[Souporscotty]

I turn the sound off and don't listen to anybody. Except maybe Jimmy Buffet. I don't need some talking head telling me that they're goin' fast and turnin' left. Or spinnin'. Or crashin'. You get the picture. Granted, I probably miss some trivial things. But if somethin' big is happenin' I can always turn the sound back up. Besides, when you go to the track who do you listen to?

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Start ???? Obviously you haven't looked at some of my past postings about him.

Oh, I have, but you don't weave Tony bashing into EVERY topic like you do with Dim and Nit!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Oh, I have, but you don't weave Tony bashing into EVERY topic like you do with Dim and Nit!

HEY !!!!! I have my priorities.

To expand on that a little, I think Tony is one of the best drivers ever, when he doesn't turn into a flagrant arse on the track. I also don't care for his PR abilities.

Now the brothers Wit .... Dim was a fair driver in his day. He was overly aggressive. Yes he did win races and championships, but I'm no fan of how he did it. Simply put he is not announcer material. I think the proof is right in your face every week. Now Nit is nothing. He was and is a below average driver. He is an incompetent owner. A 6 year old probably has better PR skills than he does. Yes he won a few races ... with DEI. None before and none since. That speaks volumes. Although he doesn't qualify I will agree that his speeds have been faster, in a couple of attempts, than those in the top 35. They are still well below average. If his name were Michael Smith my guess is he never would have made it into the cup series.

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

You may not know this but I'm no Mikey fan !!! That said if he goes to the booth for cup races and works with the other Wit brother I will give serious consideration to watching the race with no sound. A man can only accept just so much !!!

I'll take care of you LSC! LOL! Got to take care of the men on the site! Hope no guy takes that the wrong way, if you know what I mean! LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist! I knew you didn't like Mikey, I so much want to cut his hair!

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

If his name were Michael Smith my guess is he never would have made it into the cup series.

I think there might be a couple of drivers that fall into this catagory.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

I'll take care of you LSC! LOL! Got to take care of the men on the site! Hope no guy takes that the wrong way, if you know what I mean! LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist! I knew you didn't like Mikey, I so much want to cut his hair!

Me too ... right above his adams apple !!!

[LSC9901]

Speaking of Mikey .... once again failed to make it into the race. While his speed would have gotten him in he has no points so the top 35 issue beats him once again. Is it time for Toyota, MWR or Mikey himself to make a decision ???

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Me too ... right above his adams apple !!!

Brutal, baby, brutal!

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Speaking of Mikey .... once again failed to make it into the race. While his speed would have gotten him in he has no points so the top 35 issue beats him once again. Is it time for Toyota, MWR or Mikey himself to make a decision ???

As you know LSC like you, I am no Mikey fan, but this top 35 thing has to stop. Its just not fair to someone that runs his butt off to qualify, only to have the chosen few make the show. Mikey was faster than a LOT of the big dogs, and still has to load up and go home. Like him or not, that is just not right for anyone and in my opinion is detrimental to racing as a sport.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

As you know LSC like you, I am no Mikey fan, but this top 35 thing has to stop. Its just not fair to someone that runs his butt off to qualify, only to have the chosen few make the show. Mikey was faster than a LOT of the big dogs, and still has to load up and go home. Like him or not, that is just not right for anyone and in my opinion is detrimental to racing as a sport.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[jks812]

It's just wrong when he qualified better than 30 something cars that were trying to get in and better than 23 that'll get to race.

[PenelopePitStop]

Ok ... help this blonde understand ... I think I get it, but I'm not sure.

The scenario and the numbers I use are purely for example.

So, 35 cars make it into the race based on qualifying speeds. There are spots for 10 more cars. Mikey is the fasted of the final 10, and technically qualified 36th. He has no owner points, or past champion provisional, so he's out because the other 9 cars have more owner points?

So answer me this: Is there a set number of cars that qualify purely on speed, then spots are left open for drivers with owner points? Is this standard for every race?

I know, I know, I sound like a rookie. I'm not. I've just focused on the race for all these years, but as I've said before, you guys have me curious about things beyond race day.

I always thought that if there were 48 starters, the fastest 48 were in, everyone else goes home. I guess I'm wrong!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

As you know LSC like you, I am no Mikey fan, but this top 35 thing has to stop. Its just not fair to someone that runs his butt off to qualify, only to have the chosen few make the show. Mikey was faster than a LOT of the big dogs, and still has to load up and go home. Like him or not, that is just not right for anyone and in my opinion is detrimental to racing as a sport.

Much to the surprise to those who watch me constatntly blast the Wit Brothers, I also feel sorry for the situation they are in. Mind you not so much for Mikey .... more about the system itself. This is totally unfair to those who are new to the sport or those who did not do well the year before. Really now ... what does last year have to do with this year. How would NASCAR view this if JJ went to a Toyota team next year ?? A great driver not in the race ??? I know ... the chances of that happening are real slim. Never the less it all goes back to what most of us have said .... let the fastest 43 race no matter what or who.

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Ok ... help this blonde understand ... I think I get it, but I'm not sure.

The scenario and the numbers I use are purely for example.

So, 35 cars make it into the race based on qualifying speeds. There are spots for 10 more cars. Mikey is the fasted of the final 10, and technically qualified 36th. He has no owner points, or past champion provisional, so he's out because the other 9 cars have more owner points?

So answer me this: Is there a set number of cars that qualify purely on speed, then spots are left open for drivers with owner points? Is this standard for every race?

I know, I know, I sound like a rookie. I'm not. I've just focused on the race for all these years, but as I've said before, you guys have me curious about things beyond race day.

I always thought that if there were 48 starters, the fastest 48 were in, everyone else goes home. I guess I'm wrong!

After race #6 this season if you are in the top 35 in points you are guaranteed a starting spot. Qualifying is now apparently just to sort the order, not determine the field. Positions 36 through 42 will be the next seven fastest drivers not in the top 35 and the 43rd spot will go to a former Champion who needs it or to the fastest driver not already in the field if there is no past champion who needs the slot.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

After race #6 this season if you are in the top 35 in points you are guaranteed a starting spot. Qualifying is now apparently just to sort the order, not determine the field. Positions 36 through 42 will be the next seven fastest drivers not in the top 35 and the 43rd spot will go to a former Champion who needs it or to the fastest driver not already in the field if there is no past champion who needs the slot.

Thanks for explaining, LSC.

Well, that sucks! (Can I say that?)

What the hell is qualifying for other than to sort the top 35 as you say? Why not line up the top 35 in order of points, and let the rest qualify to bring up the rear based on speed?

So you're telling me that if I am 15th fastest during qualifying, but am not in the top 35 in points, I'll start 36th (or higher)?

Sorry to get off topic here ... but you're so damn smart!

Mikey doesn't have a chance, does he?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

So you're telling me that if I am 15th fastest during qualifying, but am not in the top 35 in points, I'll start 36th (or higher)?


Mikey doesn't have a chance, does he?

Even if you qualify 15th you could be out. It all depends on where all the other non top 35 qualify. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Mikey qualified 20th or 21st for the Talladega race.

No Mikey really doesn't have much of a chance. I don't want to sound like a broken record but overall he isn't that great of a driver. I'm against him bringing in someone like Bill Elliot, but if they don't start running in some races real soon he has zero chance of ever getting that car into the show. What we are looking at today could happen again next year if the top 35 rule doesn't change.