For the 3 or so of us that care about NASCAR we can use this thread to discuss next year, e.g. driver changes, etc. The thread is inspired by today's unveiling of the Nationwide Camaro, http://www.nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/news/120726/camaro-nationwide-model-2013/index.html. So by association did Helton just call all the NASCAR fans "old guys"? Come to think of it, the sport's popularity is over the hill, i.e. on the down-slope. Image Unavailable, Please Login
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8202510/nascar-mulls-banning-top-35-rule I say keep Top-35 but expand the field to 50...the start and park guys don't need a pit space.
It isn't that I 'care' about it, I just think it's a lot more competitive than that open wheel stuff they call F1. As soon as F1 fields 16-18 cars that are fully capable of winning a race, then I will have more of an interest in F1. I am not holding my breath...
AJ Allmendinger fired from Penske racing From jayski.com : Sprint Cup Series News, Rumors & Stats Allmendinger released by Penske; statements by Allmendinger & Shell: Penske Racing announced today that AJ Allmendinger has been released as driver of the #22 Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR last week for a positive drug test. "Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," said Roger Penske. "AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCAR's 'Road to Recovery' program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR." Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the #22 Dodge at Pocono this weekend and for the foreseeable future. Penske Racing will evaluate its options for a driver of the #22 car for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.(Penske Racing)(8-1-2012)
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8248008/joey-logano-mulling-2-full-time-cup-offers-1-joe-gibbs
Yes he did and this is something surely NASCAR must realize, an aging fan base demographic, cars with no relevance to their road going counterparts (other than headlight and logo stickers), young kids that are hip to technology and idolize guys like Ken Block and Travis Pestrana, etc. All this when NASCAR is renegotiating TV contracts (and looking for NFL-type money) while attendance, TV ratings are trending down, a market that's already oversaturated and overexposed which will only get worse if the type of TV contracts they're looking for move forward. In other news, Mike Helton is a "bit of a car guy". He probably had more Hulk Hogan memorbilia in his office than racing stuff. Anything to cover the fake wood wall panelling I suppose. BHW
I don't think Logano can go anywhere unless he brings money with him (which he doesn't) or if he has a sponsor targeting him to drive specifically (which I doubt he has). If you had to take Kenseth or Logano, who would you take?
Kenseth is not available, he's got a signed contract with sponsor and ride next year. Joey has CUP options other than Gibbs, he'd like to stay with Gibbs, but with the mechanical issues Gibbs has had for years its not an easy sell. Gibbs is my favorite team, I keep hoping next year will be a turnaround year for them. KB blew it last year with his tantrums, and they all blew a lot of engines.
Well, we won't know for SURE until his contract allows it to be public. I didn't think it would of been wise last year for Carl to make that same move when offered. I guess Matt K. feels differently. With fuel injection, the Toyota teams are communicating with each other, so the Toyota's seem to be on a recovery. Ford has the best powerplants ATM though.(Hendrick has some incredible cars though.) Racing though, is not always a stable sport, so things can change quite rapidly.
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8303154/roger-penske-says-joey-logano-candidate-no-22-car
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8316995/carl-edwards-says-not-candidate-drive-no-22-car I'm sure all of the above has an implied "subject to change."
Good to hear, http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8317205/richard-petty-motorsports-2013-presence-sprint-cup-series... ...but I gotta believe that it is inevitable that the Petty presence will be out as a team someday soon.
Sigh, you are probably right. I mean, look at F1 - who would have thought that these teams - in their heyday - would be gone? Tyrrell, Matra, Auto Union, Brabham, Cooper, Arrows, Ligier, Alfa, Lotus to name a few.
Makes one wonder what would have been if not for Adam Petty's accident. Regardless of what happens on the track hopefully Victory Junction will remain a success and keep the Petty legacy growing. Yep and I'm glad to see Sauber make a comeback in the ashes of BMW. Too bad the new Lotus is really just a name; might as well call them Team Kimi.
Funny you mention that, because I was just wondering what nascar would be like if Adam Petty, Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Kenny Irwin, Cliff Allison, Earnhardt Sr. and of course we will always wonder where Schumacher would be if Senna had not been killed, what Schumi's legacy would be today.
Considering Schumacher left a championship team, to go drive for Ferrari, a team with a very poor showing, I doubt Schumacher's history would of been much different. Senna would of bounced around whatever team Senna thought would win the championship. Schumacher would go on his string of domination anyway, with Senna on the outside looking in. Its possible they could of ended up teammates, and that's the only interesting "what if".
Good news for Petty, http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8387194/ford-racing-very-close-deal-richard-petty-motorsports Is the silence regarding Almirola deafening?
andrew...i disagree!!!!! you could start by assuming that he would have won the wdc instead of damon that fateful year.
That didn't take long, http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8421470/kurt-busch-drive-furniture-row-racing-next-season.