[oncea3fan]

I only listened to it on the radio from half way, did they show the debris that caused the caution after jr. over shot his pit ??? jr. probably just got lucky on that one, cause it was a slow stop and he also only got 2 tires.

[Lefturn]

For a Michigan race I felt it was one of the better ones. Typically it's kind of boring with not alot of action. This race had few cautions, but the racing was pretty close and coverage was better than usual.

I was surprised at the 207mph going into turn one. Alot of these guys were pretty loose going in at that speed - some great saves. It was good to see Vickers and Blaney put in a good result.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I hate to ask this, and I'll probably get reamed for it, but I'm curious.

Is there a reason (other than the obvious) why Busch mentioned the "Troops" in his post-race interview? Was there a relation to the men and woman in the service(s) and today's race?

My guess would be that Kurt is still desperately trying to change his image to being a "good guy" instead of the "idiot" or "punk" many still think he is.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

always a good thing - and there should be the focus each and every time we see/hear/give expression of thanks for those who do/have/are serving. The "Army" car, the "National Guard" car, etc. can never be seen by some as anything other than rolling PR for driver/owner. I join Simon and choose to see more. As for what was in the 2's post race heart, I can't know and didn't/don't really care. It was PR for those who serve and there will never be enough of that.

I agree 100%. I don't care why he done it, he did and thats what counts. Wouldn't hurt if more drivers did the same.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by clutch

RD you failed to mention the best news of the race.......9th place for Bobby Labonte!!!!

no, it was on purpose! actually Bobby's 9th moved him up 2 spots in the points standings to 18th (297 points behind Jr. and 467 out of the Chase!)

Jr. and Tony started in the back and came to the front with Jr gaining 27 total positions to Tony's 25.

And there were some other good finishes, Denny Hamlin (5th) locked in his Chase spot, Kenseth (4th) is close to locking. Carl (7th) inched closer to Tony (10th) but he lost some ground to Jimmy (3rd) who passed Jeff Burton (14th) into 6th in points. Kevin (15) & Clint (17) slipped closer to Kurt and Jr. while maintaining their Chase positions.

Jeff Gordon is locked even though he finished 27th. Gordon said after the race, he's now just looking for the win bonuses, so be prepared for Gordo, Hamlin and Kenseth to be racing for wins not points 'till the Chase. Gordo wants a little breathing room (Jimmy & Tony are too close.) Denny and Matt are loosing ground as Kurt just pushed past them with his 2nd win pushing Denny and Matt down in the seeding to 5th & 6th!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

always a good thing - and there should be the focus each and every time we see/hear/give expression of thanks for those who do/have/are serving. The "Army" car, the "National Guard" car, etc. can never be seen by some as anything other than rolling PR for driver/owner. I join Simon and choose to see more. As for what was in the 2's post race heart, I can't know and didn't/don't really care. It was PR for those who serve and there will never be enough of that.

amen......

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by jks812

I agree 100%. I don't care why he done it, he did and thats what counts. Wouldn't hurt if more drivers did the same.

Exactly what gave me pause. Now, are we going to think less of other drivers who don't mention our soldiers during post-race interviews?

I'm regretting this now. I don't want to get into a debate about how much we all have our soldiers in our hearts, and, for some, our prayers. That's for another forum.

Again, I should have kept my thoughts to myself.

Lesson learned.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Exactly what gave me pause. Now, are we going to think less of other drivers who don't mention our soldiers during post-race interviews?

I'm regretting this now. I don't want to get into a debate about how much we all have our soldiers in our hearts, and, for some, our prayers. That's for another forum.

Again, I should have kept my thoughts to myself.

Lesson learned.

are we going to think less of other drivers who don't mention our soldiers during post-race interviews? - seems a stretch to give credit to those who would lean this way as actually having the experience or ability to achieve "thought". Kinda in the realm of - gee driver x didn't mention the Victory Junction gang. Must hate kids.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

are we going to think less of other drivers who don't mention our soldiers during post-race interviews? - seems a stretch to give credit to those who would lean this way as actually having the experience or ability to achieve "thought". Kinda in the realm of - gee driver x didn't mention the Victory Junction gang. Must hate kids.

Understood.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Exactly what gave me pause. Now, are we going to think less of other drivers who don't mention our soldiers during post-race interviews?

I'm regretting this now. I don't want to get into a debate about how much we all have our soldiers in our hearts, and, for some, our prayers. That's for another forum.

Again, I should have kept my thoughts to myself.

Lesson learned.

Penny, It's not about who said it or even why they said it, it's about what was said. I could care less if it's Kurt Busch trying to make PR points. The main thing is someone said something positive and kind about our soldiers. When you start analyzing the whys and wherefore's and how someone else is gonna react, the message gets lost. The Message IS What's Important, not the analysis.

We have a lot of vets on this forum and speaking as one of them, I know that what every soldier or sailor wants most is to know that the folks back home support them and are thankful these young men and women are defending our freedoms with their lives if need be. It's not whether we love them and care what happens to them, it's that we hold what they are doing for us and our country in the highest regard.

So if a driver wants to make some PR points, that's fine with me. He's doing something positive for our servicemen and women and that's what's important to them. And what's important to them is important to me as well.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Penny, It's not about who said it or even why they said it, it's about what was said. I could care less if it's Kurt Busch trying to make PR points. The main thing is someone said something positive and kind about our soldiers. When you start analyzing the whys and wherefore's and how someone else is gonna react, the message gets lost. The Message IS What's Important, not the analysis.

We have a lot of vets on this forum and speaking as one of them, I know that what every soldier or sailor wants most is to know that the folks back home support them and are thankful these young men and women are defending our freedoms with their lives if need be. It's not whether we love them and care what happens to them, it's that we hold what they are doing for us and our country in the highest regard.

So if a driver wants to make some PR points, that's fine with me. He's doing something positive for our servicemen and women and that's what's important to them. And what's important to them is important to me as well.

I'm at a loss here. I am very well aware of the Vets on this forum. This has evolved into something that was not my intention. The fact that Busch said it has nothing to do with it. I was curious if there was something about the race that was related to our Troops. That's all. Yes, it did come off to me as a PR stunt. Shame on him if that's the case.

For fear of being black-balled, I guess I'll stay away from GTG for a while. I tried to be delicate ... mistake ... I just should have avoided the topic.

Sad.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I'm at a loss here. I am very well aware of the Vets on this forum. This has evolved into something that was not my intention. The fact that Busch said it has nothing to do with it. I was curious if there was something about the race that was related to our Troops. That's all. Yes, it did come off to me as a PR stunt. Shame on him if that's the case.

For fear of being black-balled, I guess I'll stay away from GTG for a while. I tried to be delicate ... mistake ... I just should have avoided the topic.

Sad.

whatever you do, do not stay away.

I apologize of I misunderstood what your intentions were. I just didn't want this to turn into an analysis of why drivers say things.

[Phils20]

Ya gotta stay PPS! I wondered a bit about Kurt saying it, since I hadn't heard it from him before. Nothing wrong with our question at all!

After about 2 seconds of thought, though, I just figured it may have been on his mind for a while, and he hasn't had a lot of camera time this season to say what he wants. These guys get so used to reciting the sponsor mumbo-jumbo, that I'm sure they don't get the things out that are on their minds.

This may have just been his chance to get it out. I'm not a big fan of his, but I'll give him the benefit of any doubt on this one.

You need to stick around though. I haven't read every response to this, but I know that I don't see anything offensive about your question.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Ya gotta stay PPS! I wondered a bit about Kurt saying it, since I hadn't heard it from him before. Nothing wrong with our question at all!

After about 2 seconds of thought, though, I just figured it may have been on his mind for a while, and he hasn't had a lot of camera time this season to say what he wants. These guys get so used to reciting the sponsor mumbo-jumbo, that I'm sure they don't get the things out that are on their minds.

This may have just been his chance to get it out. I'm not a big fan of his, but I'll give him the benefit of any doubt on this one.

You need to stick around though. I haven't read every response to this, but I know that I don't see anything offensive about your question.

Thank you, Phil. I seem to have stirred up emotions. Not my intention.

Nice to hear that someone else wondered about Kurt's comments. I hope you are right in that Kurt used his camera time to express what he felt.

I'm kicking myself in the a$$ this morning.

From now on, I guess I'll keep it "light" when it comes to GTG.

[SpaceCadet]

Were there posts deleted from this thread, because I'm not seeing any posts that I would consider the least bit offensive or any posts that jump on Penny for asking the original question. Having a daughter who was seriously injured in Afghanistan a couple years ago, I appreciate even Kurt Busch mentioning our troops, past, present and future. It's all good, so I guess I'm missing where any controversy lies in this thread. Now, all of you drop and give me ten! Hooaah! (Can't spell it, but you get my drift!)