[tkj24]

SCENEDAILY - 08:25AM ET MONDAY JULY 2, 2007 - BY SCENEDAILY STAFF REPORT



MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGESLOUDON, N.H. - Who needs Steve Letarte? In the first race without his suspended crew chief, all Jeff Gordon did was finish a close second to Denny Hamlin in Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Sure, Letarte is a big part of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team. But Jeff Meendering filled in nicely at NHIS, and Gordon didn't miss a beat.


"You can take me out of the driver's seat and that car is still going to be competitive out there," Gordon said. "I mean, our teams and our organization are just that good. Yes, we've got a lot of depth and we've got a lot of good people, but I think we've just spent so many years building up the race teams and the organization, that they never revolve around one person.

"And it's not me, it's not the crew chief, it's not a guy hanging bodies at the shop or building the engines; it's everybody's group effort that makes it happen."

Letarte was suspended for six weeks after NASCAR found the front fenders of the No. 24 were altered last week at Infineon Raceway. Chad Knaus, crew chief for teammate Jimmie Johnson, was hit with the same penalty.

"I think it would be shame on us if we lose a person for six weeks and we fall to pieces," Gordon said. "That means that we didn't have a strong enough team to begin with, and I think even Steve Letarte would admit that.

"And I think it's a tribute to his preparation, too. He's built a great team for us and been able to contribute to it, and I think his preparation for those guys coming in allowed them to step in and do their job."

And for Meendering, that was making strategy calls. The team was on the phone with Letarte all weekend, but when it came time to race, Meendering was in charge.

"You can only do so much away from the race track," Gordon said. "You know, sometimes that can get confusing. You've got to have confidence in the person that you put up there on that box, and we have confidence in Jeff.

"Obviously, Steve and him have been in quite a bit of communication throughout the week talking about strategy, talking about setups, and everything leading into this weekend. So I feel like he was well prepped, Jeff was."
__________________

[PenelopePitStop]

I hope I don't get violently corrected for this, but this is a bunch of hooey! Not what Jeff said, but the so-called suspensions. I'd say the same for Jr. In fact, he seemed to do better after his CC was suspended earlier this year. Coincidence?

As one of the commentators said during "Trackside" at Loudon, all the suspensions mean is that the CCs can't go anywhere that requires a NASCAR license. That's it! They can communicate all they want with their teams.

I think it was Kyle who said that these fines and suspensions have no effect on J&J.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I think it was Kyle who said that these fines and suspensions have no effect on J&J.

Oh, I disagree, mon cheri! Their were three teams sans crew chirfs in the race yesterday and didn't you notice? None could finish better than 2nd! Plus 4th. Plus 5th. No wonder jeffy is crying about in injustice of it all!

Maybe, if Dave Blaney could get his crew chief suspended, just maybe he could get into the CHOSEN?

[Nevadastars]

PPS, this is just another travesty in the world of Na$car. The penalties dont mean squat in the grand scheme of things, which is "The Chase". If they want to keep these guys from messing with the CoT, put 'em back on the trailer when they are found illegal before a race and take 100 points away. The whole thing stinks. I've said it before, but this is the only series where you can be found cheating, and still be allowed to compete.............AND ultimately win a race! The 48 last year comes to mind.
Another thing that is a joke, is the fact that a crew chief can become a repeat offender, with no serious punishment. Knaus has been suspended 4 or 5 times in his 6 year stint as CC, but still gets your basic slap on the wrist. It's ironic that 3 of the top 5 finishers Sunday had suspended crew chiefs. Yea, some serious punishment there.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Oh, I disagree, mon cheri! Their were three teams sans crew chirfs in the race yesterday and didn't you notice? None could finish better than 2nd! Plus 4th. Plus 5th. No wonder jeffy is crying about in injustice of it all!

Maybe, if Dave Blaney could get his crew chief suspended, just maybe he could get into the CHOSEN?

I love being referred to as mon cheri! Beyond that, I think you're messing with me!

The sans CC teams did very well. Thus, proving my point!

Your intellect sometimes gets the better of me! I can't judge sarcasm vs. beratement, but I admire it! Are you a Philadelphia Lawyer?

However, I think you and I are agreeing on this particular topic. Am I wrong?

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

PPS, this is just another travesty in the world of Na$car. The penalties dont mean squat in the grand scheme of things, which is "The Chase". If they want to keep these guys from messing with the CoT, put 'em back on the trailer when they are found illegal before a race and take 100 points away. The whole thing stinks. I've said it before, but this is the only series where you can be found cheating, and still be allowed to compete.............AND ultimately win a race! The 48 last year comes to mind.
Another thing that is a joke, is the fact that a crew chief can become a repeat offender, with no serious punishment. Knaus has been suspended 4 or 5 times in his 6 year stint as CC, but still gets your basic slap on the wrist. It's ironic that 3 of the top 5 finishers Sunday had suspended crew chiefs. Yea, some serious punishment there.

Agreed. How frustrating is this? Grrrrrrrrr!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I love being referred to as mon cheri! Beyond that, I think you're messing with me!

Je vous en prie.

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

The sans CC teams did very well. Thus, proving my point!

I made that post, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I can't judge sarcasm vs. beratement, but I admire it! Are you a Philadelphia Lawyer?

Ouch! With extremely rare exceptions the ONLY sarcasm and "castigation" you'll see from me in this forum is toward NA$CAR, it's officials, a few of NASCAR's high-profile characters and the concepts of "Driver fans," "The CHOSEN," and the playoffs.

"Philadelphia Lawyer...???" Egad girl! What did I EVER do to you to warrent such vilification?

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

However, I think you and I are agreeing on this particular topic. Am I wrong?

You assume correctly.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

You assume correctly.

Point well taken.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

PPS, this is just another travesty in the world of Na$car. The penalties dont mean squat in the grand scheme of things, which is "The Chase". If they want to keep these guys from messing with the CoT, put 'em back on the trailer when they are found illegal before a race and take 100 points away. The whole thing stinks. I've said it before, but this is the only series where you can be found cheating, and still be allowed to compete.............AND ultimately win a race! The 48 last year comes to mind.

Dangit Nevada quit bringin up that dang 48 last year.... AHHHHHHHHHHHH...... I need a drink

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Ouch! With extremely rare exceptions the ONLY sarcasm and "castigation" you'll see from me in this forum is toward NA$CAR, it's officials, a few of NASCAR's high-profile characters and the concepts of "Driver fans," "The CHOSEN," and the playoffs.

Jeez, Bob! What else is there?

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

If they want to keep these guys from messing with the CoT, put 'em back on the trailer when they are found illegal before a race and take 100 points away.

You know NV, that'd be fine by me, believe it or not. Many feel NASCAR is being more stingy with rule enforcement now, but that may not be so. I once brought up a story about "master of the gray area" Smokey Yunick that is very similar to what we're seeing happen today. Smokey was always bending the rules and working in the "gray area" that's giving NASCAR fits right now, and one day in '66 or '67 NASCAR inspectors found so many questionable areas (for lack of a better term) on his car that they just told him to get the hell out, although he hadn't directly broken a rule. So he drove out of the garage, albeit with the gas tank still on the ground behind him. (that damn Smokey Yunick!).

Anyway, aside from an interesting story, it's always been clear that teams are using NASCAR's ball in their backyard. They're saying that COT infractions won't be tolerated so why not pull the trigger and send em home like they have in the past? It's easy to stay consistant and it certainly is the best way to stop the maddness that's quite frankly driving me nuts.

[Pepsi One]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

You know NV, that'd be fine by me, believe it or not. Many feel NASCAR is being more stingy with rule enforcement now, but that may not be so. I once brought up a story about "master of the gray area" Smokey Yunick that is very similar to what we're seeing happen today. Smokey was always bending the rules and working in the "gray area" that's giving NASCAR fits right now, and one day in '66 or '67 NASCAR inspectors found so many questionable areas (for lack of a better term) on his car that they just told him to get the hell out, although he hadn't directly broken a rule. So he drove out of the garage, albeit with the gas tank still on the ground behind him. (that damn Smokey Yunick!).

Anyway, aside from an interesting story, it's always been clear that teams are using NASCAR's ball in their backyard. They're saying that COT infractions won't be tolerated so why not pull the trigger and send em home like they have in the past? It's easy to stay consistant and it certainly is the best way to stop the maddness that's quite frankly driving me nuts.

Rating...ratings...ratings...Send Junior home...are you kidding...how many would watch the race...and imagine if Gordon is your favorite driver and you purchased your family of four tickets to the Daytona 500 spent all that loot only to be told your driver wont be there....please Nascar would be stupid to even try anything like that!

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

Rating...ratings...ratings...Send Junior home...are you kidding...how many would watch the race...and imagine if Gordon is your favorite driver and you purchased your family of four tickets to the Daytona 500 spent all that loot only to be told your driver wont be there....please Nascar would be stupid to even try anything like that!

Seems to me that it isn't any different when you spent all the $$$'s and your favorite driver is knocked out of the race in the first turn of the first lap because of some bone-headed move by another. And to add insult to injury, sit and watch the race to see one of the cheaters win!!

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

Rating...ratings...ratings...Send Junior home...are you kidding...how many would watch the race...and imagine if Gordon is your favorite driver and you purchased your family of four tickets to the Daytona 500 spent all that loot only to be told your driver wont be there....please Nascar would be stupid to even try anything like that!

Well, how about this... if we can't send guys home, can we at least force them to park for the first couple of laps as a penalty?

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, how about this... if we can't send guys home, can we at least force them to park for the first couple of laps as a penalty?

I think that's more acceptable than sending them home. As much as I'd like to see a message sent by saying "see ya" to the cheating teams, I have to look at it from an average fan's objective. If we had just dropped a grand or more to take my son to a race only to get there and find out his favorite driver wasn't racing, he'd be very upset and the trip for him would be ruined. He's only 12, and while he may understand the need to penalize dishonesty, he' still be mighty disappointed. As an adult, I would obviously get over it and enjoy the race. But many die hard, one driver only fans would be up in arms if they paid to see "their" driver and he wasn't driving. Putting then a few laps down may send a needed message and still allow the fans to see "their" driver.