NASCAR Update 8-12-07
#1
08-12-2007, 07:22 AM
NASCAR Update 8-12-07
[align=center][/align][align=center][:-]They must be taking a nap : )[/align][align=center]
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Recently it hasn't been the fastest car that has the advantage in Nextel Cup road races; instead, the winner is the team with the best strategy. Marty Snider doesn't think that's the way it should be. Full story
• Fiss: Watch out for Stewart at Watkins Glen | Gordon on pole
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Kevin Harvick hopes tobuild on last year's success at The Glen.
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Kyle Busch is a free agent no more after joining Gibbs' team.
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[b]He has talent to spare, which is why Kyle Busch will win races no matter what team he is on. But Mark
[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align]Recently it hasn't been the fastest car that has the advantage in Nextel Cup road races; instead, the winner is the team with the best strategy. Marty Snider doesn't think that's the way it should be. Full story
• Fiss: Watch out for Stewart at Watkins Glen | Gordon on pole
Kevin Harvick hopes tobuild on last year's success at The Glen.
Kyle Busch is a free agent no more after joining Gibbs' team.
[b]He has talent to spare, which is why Kyle Busch will win races no matter what team he is on. But Mark
#2
08-12-2007, 07:43 AM
RE: NASCAR Update 8-12-07
[align=center]Updated: Thursday August 9, 2007
Green Flags
Observations, opinions and other thoughts on the NASCAR season[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align]
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A few weeks ago at Daytona, I was talking about free-agency with an insider from one of the top teams in Nextel Cup. Our conversation centered mostly on where Kyle Busch was going to sign after getting cut loose by Hendrick Motorsports. While we were both speculating, this certain insider suddenly stopped and said, "You know, it doesn't matter where Kyle Busch ends up. Nothing against Dale Earnhardt Jr., but as far as talent goes, Kyle Busch is up here and Junior is down here. At Hendrick next year, they're going to give Junior all the resources that he felt DEI couldn't or wouldn't give him. So he'll get to see how good he really is. He might even win a championship. Kyle, on the other hand, is going to win races and championships no matter where he goes."
I was reminded of this comment when I heard the surprising news that Busch had signed to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing next season. The move didn't seem very logical. To be sure, JGR has both the personnel and the resources to help Busch contend for a title in 2008. But it's not like Hendrick doesn't? And doesn't the move to Gibbs leave Busch third in yet another pecking order? He's trading a spot behind Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for a spot behind Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.
Lars Anderson thought -- with good reason -- that Busch was going to wind up at DEI, a rising team where he would be the unquestioned No. 1. Why would he seek out the same working conditions that have made him so unhappy at Hendrick? It doesn't seem like the sort of situation that will encourage the young driver to spread his wings. Indeed, his residency at Gibbs could be a recipe for disaster. His feuds with Stewart are well documented, as are his struggles with authority.
And yet ... and yet. Something tells me that the irascible Stewart might be just the sort of teammate Busch will look up to in a way that he never did with either Gordon or Johnson. Busch is a hothead who still hasn't fulfilled his immense potential. Gordon and Johnson are both even-tempered company men. Stewart is a hothead who's seen and done it all, and, more importantly, who doesn't let anybody tell him what to do. Who do you think Busch is most likely to look up to and try to emulate? It's not a perfect match. Not by a long shot. Indeed, it's an extremely volatile combination, but depending on how the fuse is lit, one that could turn out to be highly successful.
For all Busch the Younger's personal foibles, he's widely regarded as the most talented young driver on the circuit. Anybody happen to see him sliding all over the track at Pocono last weekend? Busch is known for preferring a loose racecar, but the No. 5 Chevy was almost too much for even him on Sunday. Still, he fought the whole way and brought his car in for a 12th-place finish. It's that kind of control that makes veterans in the Cup garage shake their head in wonder.
Can Stewart help harness that talent? He's not the obvious choice, but he might be the best one.[align=center][/align]
[align=center][/align][center][b]Jimmie Johnson compares racing at the Glen to racing at Infineon:
"There's history everywhere at Watkins Glen. The race will be tough as it always is. The No. 1 goal is to stay on track.
Green Flags
Observations, opinions and other thoughts on the NASCAR season[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align]
George Tiedemann/GT Images
[align=center][/align][align=center][/align]Flash Point
[align=center][/align]A few weeks ago at Daytona, I was talking about free-agency with an insider from one of the top teams in Nextel Cup. Our conversation centered mostly on where Kyle Busch was going to sign after getting cut loose by Hendrick Motorsports. While we were both speculating, this certain insider suddenly stopped and said, "You know, it doesn't matter where Kyle Busch ends up. Nothing against Dale Earnhardt Jr., but as far as talent goes, Kyle Busch is up here and Junior is down here. At Hendrick next year, they're going to give Junior all the resources that he felt DEI couldn't or wouldn't give him. So he'll get to see how good he really is. He might even win a championship. Kyle, on the other hand, is going to win races and championships no matter where he goes."
I was reminded of this comment when I heard the surprising news that Busch had signed to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing next season. The move didn't seem very logical. To be sure, JGR has both the personnel and the resources to help Busch contend for a title in 2008. But it's not like Hendrick doesn't? And doesn't the move to Gibbs leave Busch third in yet another pecking order? He's trading a spot behind Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for a spot behind Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.
Lars Anderson thought -- with good reason -- that Busch was going to wind up at DEI, a rising team where he would be the unquestioned No. 1. Why would he seek out the same working conditions that have made him so unhappy at Hendrick? It doesn't seem like the sort of situation that will encourage the young driver to spread his wings. Indeed, his residency at Gibbs could be a recipe for disaster. His feuds with Stewart are well documented, as are his struggles with authority.
And yet ... and yet. Something tells me that the irascible Stewart might be just the sort of teammate Busch will look up to in a way that he never did with either Gordon or Johnson. Busch is a hothead who still hasn't fulfilled his immense potential. Gordon and Johnson are both even-tempered company men. Stewart is a hothead who's seen and done it all, and, more importantly, who doesn't let anybody tell him what to do. Who do you think Busch is most likely to look up to and try to emulate? It's not a perfect match. Not by a long shot. Indeed, it's an extremely volatile combination, but depending on how the fuse is lit, one that could turn out to be highly successful.
For all Busch the Younger's personal foibles, he's widely regarded as the most talented young driver on the circuit. Anybody happen to see him sliding all over the track at Pocono last weekend? Busch is known for preferring a loose racecar, but the No. 5 Chevy was almost too much for even him on Sunday. Still, he fought the whole way and brought his car in for a 12th-place finish. It's that kind of control that makes veterans in the Cup garage shake their head in wonder.
Can Stewart help harness that talent? He's not the obvious choice, but he might be the best one.
How to Drive ...
[align=center][/align]Watkins Glen International
[align=center][/align]"There's history everywhere at Watkins Glen. The race will be tough as it always is. The No. 1 goal is to stay on track.
#3
08-12-2007, 08:13 AM
RE: NASCAR Update 8-12-07
[center]Stewart looks to continue N.Y. road dominanceStirling Fiss
NBCSports.com Updated: Aug11, 2007, 10:02 AM EDT
Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR Tony Stewart's success at The Glen has been unparalleled over the past five races. [/align][/align]When the racing calendar comes out for each season, Tony Stewart must immediately and gleefully circle the day the drivers gather at the Watkins Glen International track.
With three wins and one runner-up finish in the past five races on the New York road course, Stewart has been dominant. The recent race statistics reflect this fact as his track-leading average running position is 2.5 and he has never in 182 laps run out of the top 15.
Although his second-place finish in 2006 was impressive, it didn’t come close to equaling his 2005 performance in which he led 83 of 92 laps en route to recording a perfect 150.0 driver rating and earning the win. Smoke is as hot as August, especially on this track.
With drivers at the top of the NASCAR points ladder fairly secure in their Chase status, the battle to watch is among those aspiring to move up to qualifying Nextel rungs. By edging out second-place finisher Dale Earnhardt Jr. in last week’s Pennsylvania 500, Kurt Busch leapfrogged ahead of the No. 8 into the 12th Chase spot. Just seven points separate the two drivers, and they aren’t the only ones in contention for that final berth.
Ryan Newman, currently lurking in 14th place, is 90 points behind teammate Busch. Mark Martin and Greg Biffle are both 216 points out of the coveted 12th spot. With just five races remaining before the Chase field is locked, any one of those drivers hoping to compete for the Cup needs to make a strong move -- now.
Neither Earnhardt Jr. nor Busch have excelled at Watkins Glen, but past performances give the advantage to Junior. In seven career starts on the road course, he has two top-fives, three top-10s and an average finish of 17.6. Busch’s six starts on the track have produced just one top-10 and an average finish of 25.0.
Still, Busch has the momentum heading into the 90-lap race. Not only does he enter this weekend fresh off a Pennsylvania 500 win in which he recorded a perfect 150.0 driver rating, but he has also leapfrogged up in the standings in recent weeks. Over the last eight races, he has improved five spots. Before taking second last week, Earnhardt Jr. had three straight weeks of poor finishes -- 36th, 19th and 34th -- putting his seemingly secure place in the top 12 in jeopardy.
NBCSports.com Poll[/align]Who will win the Centurion Boats at The Glen?
[/align]Tony Stewart
[/align]Jeff Gordon
[/align]Juan Pablo Montoya
[/align]Kevin Harvick
[/align]Robby Gordon
[/align]Other
[/align]
[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]Wins and positioning may be critical for those battling for Chase spots, but the road course specialists on the track for the second and final road race of NASCAR’s season will be racing primarily for pride. With no pretensions of Cup contention, P.J. Jones, Patrick Carpentier, Ron Fellows, Boris Said, Brian Simo and Klaus Graf will all attempt to show up the Nextel regulars.
After serving a one-week suspension for his antics in the Montreal Busch race, Robby Gordon will be back on the track. Looking to be noticed more for his on-track skills and less for his temperamental displays, Gordon is a driver to watch, especially since he has the second-best driver rating among this year’s racers. Gordon also ranks second with an 8.4 average running position and 150 laps in the top 15. With one win, one runner-up finish and six top-five finishes in eight races, Gordon has distinguished himself on the road course. There is nothing t
NBCSports.com Updated: Aug11, 2007, 10:02 AM EDT
Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR Tony Stewart's success at The Glen has been unparalleled over the past five races. [/align][/align]When the racing calendar comes out for each season, Tony Stewart must immediately and gleefully circle the day the drivers gather at the Watkins Glen International track.With three wins and one runner-up finish in the past five races on the New York road course, Stewart has been dominant. The recent race statistics reflect this fact as his track-leading average running position is 2.5 and he has never in 182 laps run out of the top 15.
Although his second-place finish in 2006 was impressive, it didn’t come close to equaling his 2005 performance in which he led 83 of 92 laps en route to recording a perfect 150.0 driver rating and earning the win. Smoke is as hot as August, especially on this track.
With drivers at the top of the NASCAR points ladder fairly secure in their Chase status, the battle to watch is among those aspiring to move up to qualifying Nextel rungs. By edging out second-place finisher Dale Earnhardt Jr. in last week’s Pennsylvania 500, Kurt Busch leapfrogged ahead of the No. 8 into the 12th Chase spot. Just seven points separate the two drivers, and they aren’t the only ones in contention for that final berth.
Ryan Newman, currently lurking in 14th place, is 90 points behind teammate Busch. Mark Martin and Greg Biffle are both 216 points out of the coveted 12th spot. With just five races remaining before the Chase field is locked, any one of those drivers hoping to compete for the Cup needs to make a strong move -- now.
Neither Earnhardt Jr. nor Busch have excelled at Watkins Glen, but past performances give the advantage to Junior. In seven career starts on the road course, he has two top-fives, three top-10s and an average finish of 17.6. Busch’s six starts on the track have produced just one top-10 and an average finish of 25.0.
Still, Busch has the momentum heading into the 90-lap race. Not only does he enter this weekend fresh off a Pennsylvania 500 win in which he recorded a perfect 150.0 driver rating, but he has also leapfrogged up in the standings in recent weeks. Over the last eight races, he has improved five spots. Before taking second last week, Earnhardt Jr. had three straight weeks of poor finishes -- 36th, 19th and 34th -- putting his seemingly secure place in the top 12 in jeopardy.
NBCSports.com Poll[/align]Who will win the Centurion Boats at The Glen?
[/align]Tony Stewart
[/align]Jeff Gordon
[/align]Juan Pablo Montoya
[/align]Kevin Harvick
[/align]Robby Gordon
[/align]Other
[/align]
[/align][/align][/align][/align][/align][/align]Wins and positioning may be critical for those battling for Chase spots, but the road course specialists on the track for the second and final road race of NASCAR’s season will be racing primarily for pride. With no pretensions of Cup contention, P.J. Jones, Patrick Carpentier, Ron Fellows, Boris Said, Brian Simo and Klaus Graf will all attempt to show up the Nextel regulars.
After serving a one-week suspension for his antics in the Montreal Busch race, Robby Gordon will be back on the track. Looking to be noticed more for his on-track skills and less for his temperamental displays, Gordon is a driver to watch, especially since he has the second-best driver rating among this year’s racers. Gordon also ranks second with an 8.4 average running position and 150 laps in the top 15. With one win, one runner-up finish and six top-five finishes in eight races, Gordon has distinguished himself on the road course. There is nothing t
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