[PenelopePitStop]

Back to Topic and avoiding Jr. ... Nope! Absolutely not! Yes, Kyle has been tearing it up, but so has Burton. Anyone noticed that?

If I were a car owner, I wouldn't dwell on the drivers who I let go. I'd focus on the drivers in my stable. That's it! HMS will go on ... like it or not!

Shrub doesn't have, nor will he ever have, the following that the HMS drivers have. Does that matter? ... Probably not ... From my perspective, he's secondary to the sport.

I'm ducking ... !

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Back to Topic and avoiding Jr. ... Nope! Absolutely not! Yes, Kyle has been tearing it up, but so has Burton. Anyone noticed that?

If I were a car owner, I wouldn't dwell on the drivers who I let go. I'd focus on the drivers in my stable. That's it! HMS will go on ... like it or not!

Shrub doesn't have, nor will he ever have, the following that the HMS drivers have. Does that matter? ... Probably not ... From my perspective, he's secondary to the sport.

I'm ducking ... !

One question though.

What is more important to you, popularity or talent?

Being marketable, or being a racer??

I don't know that this should be a popularity contest.

I don't like either Bush brother, but they have more talent than most drivers in the field.

I don't care how many diecast my driver sells. To me, this is what is wrong with the sport. The tail is wagging the dog. If Michael Waltrip didn't own his own team, he would be out holding a sign that said "I will race for food".

Same goes for a lot of these drivers.

I honestly don't think we are watching the best 43 drivers every week.

We are watching about 10-12 great drivers, and a bunch of folks who are good, that the company they represent feels can sell thier product.

To argue it as a popularity or "following" to me is arguing the wrong point!

Now I'll duck.

I know this started off as a Mears and Bush question, but it seems to have grown it's own legs!

In the end, HMS let the better driver walk, and it was a mistake. That is my opinion on the whole issue.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

One question though.

What is more important to you, popularity or talent?

Being marketable, or being a racer??

I don't know that this should be a popularity contest.

I don't like either Bush brother, but they have more talent than most drivers in the field.

I don't care how many diecast my driver sells. To me, this is what is wrong with the sport. The tail is wagging the dog. If Michael Waltrip didn't own his own team, he would be out holding a sign that said "I will race for food".

Same goes for a lot of these drivers.

I honestly don't think we are watching the best 43 drivers every week.

We are watching about 10-12 great drivers, and a bunch of folks who are good, that the company they represent feels can sell thier product.

To argue it as a popularity or "following" to me is arguing the wrong point!

Now I'll duck.

I know this started off as a Mears and Bush question, but it seems to have grown it's own legs!

In the end, HMS let the better driver walk, and it was a mistake. That is my opinion on the whole issue.

No need to duck. You bring up some good points.

Of course, as an owner, talent would outweigh popularity. I just don't think that HMS has any regrets. It's just my opinion. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

No need to duck. You bring up some good points.

Of course, as an owner, talent would outweigh popularity. I just don't think that HMS has any regrets. It's just my opinion. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Cool! understood. I guess when ya have Jr, JJ, and Jeff, you think you have enough talent, but to me, I'd have kept all 4. I really think Kyle is coming around.

I have said I'm no fan of his, but I do like how he drives. And that is winning me over!

I'm cool with Mears. I do think he has talent, just not as much as shrub!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Cool! understood. I guess when ya have Jr, JJ, and Jeff, you think you have enough talent, but to me, I'd have kept all 4. I really think Kyle is coming around.

I have said I'm no fan of his, but I do like how he drives. And that is winning me over!

I'm cool with Mears. I do think he has talent, just not as much as shrub!

Don't follow Mears much at all, but I was a big fan of his uncle. Actually, I was a HUGE fan! He was my first ... back in the day.

Funny, isn't it? We go on and on debating personalities when it's the racing that matters ... to me anyway. I can't begin to contemplate what's in the mind of Hendrick. Frankly, I don't really want to.

Overall, I think every Cup driver out there has talent. I just like some more than others.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Don't follow Mears much at all, but I was a big fan of his uncle. Actually, I was a HUGE fan! He was my first ... back in the day.

Funny, isn't it? We go on and on debating personalities when it's the racing that matters ... to me anyway. I can't begin to contemplate what's in the mind of Hendrick. Frankly, I don't really want to.

Overall, I think every Cup driver out there has talent. I just like some more than others.

Very true.

It is the racing that matters. At least to us! That is why we will outlast any sponsors, owners, or drivers that we don't like. We are always here, while they all come and go.

Even at my 40 years old, and going to my first race in 1978, I have seen ton of drivers and owners come and go.

And I'll be here for the next crop of owners, drivers, and sponsors to make thier own dumb calls!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Very true.

It is the racing that matters. At least to us! That is why we will outlast any sponsors, owners, or drivers that we don't like. We are always here, while they all come and go.

Even at my 40 years old, and going to my first race in 1978, I have seen ton of drivers and owners come and go.

And I'll be here for the next crop of owners, drivers, and sponsors to make thier own dumb calls!

Me too! As much as I b*tch about it, I love NASCAR!

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Me too! As much as I b*tch about it, I love NASCAR!

Which is why we all enjoy debating all these issues, and come back for more!