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

Edwards' Car Too Low: Penalties on the Way?

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 23, 2007.



Carl Edwards' Dover winning car failed the post race inspection.  Reports indicate that the right rear is over  the 1/2 inch tolerance too low.  Nascar allowed the team to let the car settle (as all cars failing inspection are allowed to do), but the car was the same illegal height.  The car was then confiscated by Nascar.


Opinions vary as to whether the height issue will result in a points penalty.  As it does not appear that the issue is a "COT Tinkering" problem, Nascar is unlikely to penalize the Roush car too severely.  However, Nascar does have a history of disproportionally penalizing Jack Roush's cars, so anything is possible.  (See Mark Martin penalty that cost him the Championship a decade or so ago). 


Edwards attributes the height violation to the "love tap" Greg Biffle gave him after he took the checkers.  Edwards believes the brackets inside the decklid were bent due to the contact.  He also noted that the height tolerance was the wrong direction - crew chiefs want the right rear to be high, not low.


Interestingly enough, last week, Tony Stewart's car failed inspection but Nascar deemed the height tolerace was not met due to damage on the car during the race.  No penalties were given. 


Will Edwards get the same break? Or will the draconian COT penalties affect the Chase standings?

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.

Texas Tangles: Was this a Short Track? Or just a return to Busch Brother Bashing?

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on April 9, 2006.

Nascar finished its Texas weekend, celebrated 10 years of racing at the facility, and managed to continue the Busch Brother Bashing that had been going on for several races. 

Kurt Busch v. Greg Biffle:  Although the President had a taped greeting at the track, the majority of the Busch Bashing this weekend was betwen Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle.  Biffle's car had been strong during the first 50 or so laps, but he was cycled out of the lead due to pit stops.  As he was working his way back to the front, he came across Kurt Busch.  Whether Busch or Biffle was to blame for what happened next depends on your point of view.  Busch, who  was down a lap, end up running into Biffle's back bumper, causing him to crash.  Biffle blamed Busch for ended his day.  Biffle's girlfriend, Nicole Lunders, walked to Busch's pit box and had words with Busch's fiancee Eva Bryan. 

Kurt Busch vs. the Media? The news media wanted Busch's reaction to Biffle's wrech after the race.  Busch gave an explanation blaming Biffle for coming up in front of him and slowing down.  When another reporter asked him what happened, Busch snapped back at them that he had answered the question and stormed off into his hauler.  He later came back out and answered a few more questions.  Apparently the Penske PR people have not quite worked their magic with Kurt...

Clint Bowyer vs. Kyle Busch:  Late in the race, Bowyer opted to take 2 tires instead of 4 to gain track position.  As he was sliding backwards in the field, he began racing with Kyle Busch for position.  As they raced, Bowyer crashed.  Bowyer claimed Busch got into him, Busch claimed Bowyer did it on his own.  The tape is unclear.   Given that Bowyer is a rookie and Kyle Busch is,  well, Kyle Busch, both are probably at fault in some way.

Carl Edwards vs. Jeff Gordon vs. Tony Stewart?  Carl Edwards, who was in third place, was racing with Jeff Gordon, who was a lap or two down.  Edwards got out of shape, hit Gordon, hit the wall, narrowly missed hitting Stewart and then crashed into the inside wall.  Needless to say, he was out of the race at that point.  Reporters questioned Edwards and asked if Gordon or Stewart caused the accident, Edwards denied it  and said it was just him pushing too hard at the time.  After the race, reporters went to Stewart and asked him what he thought happened - Stewart said Edwards was driving too hard ("in over his head") and lost it, then commented he was glad Edwards was OK because it looked like a hard hit into the wall.  In other words, the drivers didn't have issues with each other, but the reporters tried to generate a fight.  No one appears to have taken the bait.

Busch Series Racing Notes:  Kurt Busch won his first race in the Busch series, and to celebrate, he did his "trademark" snow angel.  I admit it was somewhat charming at Bristol where it had snowed all weekend, but I'm not sure it should be his "trademark" celebration.

Reed Sorenson may be penalized after it appeared he threw a piece of his rollbar padding/insulation onto the track to cause a caution.  He then called in that there was debris in the corner.  The Fox cameras caught the piece of foam flying out the window - it didn't seem to be certain that Sorenson threw it, but he was penalized by Nascar for the infraction (he was sent to the end of the line and lost about 5 places).  Nascar may exact a point penalty as well. 

More interesting was a conversation that Kyle Busch and his crew chief had immediately after that accident.  Busch was warned not to throw anything on the track to cause a caution because they had caught Sorenson.  Busch replied that he didn't have anything to throw.  Seconds later he remarked it would be stupid to do it since he had an in-car camera. 

You'll remember that Greg Biffle eventually won a Busch race when someone caused a caution by throwing a glove onto the track.  Nascar never found out who caused the caution or lost the glove.   Hmm...