Talladega Texts: Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 7, 2007.


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:32:34 p.m.
Happy,
I'd like to make a $10,000 donation to the "Wax Smoke Fund."  I figure it's the least I can do for the guy who knocked me out of the race yesterday. 
Carl


Monday, October 1, 2007 4:22:57 p.m.
Junior,
Hi!  Do you remember meeting me at Daytona a couple years ago?  Just wonderin' if we could get together sometime soon.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS.  Do you still get free Bud?
PPS - Was 60 minutes really right about how much you make per year?


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:37:00 p.m.
Jacques,
Please don't take my comments personally.  I think you'll do fine in Nascar.  The issue is that your first race is at Talladega.  Talladega is not a kind track - have you watched the footage from Bobby Allison's crash?  Did you know that several drivers have died there testing? 
I know you need restrictor plate track experience before Daytona, but maybe you should start with Scott and Dario in the ARCA series.
Unless you're planning to help with Montoya, you'd be better off watching the race Sunday.  Montoya is a big moving chicane.  We don't need another one to worry about. 
Jeff


Monday, October 1, 2007 10:34:21 p.m.
JJ -
Thanks for saying I should have won yesterday.  What I don't get is why none of us was penalized if Biff was keeping a reasonable speed.  In fact, didn't you pass me at the end under the caution?
Clint


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 9:10:08 a.m.
Bumgarner,
I don't understand how we passed the pre-race inspection and then failed the post-race inspection with the manifold. 
At least we found out before Sunday.  That would have been a disaster.
So Knaus was in the garage when you left Friday night?
Kyle


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 2:04:22 p.m.
Bill -
I don't understand why Montoya was welcomed with opened arms and I'm not.  I mean, my credentials are even better - I'm an F1 Champ! 
What do I need to do?  Gordon is clearly upset, and he's the calm one of the bunch!  I don't even want to know what that hot-head Stewart thinks.
JV


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 11:34:50 p.m.
Kurt,
Thank you for your kind words.  I'm holding up pretty good, even though the rehearsal schedule is horrible!  It's worse than the Indy 500 for endurance!
I sure will put in a good word for you with the producers.  Why wouldn't they want a former Nascar Champ as a contestant?   I'd hate for those dance lessons for your wedding last year to go to waste!
Helio


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 6:43:24 p.m.
Humpy
Of course I'm serious about moving the track if the City won't let me build the drag strip!
Curtis & I built this.  And I can tear it down.
I plan to tell them that at the meeting.
Bruton


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 2:34:12 p.m.
Denny,
I don't think we've met, but I heard about you from Paris.
Let me put it this way:  Anything she can do, I can do better.
Text Me!
Britney Spears


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 4:32: 08 p.m.
Kyle -
Big congrats on the M&M deal!  I loved that sponsorship. 
Enjoy!
Elliott


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 7:23:34 p.m.
Shrub,
I expect chocolate stocked everywhere next year.
Don't forget my motorhome.
Congrats on the new sponsor.
Smoke


Thursday, October 4, 2007 7:23:34 a.m.
Bushy -
What's up with the Cubs?  When you get up (don't even pretend you didn't stay up all night watching the game), call me.
Newman


Thursday, October 4, 2007 4:52:29 p.m.
Dario,
I'm sure if you want to meet the team you should be able to do that tomorrow.  We'll all be there for practice.  And if there's anything you need, let me know.
David Stremme
PS:  Will your wife be coming to the track with you?


Friday, October 5, 2007 10:34:33 a.m.
Pam,
I'd love to be able to come to your wedding in Vegas tomorrow night, but my schedule makes that impossible.  But, I should be able to host you and your new husband at the track anytime. 
And no, I haven't had any more problems with videotapes.
Smoke


Friday, October 5, 2007 6:43:22 p.m.
Kasey,
Hi!  Remember me?  I think we met a few years ago.  Paris was talking about you.
We agree that you are SO cute.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS - Have you already started to get free Bud?


Saturday, October 6, 2007 10:23:53 a.m.
Richie  -
Man, you gave us a scare!  I hope you are home resting and getting better.  Sorry you won't be able to see Tony Jr and I win tomorrow.  We'll bring you the trophy!
Junior


Saturday, October 6, 2007 8:42:44 p.m.
Mikey -
You should have the selected dates from UPS.  We think a modified schedule will let me ease into the booth and not have to worry about qualifying every week.
Congrats on the pole.  You look good up there.
Dale


Saturday, October 6, 2007 9:00:03 p.m.
Denny,
JD updated me about the parking.  Tony last week and now you. 
I trust that you will make up for it tomorrow.
Let's talk Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.
Joe


Sunday, October 7, 2007 6:11:47 p.m.
Sorry for the global e-mail - my tire went flat. 
Wish I hadn't collected so many Chasers, but I'm glad everyone was OK.
What was the deal with the hyper security before the race?
Bobby


Sunday, October 7, 2007 7:20:00 p.m.
Richard & Teresa -
We don't have any idea why there were so many engine failures.  It will take some time in the shop to figure out.  It is likely a component that wasn't machined properly.
There is no truth to the rumor that we had a break-in in the garage last night.
I'll keep you updated.
Bill


Sunday, October 7, 2007 8:04:01 p.m.
Mom,
I tried to make tea, and we are completely out of sugar.  Even the extra bag from the pantry is gone.  Could you stop and get some?
Love, Taylor Nicole

Moonlighting: Edwards "Dislocates" Thumb in Late Model Crash

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on July 23, 2007.

Carl Edwards was happily spending his Cup off week racing - first at Gateway in the Busch series, and then in several late model races. Sunday night, Edwards crashed into another competitor and hurt his hand at a late model race at I-80 Speedway in Nebraska.

Conflicting reports indicate he hurt his left hand, then his right hand. Regardless, Edwards took a trip to the hospital to have it evaluated. His brother, Kenny Edwards, told reporters the right thumb was dislocated when it caught on the steering wheel during the crash.

Edwards has since canceled a testing session at Milwaukee on Monday, another testing session Tuesday at Bristol, and a racing appearance at a dirt track on Wednesday.

This could be a costly injury at the midpoint in the season for the Busch series leader, and the fifth place driver in the Cup standings. Edwards anticipates racing in both the Busch and Cup race this weekend in Indianapolis.

The injury highlights the danger to drivers who elect to moonlight at other racing events/series. Other competitors who regularly engage in moonlighting include Tony Stewart (who has broken ribs), Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Kenny Wallace, JJ Yeley, Ken Schrader, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson.

I enjoy seeing Cup drivers race in different series than they typically do, but each race increases the chances that they will become injured and unable to race in their primary series.

Some sponsors have clauses that prevent moonlighting (ie Budweiser-Dale Earnhardt Jr), while other sponsors add their name to the "new" car (ie Dodge/Mopar - Kasey Kahne, Coca-Cola - Tony Stewart).

Owners get into the prevention act by limiting the number of races a driver can race outside his primary series, or by requiring advance notice of the event (Kasey Kahne). Rick Hendrick appears to allow some moonlighting, but not a lot. Jeff Gordon has rarely gone back to his dirt track roots, and while Jimmie Johnson occasionally gets into a Daytona Prototype, he always takes primary sponsor Lowe's with him.

Edwards' injury is sure to cause owners and sponsors to scramble to review their moonlighting policy, And it may be that we will be seeing fewer Cup drivers at the local track.

Breaking News: Jimmie Johnson Requests Longer Suspension for Knaus

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on March 15, 2006.

In a startling development, driver Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports have petitioned Nascar to extend crew chief Chad Knaus's four race suspension.

"We have won two of the last three races and finished second in the other race, all while Chad has been at home.  This team has really pulled together, and we're afraid that it will just be a big letdown when he comes back,"  commented Johnson.

Added owner Rick Hendrick, "The team does well with Chad using text messages, instant messenger, and phones.  The inevitable power struggle between Chad and Darian (Grubb), the interim crew chief, can be avoided if Chad stays home." 

"Chad and the whole team really want to win the Championship this year"  Remarked Johnson, "But as well as we have been doing, I mean, there really isn't anywhere to go but down.  I don't want to be the Mark Martin of my generation.  I want to win the Championship this year and back to back Daytona 500s.  Chad is 100% behind this."

The petition alleges that Nascar was too soft in only issuing a four race suspension and not docking the team any points.  The petition cites complaints from competitors, sponsors and fans and claims that "Nascar's soft penalty gave the appearance of preferential treatment which is detrimental to the overall sport."  Johnson and Hendrick ask that Knaus's penalty be extended through the 2007 Daytona 500.  "Such a penalty will send a clear message that there are no favorites in Nascar Nextel Cup racing, and will give other crew chiefs pause when considering bending the rules,"  according to the petition. 

Hendrick explained the reasoning behind asking for the additional penalty, "We've heard the complaints from the fans, sponsors, and competitors.  Lowe's is particularly concerned that there has been a backlash from customers refusing to use their #48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet Monte Carlo credit cards due to the soft penalty.   That translates into thousands of dollars in interest revenue gone everyday.  And despite Tony Stewart's ontrack antics, nascar fans are boycotting Lowe's and shopping at Home Depot instead."   Both Hendrick and Johnson believe the additional penalty will clear the air, motivate the team, and put those dollars back into Lowe's pocket.

Apparently the suspension has not been too grueling for Knaus.  While serving his suspension, he has been spotted on both Hendrick's and  Jeff Gordon's yachts as well as skiing in Colorado.  He could not be reached for comment, but his voice mail message indicated that he was learning "all about" traction control at the F1 race in Bahrain last weekend.

Knaus in the House?

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on March 13, 2006.

Jimmie Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus was penalized after qualifying for the Daytona 500.  He has not been present at the track since Nascar escorted him from Daytona during the week of February 12th. 

Knaus, a student of Ray Evernham, has been serving a 4 race suspension at home.  However, he is able to contact the team via cellphone, computer, instant messages etc. 

Is that fair?  Is it really a penalty to not be present, but to be able to make the call long distance?  In this age of technology, Knaus may have a better idea what is going on in a race via his track pass/ cellphone then he would have sitting on the box.  Presumably, he doesn't have to deal with the circus that goes on at the track.  But if a basketball coach is ejected from the game, he doesn't get to instant message the assistant.  He doesn't get to e-mail the next pay into the point guard.  Why does Nascar allow Knaus to communicate with the team when he's being punished?  Are they so naive to think he can't run the team from home in his pajamas?

Granted, it is more difficult to visualize something than to see it, but given that Knaus has worked with his team (and selected the individuals for the team), I don't imagine he has much difficulty understanding what they are explaining to him.

Johnson has admitted to speaking daily with Knaus about the cars, set up and life in general.  Other than his physical presence missing at the track, Knaus hasn't missed a beat. 

Meanwhile, Johnson continues to march onward, collecting two wins and a second in three races.  While that appears to be a testiment to Darian Grubb's interim crew chiefing, it may be due to Knaus's finger still being on the trigger.

Cheating & Smoking: Back From the Track

Originally Posted on February 20, 2006 on Foxsports.com.

Daytona races generate cash, crashes and controversy.  This 500 was no different, and since I attended my first Daytona 500, here are my thoughts on what happened at the race.

Jimmie Johnson's Car:  Yes, this team has a history of hovering their foot over the black areas of the rule book (think Dover, Las Vegas etc).  And Crew Chief Chad Knaus tried a new trick and got caught.  So, the team was penalized - the team kept the car,  passed inspection and  won the race.  Knaus watched the 500 from home while his team celebrated all last night and most of today.  It is expected that a harsher additional penalty will be levied tomorrow (Read - more weeks to get caught up on his at-home projects for Knaus). 

It is interesting to me that the team got to keep the car - Nascar has taken cars for less.  In 2003, at Texas, Tony Stewart's car was seized by Nascar because it didn't fit the back window X template.  Stewart had to run a backup car - the car wasn't returned until much later - although nascar kept the sheet metal body  (and still has it in its impound shop).  Some speculate that Nascar suspected traction control, couldn't find anything and kept the car to save face.  Rumor has it that Stewart and Zipadelli got the engine and chassis of the car back months later after they mentioned to a reporter that Nascar took the car to provide an engine to toyota.  The reporter published the story, Nascar adamently denied it, and immediately turned over the majority of the car.  Nascar similarly impounded Kyle Busch's busch car a couple years ago.

So, should Johnson have gotten to keep the car?  Well, if the parts that were in violation were removed by Nascar, then why not?  That is typically how the situation is handled (and the illegal parts are set out for the rest of the teams to get a look at).  The complaints arose mainly because Johnson won - otherwise, this would be a non-issue.  By the way, Johnson gets to take home approximately $1.5 million for this one race.  Second place (Casey Mears still gets over $1 mil).

Tony Stewart's Daytona Daze:  Smoke may be an appropriate nickname this week - Stewart was on fire about the bump drafting going on at the track.  Apparently, the on-track antics during the Shootout continued to smolder in Stewart's mind, because he was not in the mood to put up with anything on Sunday (or Saturday).  Stewart is an aggressive driver - given a half-way competent car, he'll find a way to get it to the front.  On Sunday, Stewart had several near spins, passes through the grass, and bumps to and from other competitors.  He was upset about the bumping and banging that was going on. 

First, he had an incident with Gordon.  Gordon slipped up the track in front of Stewart and hit him.  Stewart had given him room, but the room stops at the concrete wall - Gordon (or his spotters) lack of clearance of Stewart's car damaged 2 potentialy winning cars.  After that, Stewart had problems with McMurray and Kenseth.  Kenseth bumped Stewart and Stewart then drove him down on the grass, resulting in a penalty for Stewart.  Kenseth then retaliated by driving up on Stewart as they left pit road.   Kyle Busch was later penalized for rough driving to Stewart - after Stewart complained to his crew chief about it.

Was Stewart wrong to run Kenseth onto the grass?  Yes.   Was Kenseth wrong to retaliate?  Yes.  Could there be more penalties tomorrow?  Yes.  Will this generate more drama for the next race thereby increasing ratings?  Absolutely.  I mean, did you know that Matt Kenseth had this much personality, let alone a temper?  First, he names his cat after the lead singer in Metallica, and now picks a fight with Stewart?   He may actually get an interview next week instead of Junior!   So much for just being a quiet cheesehead from Wisconsin...    Throw in the Kurt Busch-Jamie McMurray feud and things get really interesting. 

Note to Nascar:  Why not run a short track race immediately after Daytona - that way, the drivers can make things look "accidental" and, heck, we're going to have a car crash war regardless what track is next - why not do it when we expect we'll be wrecking the cars anyway, and are only driving 60-80 mph? 

Championship Predictions Based on Rookie of the Year?

Originally posted at Foxsports.com on January 2, 2006.

The pattern of Nextel Cup Champions  and Rookie of the Year winners over the past few years:  3 years into their career, many drivers peak and become series champions. 

For example, in 1999, Tony Stewart was the Rookie of the Year (ROTY).  He won the (then) Winston Cup Championship in 2002. A year after Stewart was ROTY, Matt Kenseth was ROTY, and turned around an won the championship in 2003.  Both of those championships were won under the "old" series point system.  Kurt Busch upheld the tradition by being a rookie, but not ROTY in 2001, and winning the championship in 2004 under the "new" Chase format. (Jeff Gordon won his fourth championship in 2001).

This isn't entirely a new trend.  Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon initially set the bar high by winning their championships in less than 3 years.  Earnhardt won his first championship the year following his ROTY season. Gordon was ROTY in 1993 and won his first championship in 1995.

In 2002, Ryan Newman claimed the ROTY trophy over Jimmie Johnson.  Both were in contention for the championship this year but were foiled by Stewart.

What does that mean for the rookie class of 2003 and the Championship in 2006?  In 2003, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray battled for ROTY honors.  McMurray won ROTY honors that year, but Biffle was on a hot streak in 2005.   Biffle is a clear favorite by most commentators as a contender for the 2006 Championship.   Many believe that McMurray, now in Jack Roush's cars, could also be a contender for the Cup.

With the Chase to the Nextel Cup now instituted, in theory any of the top ten drivers could win the championship.  All Biffle and McMurray need to do to continue the pattern is make the Chase and stay consistent.