind the other three when it comes to results at the front of the field.

But everyone's governed by the same set of rules, so I guess you can't knock Busch for being where he is, more the rulemakers...

[Goodwrench3]

I enjoyed Darlington - to see the boys racing as absolutely as hard as they could for those final 50 laps was sensational.
Now that Earnhardt is effectively out of it, I'll be backing Johnson for the title. He deserves it. But truth be told I just can't stand Busch. Or his little sibling either!

But there will be plenty of high drama this weekend at Homestead, so set those VCR's!

[singer]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
I enjoyed Darlington - to see the boys racing as absolutely as hard as they could for those final 50 laps was sensational.
Now that Earnhardt is effectively out of it, I'll be backing Johnson for the title. He deserves it. But truth be told I just can't stand Busch. Or his little sibling either!

But there will be plenty of high drama this weekend at Homestead, so set those VCR's!


What Channel & when ?

[holden_on]

probably pay tv as it usually is .i use to watch it on optus before i moved to a non pay tv area.:)

[singer]

Originally posted by holden_on
probably pay tv as it usually is .i use to watch it on optus before i moved to a non pay tv area.:)

Pay tv it is but they keep changing the times & even the channel :(

[GSXR1]

Pretty much worst case scenario for Jimmie Johnson after Qualifying, with Kurt Busch taking pole position and himself not getting in on time, so having to resort to a provisional and start from 39th on the grid - his worst qualifying effort of his Winston/Nextel Cup career...

Jeff Gordon qualified fifth fastest, Mark Martin wound up 11th quickest and Dale Earnhardt Junior will be starting out of 16th position.

Full Lineup here (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/36/data/line up.html)

[GSXR1]

Congratulations to Kurt Busch, who did just enough to make sure he took the crown this year.

But both the Team Hendrick drivers fought it out until the bitter end, but came up agonisingly short at the chequered flag.

Only eight points seperated Busch and Johnson in the end, so if Jimmie had managed to get past Greg Biffle for the win in the last few laps the five extra points for first place over second, as well as the five bonus points for leading a lap would have been enough to vault him past Busch and give him the crown.

But he didn't, and it wasn't to be...

Nine of Kurt Busch's 21 top-ten finishes came in the last ten races of the season, rewarding him for his consistency by the smallest margin in NASCAR history.

Unfortunately because of that I think the organisers will view this new points system as a great success, but personally I don't feel it provides an answer as to who is the best driver over the whole season, not just the last ten races. (It has nothing to do with the fact that my guys got beat...;) )

End of whinge...:D

[singer]

Originally posted by GSXR1
Congratulations to Kurt Busch, who did just enough to make sure he took the crown this year.

But both the Team Hendrick drivers fought it out until the bitter end, but came up agonisingly short at the chequered flag.

Only eight points seperated Busch and Johnson in the end, so if Jimmie had managed to get past Greg Biffle for the win in the last few laps the five extra points for first place over second, as well as the five bonus points for leading a lap would have been enough to vault him past Busch and give him the crown.

But he didn't, and it wasn't to be...

Nine of Kurt Busch's 21 top-ten finishes came in the last ten races of the season, rewarding him for his consistency by the smallest margin in NASCAR history.

Unfortunately because of that I think the organisers will view this new points system as a great success, but personally I don't feel it provides an answer as to who is the best driver over the whole season, not just the last ten races. (It has nothing to do with the fact that my guys got beat

End of whinge...: What a Bummer!!!:(

[wayno]

Well my fears were realized. The most deserving driver did not win the title. Any one who views this system as a success is kidding themselves. Americas' WWE type attitude to sports is becoming a joke.

[Dingo]

Well I for one am glad that the points system was changed - otherwise Jeff Gordon would have won (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/data/standin gs_whatif.html) and as we say in our family "anyone but Gordon" :D

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by Dingo
Well I for one am glad that the points system was changed - otherwise Jeff Gordon would have won (http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2004/data/standin gs_whatif.html) and as we say in our family "anyone but Gordon" :D

That link makes for interesting reading, especially taking note of how high Jamie McMurray would have finished, considering he missed out on making the top ten with ten to go.

Conversely how far Jeremy Mayfield would have dropped if he hadn't scraped in.

If I hadn't seen that my guess as to the finishing order would have been something like :- 1st place Jimmie Johnson then in second Dale Earnhardt Jnr followed closely by Jeff Gordon and then daylight back to Kurt Busch in fourth.

While Jimmie Johnson came home with a big run in the last five or six races it still wouldn't have been enough for him to make up for the engine dramas he experienced in the early part of the latter half of the season.

[Kenseth17]

Congratulations to and I am happy for Roush Racing, Jimmy Fennig and Kurt Busch.They did everything to hang on and win this title.It also has probably cost me $200 bucks as I will ad his two cars to my Ford winners collection....
It was a fantastic race and very exciting at Miami.
Again I don't want to take anything away from the Champion and his team but........ you just don't tinker with a points system that tries to create 'extra excitement' and ends up dumping the guys who deserve the title more.Depending on who you barrack for, it will very likely cost us all titles in the years to come.NASCAR is exciting enough without this system.
I am a Ford and Roush fan but this just feels ever so slightly wrong........
Maybe it will take years to accept this system after we get over the initial feelings, I don't really know.

[wayno]

Originally posted by Kenseth17
Maybe it will take years to accept this system after we get over the initial feelings, I don't really know.

I'll be honest, I don't think I'll ever be happy with this system. I have been a dedicated follower of NASCAR since I first got pay tv in 1997 but I think those days are over unless this system is changed.
Next year I'll watch the races I enjoy, but I won't be going out of my way to catch every race unless the points system is changed.

[GSXR1]

Originally posted by wayno
I'll be honest, I don't think I'll ever be happy with this system.

Gotta agree with you there.

It happened to be two of 'my' guys that just missed out this year, but if circumstances were different, and one of them was crowned champion when someone else had clearly been more deserving over the rest of the season then I wouldn't be satisfied either.

Yes, the old system meant there was the chance of someone running away with the title, but if they are good enough to get themselves into that position over a season of 36 races then good on them, reward them for their efforts.

Like I've said in a previous post, I have no hard feelings towards Kurt Busch, as he did all that was required of him under the rules that everyone was racing under to wrap up the title, I just don't believe he was the most deserving driver of the championship in 2004.

But Wayno, I'll still watch all next year's races!;)

Go #48, #24, #29 & #20 in 2005!!!

[Goodwrench3]

Well, I STILL can't decide if i like the system or not!
It did add an extra something to the final 10 races, but at the end of the day it was either the 24 or 48 that were robbed.
I was absolutely tranfixed to the screen for every minute of the Homestead finalle - the Championship battle and all the ebbs and flows of the contenders was fasinating.
But I was devasted that Busch ended up with the title! Now I'm an 'anyone but Gordon' man too, and even I was pulling for him at the end!!! I was actually hoping Johnson would pull it off seeing as Earnhardt was out of it.
Roll on Daytona. My Man in the 8 car will be favorite for that again!
But I'm hoping for a Childress revival next year too. I can only hope.

[singer]

Originally posted by wayno
[B]I'll be honest, I don't think I'll ever be happy with this system.

I think the system for allocating points is an issue for all motor sports NASCAR, V8, Procars, Indycars F1.

The Co-ordinating bodies need to lift their games, otherwise it will all be viewed as a farce.:(

[wayno]

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
Well, I STILL can't decide if i like the system or not!
It did add an extra something to the final 10 races, but at the end of the day it was either the 24 or 48 that were robbed.
I was absolutely tranfixed to the screen for every minute of the Homestead finalle - the Championship battle and all the ebbs and flows of the contenders was fasinating.


It did add something to the end of season no doubt but I still don't like it. Could you imagine the outcry if this was introduced for the V8 Championship?
The top ten in a chase for something is a good idea I feel. I just feel it should be a big cash prize instead of the title. This would get some interest into the last part of the year even if someone had run away with the main prize.

[Goodwrench3]

I've just read with great interest on www.nascar.com that it's all change for Dale Jnr and Micheal Waltrip.
They are effectively swapping their crews, although Tony Eury Jnr will now be MW's crew chief as Tony Snr is now director of Motorsports at DEI. Pete Rondeau will take over the head duties of the #8 car, bringing with him all the crew from the #15 from this year.