[Racer Duck]

I finally got the old word processor fired up and humming again so thought I'd better start getting my "Observations" together and posted 'cause a number of folks have been askin' about 'em. For the new folks, this is something I started doing after every Cup race last year and it must have hit a nerve or something 'cause some folks got hooked on it just like morning coffee. But this ain't a race recap .. just some things I saw/heard/thought during the race that caught my attention - some I have an opinion on and others not. So, let's get started!

The National Anthem: I wasn't in the room with the TV while it was being sung, but I did hear it. Don't know who the singer was, but I'm overjoyed that someone finally has sung the song for a NASCAR event that stayed true to the way it was written. All so often the "artists" must feel they are in some kind of competition to see who can embellish it the most when it's sufficient as written. These are probably the same people that believe the Constitution is a "living document" instead of a "foundational document" - there is a difference and it's important we remember the differences. Embellishing the National Anthem is akin to sewing flowers on the US Flag and it's arrogant to believe the great preponderance of US citizens endorse this action. The fact that there is no law prohibiting such action should be enough to show how highly Freedom of Speech was held by our forefathers. And yet this song, written while a battle raged after a night of artery bombardment, clearly identifies the thrill, awe and reverence experienced by the songwriter upon seeing the Flag still proudly waving that morning and has survived so many generations and stood as a point of pride for this young and most blessed nation. The World knows our Anthem. Only a few over the course of time can make that claim. Bravo to those who perform our National Anthem with reverence and as it was written and approved by the Congress of the United States of America. To desecrate anything that represents this nation by personal embellishment only shows disdain for those who fought for the freedom that allows them to do so. They are honoring themselves rather than the nation which it represents.

Sorry to spend so much time on this, but it's something that's been causing major irritations to me and many of the "silent" majority. I, for one, am no longer silent. Perform it right, or don't perform it at all!

Gene Ward Elementary School - Kid's Questions: most were obviously not written by the kids .. you knew that because kids that age don't talk like that. I thought the best of the ones not written by a kid was: "Do you think Rick Hendrick has seller's remorse?" I was also pleased to see Kyle in "civies" rather than a driving suit - when you see a driver in a driving suit, just remember, they are working (the suit is a billboard ya know!) I was also pleased to see Kyle cutting up with the kids - it was obvious he was having a good time and so were the kids.

"Rowdy" is now "the Wild Thing" Those pre-race announcers are trying too hard.

Was Chris Berman "on" something? He was starting to get obnoxious by the time the race started.

Smoke and Carrot Top - Beautiful Locks? I think Smoke's hair is almost as long at Carrot's, but it's hard to tell... Maybe the wreck was a omen not to have the red haired one hanging around?

Flu has Kasey, but Kasey flew anyway! Don't know what meds Kasey had, but I want some! I know when ole "Flu" has me, I ain't worth spit. But Kasey put himself in or near the front all day, even when he was a lap down he just ran away from the leaders on the restart! Good Race, Kasey!!! (Ya think Kasey might be back?)

Commercials:

• "turn left and enjoy Budweiser" - showing a hand unscrewing a bottle top (to the left...)
• "desperate housewives have Kasey doing flips" - these gals are dangersous .. now they have Kasey doing acrobatic dancing!!! they even interrupt perfectly boring commercials!!!

Kenseth's camouflage didn't work, Gordo found him anyway! Did ya notice Matt's red and blue paint job? Had me confused all race. Evidently Gordo was having a hard time seeing him also cause he drove right into him on that prelude to the wreck restart.

Speaking of wrecks... did ya notice that when Hornish wrecked he left part of his brake rotor on the track? NASCAR saw it, lots of drivers mentioned it on the radio. But NASCAR chose to withhold the yellow flag until all the in progress pit stops had completed and everyone had had a chance to "cycle thru"... Thing is, the race leader (Edwards) and some others of the lead pack were in the pits and would have went a lap down had NASCAR thrown a yellow at that time. 'Course everyone knows a piece of rubber hose is much more lethal to a driver and race car than a hunk of steel .. "Keep the Green out!"

On the radio:

• after Hornish's wreck, Mark told his spotter to relay a message to Scott Riggs: "be patient, there is a wreck waiting to happen up there."
• Mark & DJ:
  • Mark sends his spotter to DJ's spotter to let him know he's gonna be passing him soon (DJ was a lap down.) when the spotter didn't get back to him, Mark asks what's taking so long. his spotter responds: "there's a line .. I'm up to 4th now .. patience, I'm getting there." (Seems there were lots of folks lined up trying to get DJ's attention...)
  • After Mark passes him, DJ runs into the back of Mark's car. when the 66 & 70 spin, Mark's cussin' DJ: "he won't pick a lane..." (I think Mark even uttered one or two "banned" four letter words!!!) the TV announcers say Mark is "cranky"...
  • on the restart at 77 to go, Mark finds himself behind DJ again .. this time DJ moves out of the way .. gave Mark "lots of room"...

13 mph slower in the corners - did ya hear that Gordo told Krista Voda the CON is slower in the corners than the "old" car by 13 mph? must be they're having trouble making the old car setups work on the CON... all I can say is "duh!"

Anybody seen Knaus? guess the cheater left his bag-o-tricks at Fontana. the only time anybody saw the 48 was when it was being lapped... about fell outta my recliner when they said Knaus told JJ after halfway that from then on their pit stops would be "practice sessions"!!!

"FORD Ain't Dead!" - The Cat In The Hat: guess all that 'Yota and Dodge focus riled up the Cat in the Hat.

Judgement Call: I think the headline ought to read "NASCAR GIVES EDWARDS WIN!" Don't get me wrong, I believe Carl definitely had the best car and deserved the win. But, "RULES ARE RULES" and the rule states if a pit crew allows a tire/wheel to get away and cross pit road during a pit stop, the car must restart at the end of the longest line. The only exception is when another competitor causes the tire/wheel to take "get away." Also, the crew chief & pit crew are responsible for keeping non-essential personnel out of the way in their pits. It wasn't the photographer's fault the tire carrier sent the tire to the wall directly in front of him, nor that the behind the wall guy couldn't get to the tire before it bounced off the wall and rolled out into pit road. Interference or not, it was the crew chief and pit crew's responsibility to maintain a clear working space in their pit - They did not. It was the tire carrier's job to get the tire to the pit wall where the behind the wall guy could get it - He did not. The crew chief and the pit crew lost the race for Edwards. But NASCAR gave it back to him.

It's becoming more and more clear what many are saying on this forum and what Robby Gordon is publicly claiming is true: NASCAR isn't interested in the small independent teams, their only interest is in the multi-million dollar, multi car mega teams. Their interpretation of the rules and execution of penalties for breaking those rules makes it clear where their "soul" lies.

Robby Gordon: I've purposefully saved this for last. It was announced before the race that should Robby's appeal of his pre-Daytona 500 penalty fail, he will no longer focus on competing in NASCAR, but will instead turn his attention elsewhere. One such item is the Indy 500-World 600 same day competition. While I will be thrilled to cheer for Robby (or any other driver attempting that feat), I will also be sad to see Robby turn his focus away from NASCAR. Robby is one of the few drivers in NASCAR who regularly competes in other series, in different types of events than those in NASCAR. And Robby has been successful in all of them.

Whether NASCAR will admit it or not, they need drivers like Robby Gordon and Ken Shrader and Tony Stewart. Yes, Robby's outspoken, and yes he's fiery, and he's one of those drivers you cannot ignore .. he won't let you. But then racing has always been about a difference of opinion (who is fastest.) When you only allow those who fit your mold to compete, you cheapen your competition. How can NASCAR claim to have the best drivers in the world when their filter only evaluates the bank account of the driver and his team and the souvenir income to be derived from them?

[LSC9901]

Since you brought up the Robbie Gordon issue in your always eagerly anticipated race report, I thought I might respond. The loose tire problem in the 99 pit may well (I hope) bite NASCAR right in the proverbial keester. How can NASCAR overlook this rule yet come down on Robbie Gordon ? I suppose in their infinite wisdom and secret rule book they can do just as they please. I hope Robbie sites this example when he argues his case.

I'm still excited about this season with the full time use of the new car, all the driver changes, but once again it seems like the governing body is blatantly trying to destroy the little guy.

[wardfan]

RD I'm with you on the national anthem & how good a job the singer did. I don't know who she is but she sounded British. How embarrsing is that. The only time it sounds any better being sung is when the kids do it. They do it once a year, at what race I don't remember, but they do their best and its not a bogus "all about me" If my geezer memory serves me here I think it was Whitney Houston who first embellished the anthem at a super bowl game. I remember it was done brillantly but now everybody since then has lost sight of the purpose of the song.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by wardfan

I don't know who she is but she sounded British. How embarrsing is that.

Not sure that she was but that annoying track ammouncer was British and he introduced her. He sounded like that Mr Leach from lifestyles of the rich and famous.....yuck

[clutch]

Racer Duck, great job on your Vegas observations....as always!!

I totally agree (as a foreigner) with your views on the anthem. The lady did a great job.

Regarding the Hornish wreck, I believe that it warranted a yellow flag. Normally it would have, but because the leaders were doing green stops they let this influence their call. Yellow flags are there for a reason.

And I hope the tire incident comes back to bite Nascar on the Butt.

Edwards should expect a big penalty this week I surmise

But the big story of the day........and much overlooked........
Ken Schrader in the 49 BAM car finishing 21st and on the lead lap!!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by clutch

Racer Duck, great job on your Vegas observations....as always!!

I totally agree (as a foreigner) with your views on the anthem. The lady did a great job.

Regarding the Hornish wreck, I believe that it warranted a yellow flag. Normally it would have, but because the leaders were doing green stops they let this influence their call. Yellow flags are there for a reason.

And I hope the tire incident comes back to bite Nascar on the Butt.

Edwards should expect a big penalty this week I surmise

But the big story of the day........and much overlooked........
Ken Schrader in the 49 BAM car finishing 21st and on the lead lap!!

ok, I'll put that beside the unsponsored #28 with Mr. Kvapil at the wheel pulling down an 8th place from a 29th place start for Yates.

Now that Wood Bros seem to have Bill wrapped up, Kenny is needing a good ride and BAM is one of the better small teams.

I'm happy for all of them!!!

[PenelopePitStop]

Yippee! Yippee! It's back! Love it! Love it!

Killed me how much attention "The Wild Thing" got. Not by you, but by the media. Was/is this solely because of his being booted from Hendrick? Hendrick drivers, past and present, get far too much attention! Yes, yes ... even my Baby Dale.

One thing I noticed that you didn't mention was how hard those who wrecked hit the wall. Tony was obviously hurt. He's ok, but he did say that it was one of the hardest hits he's had. So did Gordon. I was surprised by that.

From what I've seen this year, the COT, or whatever you call it these days, has been pretty impressive. I've seen cars that were sideways, and were able to straighten out. I've seen wrecks that should have caused several cars to be involved, but there were only one or two. Tony blew a tire. Gordon went up the track. Not sure what happened to Evil Busch. All were some pretty hard hits, even with the softer barriers.

What are your thought on that?




http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb113&pp=ZN

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Yippee! Yippee! It's back! Love it! Love it!

Killed me how much attention "The Wild Thing" got. Not by you, but by the media. Was/is this solely because of his being booted from Hendrick? Hendrick drivers, past and present, get far too much attention! Yes, yes ... even my Baby Dale.

One thing I noticed that you didn't mention was how hard those who wrecked hit the wall. Tony was obviously hurt. He's ok, but he did say that it was one of the hardest hits he's had. So did Gordon. I was surprised by that.

From what I've seen this year, the COT, or whatever you call it these days, has been pretty impressive. I've seen cars that were sideways, and were able to straighten out. I've seen wrecks that should have caused several cars to be involved, but there were only one or two. Tony blew a tire. Gordon went up the track. Not sure what happened to Evil Busch. All were some pretty hard hits, even with the softer barriers.

What are your thought on that?




http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb113&pp=ZN

Thanks Penny. I'm glad you're pleased.

re: the hard hits. my thought is that the old car had a "crumple" factor built in and the CON doesn't. Kurt and Smoke had similar problems that caused their wrecks and they both hit the wall about the same. If you remember, when Tony hit the wall the car sort of hit into the wall, but little happened (visibly) except the crunching of the RF fender, to the car. The wall took the total impact and the car did little in the "crumple" department to absorb the impact. That's gonna give the driver a severe jolt. Everyone has been lauding the CON as being a super strong car, able to "take a licking and keep on ticking" (to quote a well known watch brand's slogan). And that may be it's Achilles heel: it doesn't protect the driver from severe impacts as much as the old car.

Gordo's on the other hand was not into the "Safer Barrier", but a bare wall. And he hit it square on, not a side impact like Kurt and Tony's. Those kind are gonna ring your bell and they're gonna hurt (at least where the belts absorbed the full weight of the body in a high G impact.) I'd bet your paycheck Jeffie's got some terrific bruises on his body right now (I never bet my own money anymore .. I always loose when I do )

[WestCoast]

Sadly it takes a big name to have an accident or worse, prior to Nascar or track owners doing something about it.
___________________________________________
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Team owner Rick Hendrick thinks NASCAR should not return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway until the retaining wall Jeff Gordon slammed into is improved.
Special barriers are located in the outside walls at Las Vegas. But the track did not install them along the inside wall, which the four-time NASCAR champion hit in the closing laps Sunday. The force was so violent Gordon’s entire transmission was ripped from under the hood.
"If the teams are asked to spend $8 million a piece for a car that is a little bit safer, then we need to fix the damn walls at the track," Hendrick told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "That ought to be priority No. 1, and if the tracks don’t have the walls, then we shouldn’t race there."
Track officials said owner Bruton Smith was assessing the walls and anticipated SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers installed along the inside before the Truck Series race there in September.

"We would not do anything to the walls without first going to NASCAR, but Bruton has said to me we will take immediate action here before we have another NASCAR event," track president Chris Powell told the AP.

SAFER barriers were invented during a safety overhaul that resulted from the 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt. The walls were developed by Dr. Dean Sicking at the University of Nebraska and are currently installed in some form at every track used by NASCAR’s top series

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Gordo's on the other hand was not into the "Safer Barrier", but a bare wall. And he hit it square on, not a side impact like Kurt and Tony's. Those kind are gonna ring your bell and they're gonna hurt (at least where the belts absorbed the full weight of the body in a high G impact.) I'd bet your paycheck Jeffie's got some terrific bruises on his body right now (I never bet my own money anymore .. I always loose when I do )

Yes, I saw Jeffie Poo on NASCAR Now. The wall he hit did not have the "safer barrier", thus the hard hit. Additionally, he hit in an "odd" place on the track. Entrance/exit for the emergency crews.

Though Gordon whined about it, I think this may affect change. Safety, that is. And that's a good thing. I don't really like Hendrick getting all up in your face about it because his Golden Child got a few bruises. The track has probably been that way for years, but now, Hendrick's got his undies in a knot. Frankly, it could have been anyone. Tony hit the "safer barrier", and was still obviously hurt. I don't hear Gibbs jumping up and down saying that the "safer" walls aren't "safe" enough and/or that NASCAR shouldn't return to Vegas.

Jeffie said something like, "Three years ago, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you." Some analysts said that Gordon would be in the hospital recoverying right now. All in all, nobody was seriously hurt. Safety has improved. Tony just needs a big-a$$ adjustment from the Chiro, and he'll be fine.

I'm rambling ... I know ... I'm sorry ...

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Though Gordon whined about it, I think this may affect change. Safety, that is. And that's a good thing. I don't really like Hendrick getting all up in your face about it because his Golden Child got a few bruises. The track has probably been that way for years, but now, Hendrick's got his undies in a knot. Frankly, it could have been anyone. Tony hit the "safer barrier", and was still obviously hurt. I don't hear Gibbs jumping up and down saying that the "safer" walls aren't "safe" enough and/or that NASCAR shouldn't return to Vegas.

Jeffie said something like, "Three years ago, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you." Some analysts said that Gordon would be in the hospital recoverying right now. All in all, nobody was seriously hurt. Safety has improved. Tony just needs a big-a$$ adjustment from the Chiro, and he'll be fine.

OMG, "whined" about it? Golden child? We're talking about life here, even though it's "only" Jeff Gordon's. I think not only Hendrick but all of the owner's should be all over this like white on rice! Are you kidding me? Those SAFER barrier's can, and have, meant life or death! Honestly, "a few bruises?" Would it have made a difference if he had been killed? If not for the type of seat in that car, he may have been. I don't get where Gordon or anyone else "whined" about this accident. I'm not a huge Hendrick fan, but I for one think it's about time somebody opened their mouths. I say shame on the other owner's if they don't jump on this bandwagon. Gibbs has not got as much to gripe aboout because Tony hit the barrier. There are going to be injuries in auto racing, barrier or not. But Gordon hit a cement wall! Did you see the carnage? Yes, it could have been anyone, and that's the point. There is strength in numbers - these owners and sponser's, the guy's with the money, should band together. We have the technology to fix these tracks, so do it or we don't race. Do we need to lose another driver like we lost Dale Sr. before we get upset? Having personal experience with a protected wall (small tracks use foam blocks, in this case) or just a plain old concrete or metal wall, I think this is one of the most important safety issues in auto racing. Believe me, you don't want to hit an "unprotected" wall.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

The wall took the total impact and the car did little in the "crumple" department to absorb the impact. That's gonna give the driver a severe jolt. Everyone has been lauding the CON as being a super strong car, able to "take a licking and keep on ticking" (to quote a well known watch brand's slogan). And that may be it's Achilles heel: it doesn't protect the driver from severe impacts as much as the old car.

For me, that sums up why I'm not a fan of the CON. You can add all the padding you want, but if it's the driver and not the car absorbing the impact, you haven't improved much. Maybe it's even worse. Racing may be more exciting or whatever, but I don't find those cars too exciting when they hit the wall. It's just nauseating.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

OMG, "whined" about it? Golden child? We're talking about life here, even though it's "only" Jeff Gordon's. I think not only Hendrick but all of the owner's should be all over this like white on rice! Are you kidding me? Those SAFER barrier's can, and have, meant life or death! Honestly, "a few bruises?" Would it have made a difference if he had been killed? If not for the type of seat in that car, he may have been. I don't get where Gordon or anyone else "whined" about this accident. I'm not a huge Hendrick fan, but I for one think it's about time somebody opened their mouths. I say shame on the other owner's if they don't jump on this bandwagon. Gibbs has not got as much to gripe aboout because Tony hit the barrier. There are going to be injuries in auto racing, barrier or not. But Gordon hit a cement wall! Did you see the carnage? Yes, it could have been anyone, and that's the point. There is strength in numbers - these owners and sponser's, the guy's with the money, should band together. We have the technology to fix these tracks, so do it or we don't race. Do we need to lose another driver like we lost Dale Sr. before we get upset? Having personal experience with a protected wall (small tracks use foam blocks, in this case) or just a plain old concrete or metal wall, I think this is one of the most important safety issues in auto racing. Believe me, you don't want to hit an "unprotected" wall.

I understand what you're saying. And I agree with it. But if Gordon had not hit that wall Sunday, would Hendrick be saying that they shouldn't go back to Vegas and race til it was fixed? No he wouldn't. They have been racing there for years with the wall like that. So if you want the inside walls to be safer, why wait til one of your drivers hit it to complain about it?

[Phils20]

If Jr had said it, folks would be saying he is a "chip of fthe old block, standing up for drivers rights".

I think the posts accusing Jeff of whining are just plain sad. When your radiator is in the middle of the track, and your transmission is ripped out, leaving a hole in the floor, I think you have to speak out.

If not the one most damaged by the accident, then who?

Folks know I'm no Gordon fan, but this is just sad.

I guess if he had a toe tag on today, instead of bumps and bruises, we wound't ask for change????

I guess losses like Petty, Irwin, Roper, and that of "The Man" himself, and the changes they helped bring about, shoudn't apply to Jeff.


WOW. How sad that folks dislike of him blind them to the damage that car went though.

Who but Hendrick should speak out, when it was his car that was destroyed????

And who but Gordon, the driver of that car, should speak out????

I know, maybe Jack Roush should have said it, and Matt Kenseth.

That would make a lot of sense....

I'm dissapointed at the views expressed here.

I hope to NEVER see another ambulance hauling a driver out, and if it takes drivers "whining" to bring about change, I just wish Bobby Labonte would take a stand and say it. Someone sure had to. I don't think any track should have those turn ins set up that way.

Future generations of drivers would thank him for it.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I don't think any track should have those turn ins set up that way.

I agree 100% with that. And that was my point, why wait til your driver hits that spot to complain about it? They all know it would be dangerous, heck even we know it. If as you put it, Jeff had a toe tag on this morning, Hendrick would be saying " I should have said something sooner". Why wait and take a chance on it getting to that point?
I'm not saying they shouldn't be complaining, they all should be. I just said if Jeff hadn't hit that wall would Hendrick now be saying they shouldn't be racing there. And I don't think he would, he hadn't in all the years they've been there. So if they hadn't in all this time, why expect others to stand up and agree with them when their driver hadn't hit it yet.
What I think is sad about the whole thing is that it takes the possibility of serious injury or worse for anybody to complain about something that already should have been changed.