[LSC9901]

Welcome back to the East Coast and to Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race for 3/18/07 goes live on FOX at 1:30 PM. We'll be going live at 12:30 PM. Hope you can make it and hope you have a good seat.

[LSC9901]

Due to an unforseen situation I wil not be joining you all today. The thread is open now so that you'll all be able to do the "Live Chat". Good luck with your drivers.

[Lefty Noob]

Thanks, LSC! Welcome, everyone, to this week's live NASCAR chat. I'll be hosting today in LSC's absence. Already an interesting development, as I'm sure you've all heard, in that Ryan Newman will go from the pole to the rear because, according to the AP, "Saturday, Newman's Penske Racing team changed the engine on his No. 12 Dodge, meaning he'll start from the rear of the 43-car field in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race."

Don't know about you guys, but I started Newman in the Fantasy League this week and, while I'm happy to get the 10 point qualifying bonus for Newman, it stinks that he now starts in the back. Should his crew have made the change?

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Thanks, LSC! Welcome, everyone, to this week's live NASCAR chat. I'll be hosting today in LSC's absence. Already an interesting development, as I'm sure you've all heard, in that Ryan Newman will go from the pole to the rear because, according to the AP, "Saturday, Newman's Penske Racing team changed the engine on his No. 12 Dodge, meaning he'll start from the rear of the 43-car field in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race."

Don't know about you guys, but I started Newman in the Fantasy League this week and, while I'm happy to get the 10 point qualifying bonus for Newman, it stinks that he now starts in the back. Should his crew have made the change?

He broke a piston, so they had no choice but to change it.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Mike24

He broke a piston, so they had no choice but to change it.

Well, leave it to the AP to completely leave out a little detail like that

Seriously, the only thing they mention is Newman saying that the engine "was tightening up coming off (turn) four and we had a pretty good amount of oil in one of the spark plugs."

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Thanks, LSC! Welcome, everyone, to this week's live NASCAR chat. I'll be hosting today in LSC's absence. Already an interesting development, as I'm sure you've all heard, in that Ryan Newman will go from the pole to the rear because, according to the AP, "Saturday, Newman's Penske Racing team changed the engine on his No. 12 Dodge, meaning he'll start from the rear of the 43-car field in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race."

Don't know about you guys, but I started Newman in the Fantasy League this week and, while I'm happy to get the 10 point qualifying bonus for Newman, it stinks that he now starts in the back. Should his crew have made the change?

When you discover an unusual/unacceptable/fouling amount of oil in a cylinder, not so sure it leaves you with much choice. Fix the problem? Even if rules allowed there's the risk, especially with the time constraints involved, the seemingly obvious "cause" may only be a symptom and the real cause may go unfound. Here of course we can only guess. Be interesting to see if info is provided on just what was found to be the cause, and how well things turn out for them in the race today.

[Lefty Noob]

Wow... not much of a crowd right now. Hope that changes. About half an hour till race time!

[Mike24]

Um, Rikki, Jeff Gordon is starting 5th, not Kyle Busch.

[Lefty Noob]

Man... way too much talk about NEXT week. Uh, what about this week's race, guys?

[Lefty Noob]

This American Idol skit they're doing may be the lamest thing I've ever seen... made me hit the damn mute button!

[Mike24]

Good grief.... will they stop asking Martin? HE'S NOT GOING FULL TIME!

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Good grief.... will they stop asking Martin? HE'S NOT GOING FULL TIME!

Yeah... but you just know they want him to. Kudos to the guy for sticking to his guns.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah... but you just know they want him to. Kudos to the guy for sticking to his guns.

I know they want him to, but he has said time and time again he's not going to. How many times does he have to repeat that?

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Mike24

I know they want him to, but he has said time and time again he's not going to. How many times does he have to repeat that?

Heh, they'll probably be out at his house next week during pre-race ceremonies to ask one more time!

"Not too late to change your mind, Mark!"

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah... but you just know they want him to. Kudos to the guy for sticking to his guns.

It may have to do with the fact that he already "retired", but still here he is racing today.