Official NASCAR Thread

[kk9fan97]

and NASCAR has been inconsistent again.... they have fined driver/owner Tony Stewart $35,000 for his comments yesterday about loose lug nuts... So I guess that is Stewart's welcome back present from NASCAR.....

 

I like how they fined him for that but did not fine him when he roasted Brian France at pre-season media day in January and also that they did not fine Kyle Busch for the comments on his radio after the Auto Club Speedway race about NASCAR being fixed....

 

- https://twitter.com/JennaFryer/status/723259554637688834

 

Stewart's comments about loose lug nuts - http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article72945487.html

[theGTAking101]

Brian France is just taking what his grandfather built and is turning it into a complete joke. Everyone's been saying this for years but apparently he doesn't care about doing things that the fans and drivers want.

 

It's also really stupid to fine someone for stating their opinion, especially when Tony is just looking out for the safety.

[kk9fan97]

the Drivers Council has released a statement on Tony Stewart's fine and says they will help him in paying it -

 

http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/04/21/sprint-cup-driver-council-supports-tony-stewart-will-pay-his-fine/

 

the drivers on the drivers council are -

 

- Tony Stewart

- Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

- Jimmie Johnson

- Kyle Busch

- Kevin Harvick

- Denny Hamlin

- Brad Keselowski

- Joey Logano

- Kyle Larson

[kk9fan97]

Patrick Carpentier is coming out of retirement and is going to drive the #32 Ford for Go Fas Racing in the Sprint Cup Series at Sonoma and Indianapolis -

 

- http://www.catchfence.com/2016/sprintcup/04/22/patrick-carpentier-set-to-appear-in-two-upcoming-nascar-sprint-cup-series-races/?utm_campaign=twitter_tweet&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

 

 

qualifying got cancelled today due to rain. the starting lineup as set by practice speeds and as a result Kevin Harvick will start from the pole, and #98 Cole Whitt DNQ's

[kk9fan97]

So Junior won the Xfinity Series race yesterday. The first time he has ever won in his own equipment (it's technically the second time though - when he won at Daytona in July 2010 in the #3 car it was a combined effort of RCR and JR Motorsports).

 

It took less than 20 seconds into the pre-race show on FOX for Darrell Waltrip to completely jump over/interrupt Jeff Gordon. I know I have said it a few times this season, but Daytona in July can't come fast enough so NBC/NBCSN can take over for FOX.

[theGTAking101]

- Good news for Jr. fans, Amelia will return for Talladega!

 

- Looks like Michael Waltrip will be driving Premium's 55 car, I'm glad he can still race at these tracks.

[kk9fan97]

- Good news for Jr. fans, Amelia will return for Talladega!

 

- Looks like Michael Waltrip will be driving Premium's 55 car, I'm glad he can still race at these tracks.

He has to qualify on time first because there are 41 cars entered and that's going to be hard for him to do with the fact that the #55 is so slow every week it's basically a moving chicane.

[theGTAking101]

Well it is Talladega, anything's possible. My money is on either Whitt or Gilliland to go home.

[Ex Hellraiser]

So, Ty Dillon is going to qualify the car for Tony Stewart. Ty Dillon is going to take over for Stewart at some point in the race (could be as soon as possible) and will finish it.

 

And Stewart will get credit for it...

 

I've never had much problem with this rule, but considering it has never been applied for a possible Chase situation yet, I don't know about it. If Ty manages to win Sunday, and that be Stewart's only "win" this season, and he manages to crack the top 30, how should NASCAR go about it? Because Stewart would be credited with the win, but he wouldn't be the actual driver of the car at the time. How should NASCAR go about Tony's Chase qualification if his only win is one that wasn't actually gained with him driving the car?

 

This whole "win and you're in" thing would be even more of a pile of crap if Tony qualifies for the Chase with Ty in the driver seat. It won't even be a "win and you're in" thing, it will be a "get someone else to win for you and you're in" thing.

[theGTAking101]

It would be such BS if that would be Tony's only "win" of the season and he gets in the chase from it then goes on to win the championship. But I guess missing nearly half the season and winning the championship like Kyle did is BS as well, so I'm ok with it happening this year. It could teach NASCAR a lesson about how retarded this format is. Plus I love Tony so I legitimately want this to happen.

 

I saw a good idea on Reddit a few minutes ago, that whoever runs the most laps in the car during the race gets credited with the points and finishing position.

[kk9fan97]

The ARCA race from Talladega airs live tonight on FS1 at 6pm EST and there are some NASCAR drivers running in this race -

 

#05 John Wes Townley

#55 Dalton Sargent

#48 Sean Corr

#59 Korbin Forrister

#5 Bobby Gerhart

#52 Matt Kurzejewski is driving for Kenny Schrader

#02 Andy Seuss

#58 Kyle Weatherman

Edited April 29, 2016 by kk9fan97

[kk9fan97]

got home from work just in time to see the start of the Xfinity Series race....

 

 

NASCAR is taking the no push drafting in Xfinity Series rule seriously. Around Lap 10, they black flagged Brendan Gaughan and Aric Almirola for it and made them do drive through penalties.

 

that whole rule is kind of dumb especially where they penalize the driver being pushed. If they want to penalize for that it should just be forthe driver doing the pushing, and not the one being pushed.

 

 

edit: Chase Elliott is now 2 for 2 in winning poles at the restrictor plate tracks, he won the pole for the Cup Series race tomorrow. #30 Josh Wise failed to qualify.

Edited April 30, 2016 by kk9fan97

[Ex Hellraiser]

Umm... What just happened.

[kk9fan97]

Umm... What just happened.

 

NASCAR at their finest. Apparently the rule about maintaining speed does not matter. Sadler did not maintain speed and as a result Allgaier should have won since he was ahead of Poole at the moment of caution.

 

Logano is such an idiot. All he seems to know how to do in the Xfinity Restrictor plate races is get in and cause huge wrecks.

 

and that is why at that point, that close to the finish line they need to not throw the caution unless a car goes upside down or into the catchfence.

 

 

that call right there, ranks up there with the incredibly dumb call that gave Tony Stewart the win in the 2008 fall race at Talladega after Regan Smith beat him to the line after Stewart clearly forced him below the line

 

 

edit: and that is why Fox, you don't tape interviews and then try and pass them off as live. the Jeremy Clements interview was clearly done before NASCAR handed the win to Sadler.

Edited April 30, 2016 by kk9fan97

[Ex Hellraiser]

Within 1/4 mile of the finish line, a caution is literally pointless. The cars are still going to be going 195 across the line, and emergency crews still won't be able to get to them any faster. The only thing it does is rig the finish to whomever they see fit.

That was the fastest caution flag thrown this entire year. You would never see a flag thrown that quickly in any other situation. Guarantee someone had their finger on a button in some office and was under order to press it the instant a car turned even a couple degrees from straight. They say they throw cautions like that on the last lap for the safety of the drivers, but there isn't a damn thing a little yellow light blurring by is going to do 200 feet from the finish line.

[kk9fan97]

that's not even the first time that has happened in that race. A couple of years ago they screwed Kasey Kahne out of the win when they thew the caution in the exact same spot comng to the checkers. Had they left it alone Kahne would have won the race, but instead Regan Smith got handed the win.

 

 

 

 

edit: I just thought of another one. 2007 Daytona 500. They let Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick race to the line when a wrek broke out 200 feet from the finish line. Clint Bowyer ended up uside down and while upside down got hit by Boris Said before rolling back on all 4 wheels on fire. They let that one go, but for some reason could not let the 2013 Talladega Xfinity Series race, nor today's race finish under green.

 

 

there was also no need for that late debris caution, the debris was below the double yellow line where no one runs, but yet NASCAR had to put the caution out. Oh and on the same lap that the #78 blew up on today, the #13 of John Jackson wrecked in turn 3 and both NASCAR and FOX completely missed it desite him ending up in the inside wall. They can see a tiny piece of debris from a mile away, but for whatever reason can't see a 3,400 pound car crashing.

 

I think it is about time that NASCAR clears out race control in Trucks, Xfinity and Cup and put new people in it, IndyCar did that a couple of years ago when they kicked Brian Barnhart out of race control (he's back now, but does not make any of the decisions) and for the most part the stupid calls/penalties in that series are gone.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kk9fan97

[Ex Hellraiser]

That finish with Kasey was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the race today. Throwing the caution before they get to the finish line in situations like this do absolutely nothing to enhance the safety of the racing for anyone. Nobody is going to slow down for the caution. If they are going to slow down, it will be to avoid the wreck, which is common f*cking sense and should be taken into account regardless of when the crash is, whether lap 2 or lap 200. They literally made up whatever rules they wanted to apply in this situation to fit their agenda.

[theGTAking101]

I love Sadler and all, and I was actually cheering for him near the end of the race, but man this is f*cked up. It makes me laugh seeing people saying that the caution was necessary. Whether they throw the caution or not has zero impact on the crash. If they would've stayed green, the wreck wouldn't have been any bigger.

 

By this logic, Martin won the 07 500 instead of Harvick.

 

On a side note, I'm impressed with Logano for not crying about the finish saying Sadler purposely wrecked him. He got what he deserved by blocking, this is just like Edwards and Busch in the 2009 Talladega and Daytona races when the got wrecked in the tri-oval.

 

One more thing I thought of. When Jeb Burton "crashed", they didn't need a caution there either. He saved the car. NASCAR is way too trigger happy with their cautions. They should at least wait to see if he actually wrecks to throw the caution. Even if he did spin though, he was in the back of the pack and out of harm's way.

Edited May 1, 2016 by theGTAking101

[kk9fan97]

The Jeb Burton caution was kind of warranted seeing as he was spinning towards pit road and he was middle of the pack.

 

The Carl Edwards crash in 2009 is a direct result of another bad call by NASCAR - In the 2008 fall race they took the win away from Regan Smith and gave it to Tony Stewart because Smith passed Stewart below the double yellow lines, even though it was a legit pass because Stewart clearly forced him down there. Fast forward to the Spring ng 2009 race and in the exact same spot on the track Edwards tried to block Keselowski, Keselowski held his line, and Edwards wound up on top of Newman's car and then into the catchfence, because Keselowski knew NASCAR would penalize him for passing below the double yellow lines.

 

They should have let them race to line today, seeing as (and already pointed out) it's not like the track crews would have gotten to the #11 and #22 cars any quicker anyways.

[theGTAking101]

I'm still mad about the 2008 fall race. If you wanna talk more about inconsistency, look at Dale in 2003, he was forced below the line and it was still considered a clean pass. But here it was pretty obvious Tony forced him below and they still penalized him.

 

NASCAR needs to come up with one set rule and stick to it.

[kk9fan97]

welp, Stewart caused he caution he needed for both the driver change and lucky dog. Caused Junior to lose it and wreck Amelia again. Kasey Kahne and Matt Dibenedetto involved.

 

the #5 team is not happy with Stewart. #88, #5 and #83 all to the garage. Driver change for for Stewart coming up.

 

David Gillland was also involved in the crash.

 

Danica Patrick and Paul Menard got damage in their tangle on pit road.

 

 

edit: now Biffle and Hamlin crash into each other on pit road.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kk9fan97

[kk9fan97]

crash just after halfway.

 

Chris Buescher gets turned on to his roof and barrell rolled. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Austin Dillon, Michael Annett also involved.

 

Annett got turned into Buecher beind the inital wreck and hit Buescher sending him over. Brian Scott got slowed down in time to avoid pulling a Ryan Newman and end up with Buescher landing on top of him.

 

edit: Jamie McMurray also involved in the crash

 

edit: David Gilliland was also involved.

 

edit: Annett actually hit the inside wall in the same exact spot as Chris Cockrum hit yesterday.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kk9fan97

[kk9fan97]

and there goes Amelia again, and this time totally wrecked and in flames. Junior and Edwards wreck hard. Looks like either something broke on Edwards' car or the right front tire went flat going into turn 1.

 

edit: woah Junior in his interview with FOX said his steering wheel came off during the caution for the wreck that ended with Buescher flipping, and FOX caught in on camera. He grabbed the steering column and steered it that way for a few seconds before getting the wheel back on. edit - video of it - https://twitter.com/NASCARONFOX/status/726852846885294081

 

 

edit: and now Kahne wrecks again.

 

so now that's four drivers with two crashes -

 

Kahne - 2 crashes

Junior - 2 crashes

Edwards - 2 crashes

Gilliland - 2 crashes

 

 

 

edit: now Hamlin and Cassil get together on pit road sending Hamlin spinning. crazy day on pit road for Hamlin, after already having run into Biffle on pit road.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kk9fan97

[kk9fan97]

and the big one. Kurt Busch turned Johnson across the front of Menard to start it.

 

Involved: Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex, Jr., Paul Menard, Greg Biffle, ReganSmith, Ryan Newman, KyleLarson, Jamie McMurray, Brian Scott, Michael McDowell, Kyle Busch, A.J. Allmedinger, David Gilliland, Ryan Blaney, Danica Patrick, Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

 

 

edit: and another huge wreck with less than 10 laps to go. Kenseth blewover and landed against the inside wall upside down before flipping back on it's wheels. also involved were - Almirola, McDowell, Logano, Patrick.

 

 

edit: and another car gets pretty much turned over. Cassill turned Harvick across the front of Stehouse coming to the checkers and Harvick got put on to his side and the back on all four wheels. Allmendinger

 

 

edit: so 33 of 40 cars were involved in wrecks, a few of which were involved in 2 or 3 wrecks total (twice - Junior, Kahne, Edwards, Allmendinger, Hamlin - pit road and on track Menard - pit road and on track; 3 times - Danica - pit road and on track, Gilliland) . 2 cars flipped (Buescher and Kenseth) and a third one pretty much on it's side (Harvick). Kenseth is mad at Logano once again, and both Danica and Allmendinger were in pain after their wrecks. wild, wild race.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kk9fan97

[theGTAking101]

This was the best plate race I've seen in ages, certainly makes up for the past two pathetic plate races

 

Crazy to think that this is only the second time a Gen 6 car has flipped from getting airborne while spinning. Most of the flips these days are really bizarre. Also the first time since 2009 that 2 cars have flipped in a race.

 

Safe to say Amelia is done for, it's best to bring a whole new car for Daytona.

[Ex Hellraiser]

The entire race was amazing up until the last 200 feet. NASCAR threw the caution coming to the finish line yet again. THERE IS NO POINT. It did nothing to help with driver safety or get emergency crews to the cars faster. There is no need for it.

 

I've been absent from this topic because I was at work all day and I blacked out all NASCAR notifications so I could watch it unspoiled this morning lol. Really amazing race. Glad Chase managed to make it to the end without getting tangled up in a wreck. Another top 5 for him. Real shame for Danica though. Yeah she messed up with pit road, but she was in contention for a top 10 and got spun through no fault of her own. I'm not even upset Brad won, he had the car to beat all day.

 

Edit: Also, I'm glad Michael Waltrip finished 12th. It's been a long time since he finished a plate race in contention (or at all). It's always cool to see him running with the others every once in a while.

Edited May 2, 2016 by Ex Hellraiser

[theGTAking101]

Really good day for Mikey. It's good for Premium Motorsports as well.

I will never understand the point of throwing a caution on the last lap. If the crash is in turn 1 then it makes sense, but it makes zero sense that close to the finish line.

Edited May 3, 2016 by theGTAking101

[kk9fan97]

Mikey had quite the save on the backstretch when Logano shoved Truex into him, and it was nice to see Truex give Waltrip praise for the save.

 

everything about yesterday's race was bizarre - Buescher, Kenseth and Harvick all getting airborne and in the case of Buescher and Kenseth both completely flipped, Amelia getting wrecked twice, plus the steering wheel coming off, Hamlin crashing twice on pit road, 4 or 5 drivers wrecking 3 times and a bunch more wrecking twice. Something about rain delayed and rain threatened races seems to bring out the crazyness.

 

at least them throwing the caution did not change anything. I think part of NASCAR's reasoning for throwing the caution is there was a bunch of cars that had fallen out of the pack and were pretty far behind and with how bad and heavy Harvick hit the wall they needed to put the caution so they could immediately let the safety crews get to the #4, and #47 cars, otherwise they would have had to wait for the rest of the cars to come barrelling through the wreck scene.

 

Keselowski crashing into Dillon at Daytona last year is a perfect example of that reasoning. Keselowski was way behnd the pack and he could not get slowed down to miss him, and by the time the wreck ended there were still cars racing down the backstretch.

 

 

that's the the 5th time I can remember multiple cars/trucks going over or getting airborne in one race, but the first time I can remember 3 cars having it happen.

 

- 1998 Diehard 500 at Talladega - Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott both got turned on to their sides in the same wreck.

- 2000 NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona - Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green both flipped on the frontstretch in seperate wrecks.

- 2005 Truck Series race at Daytona - Chad Chaffin and Rick Crawford flipped in seperate wrecks

- 2005 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega - Michael Waltrip and Scott Riggs flipped in seperate wrecks.

- 2016 Geico 500 at Talladega - Chris Buescher, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick all flipped or got onto their sides

 

there is also a couple of ARCA races at Daytona that I can remember having multiple drivers get upside down, namely the 2005 race where ike three cars ended up flipping in a massive wreck on the backstretch.

[theGTAking101]

that's the the 5th time I can remember multiple cars/trucks going over or getting airborne in one race, but the first time I can remember 3 cars having it happen.

 

- 1998 Diehard 500 at Talladega - Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott both got turned on to their sides in the same wreck.

- 2000 NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona - Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green both flipped on the frontstretch in seperate wrecks.

- 2005 Truck Series race at Daytona - Chad Chaffin and Rick Crawford flipped in seperate wrecks

- 2005 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega - Michael Waltrip and Scott Riggs flipped in seperate wrecks.

- 2016 Geico 500 at Talladega - Chris Buescher, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick all flipped or got onto their sides

 

there is also a couple of ARCA races at Daytona that I can remember having multiple drivers get upside down, namely the 2005 race where ike three cars ended up flipping in a massive wreck on the backstretch.

Don't forget Newman/Martin in 2009. Man it's been a while since this happened.

[kk9fan97]

I knew I was forgetting one. That race was quite the wild race too.

 

I am quite surprised that Newman did not say anything after Sunday's race with Kenseth and Buescher and Kenseth flipping and Harvick getting on to his side with how outspoken he has been in the past about it with how many times he has flipped, gotten on to his side or had cars land on top of him.

 

2009 alone had a ton of drivers get upside down - Carl Edwards at Talladega in the Spring (Cup Series), Matt Kenseth at Talladega in the Spring (Xfinity), Joe Nemechek at Nashville (Xfinity), Martin and Newman at Talladega in a the fall (Cup Series). It was just a weird year that year.

 

 

Sounds like Amelia is done for good. If that's the case Junior should add her to his racecar graveyard.

Edited May 4, 2016 by kk9fan97