[Racer Duck]

Watching this week's race, a thought occurred to me. I wrote it down on my "Observations" notepad, but I think it deserves it's own thread.

There are 2 each "Ex's" and "Replacements" at Hendrick Motor Sports in the driver's lounge: Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch represent the "Ex's" while Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. represent the "Replacements."

It appears the "Ex's" are out performing the "Replacements" thus far this season.

If you put Vickers' performance up against Mears' you see that Vickers has an average finish of 14 so far this year against 26.75 for Mears during the same period.

If you put Busch's performance up agains Earnhardt, Jr.'s you see that Busch has an average finish of 5 so far this year against 13.5 for Earnhardt, Jr..

This makes me think Rick Hendrick may not have gotten the benefits (other than financial) he expected. What do you think?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Watching this week's race, a thought occurred to me. I wrote it down on my "Observations" notepad, but I think it deserves it's own thread.

There are 2 each "Ex's" and "Replacements" at Hendrick Motor Sports in the driver's lounge: Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch represent the "Ex's" while Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. represent the "Replacements."

It appears the "Ex's" are out performing the "Replacements" thus far this season.

If you put Vickers' performance up against Mears' you see that Vickers has an average finish of 14 so far this year against 26.75 for Mears during the same period.

If you put Busch's performance up agains Earnhardt, Jr.'s you see that Busch has an average finish of 5 so far this year against 13.5 for Earnhardt, Jr..

This makes me think Rick Hendrick may not have gotten the benefits (other than financial) he expected. What do you think?

Bottom line is $$$$$$$

[Bryan88]

yeah Kyle is running better, but Jr also had a 40th place finish with a top 10 car because of Mears wrecking him. Casey has been bad though.

[Bryan88]

btw I have always looked at it as though Hendrick chose Casey over Kyle (which was stupid), not Jr over Kyle.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

btw I have always looked at it as though Hendrick chose Casey over Kyle (which was stupid), not Jr over Kyle.

certainly a different way of looking at it. but still, Kyle joined HMS as a cup driver a year before Casey and made the Chase his 1st year, Casey didn't. when Jr. became available, Rick had to choose which driver to let go, he chose to replace Kyle with Jr. All the other stuff is PR.

[bob101]

I have nothing against Brian Vickers but he's never going to be a top notch driver in respect to bringing in sponsorship money, and that's a large part of the equation. Watch him on Inside Nextel Cup and he has no personality, drones on, and takes everything too serious. You can't market him.

I've said it before, driving is only half of your responsibility in NASCAR now. Marketing yourself and your sponsors is the other. You could be a good enough driver to finish in the top 20 each week and if your not marketable - forget it and go back to another series.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by bob101

I have nothing against Brian Vickers but he's never going to be a top notch driver in respect to bringing in sponsorship money, and that's a large part of the equation. Watch him on Inside Nextel Cup and he has no personality, drones on, and takes everything too serious. You can't market him.

I've said it before, driving is only half of your responsibility in NASCAR now. Marketing yourself and your sponsors is the other. You could be a good enough driver to finish in the top 20 each week and if your not marketable - forget it and go back to another series.

Once Brian gets some more wins and is more constant you'll see him improve. Take a good look at Jr during an interview. He makes no eye contact with the interviewer or the camera. He has a long way to go before he becomes a good and easy interview.

[bob101]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Once Brian gets some more wins and is more constant you'll see him improve. Take a good look at Jr during an interview. He makes no eye contact with the interviewer or the camera. He has a long way to go before he becomes a good and easy interview.

Jr. is a special case that is outside of everything "normal". Jr. could show up wearing a woman's dress and a rainbow wig and people would love him.

I dunno, Vickers has more TV experience than 90% of the drivers nowdays and he still always comes off as uncomfortable. You either have or it or you don't.

I'm no fan of Hendrick at all. Personally I love to see the day he leaves the sport all together. But the man knows business and how to make money. I know he's probably making more money with Casey in the car riding along back in the 20th spot each week than if Vickers was grabing top 10's. Because Casey fits with those sponsors and Rick knows it.

Why do you think all these teams are drooling over Ricky Carmicheal coming to NASCAR? Why do you think Hendrick is shoveling money to Kenny Schraeder to fund a developmental team for him? Because he comes with his own sponsor and built it market (Monster energy drink). If he can drive good or not will be immaterial, assuming he drives good enough to pass his test.

[wingkey1]

Brian and Kyle have the "fire" that cannot be quenched until they are Top Gun on the team they are with. At HMS, both Top Gun and Wingman positions are claimed/designated.

Casey and Jr will both be satisfied if they can do better than they have so far with previous opportunities. This attitude/drive is a better fit within HMS and if/as such are exactly as desired/needed by the boss.

[thunderfoot]

I hate to say it but my buddy David Gilliland had better get some good finishes or he is going to lose his ride. As much as I like David the numbers are against him on this. What do ya'll say on this? I am sure TY and Q got a view or two.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Brian and Kyle have the "fire" that cannot be quenched until they are Top Gun on the team they are with. At HMS, both Top Gun and Wingman positions are claimed/designated.

Casey and Jr will both be satisfied if they can do better than they have so far with previous opportunities. This attitude/drive is a better fit within HMS and if/as such are exactly as desired/needed by the boss.

That may be true with Casey, but I believe that you are off on Jr. He has the fire to win and compete for championships, he is the top HMS car so far this year. I don't think he signed there so he could be the 3rd best driver, he signed because he thinks they give him the opportunity to be the best.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by thunderfoot

I hate to say it but my buddy David Gilliland had better get some good finishes or he is going to lose his ride. As much as I like David the numbers are against him on this. What do ya'll say on this? I am sure TY and Q got a view or two.

Those two are all over the Yates racing gang.

Great to see you getting some computer time T-foot.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by thunderfoot

I hate to say it but my buddy David Gilliland had better get some good finishes or he is going to lose his ride. As much as I like David the numbers are against him on this. What do ya'll say on this? I am sure TY and Q got a view or two.

I'm with you on that one.... I think he needed more time in a Busch ride..... it really would have done him a world of good. I'm afraid though the pressure is on him now, and it won't help him to perform

BTW, good to see you get to play for a little bit

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I'm with you on that one.... I think he needed more time in a Busch ride..... it really would have done him a world of good. I'm afraid though the pressure is on him now, and it won't help him to perform

BTW, good to see you get to play for a little bit

I said it last year and will continue to believe it. He just isn't ready for a cup ride. I'd still like to see him do well but his lack of experience may be detrimental to his ability to get good rides in the future.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I said it last year and will continue to believe it. He just isn't ready for a cup ride. I'd still like to see him do well but his lack of experience may be detrimental to his ability to get good rides in the future.

I agree, He just isn't winning. Yates ought to get a veteran in that ride like Tony Raines or David Stremme.