2009 NASCAR running thread

They apparently had pit crews ... or, at least, guys standing around pretending to be crewmen. Only one of those cars lists "parked" as a reason for being out.

I'm not certain how much money the 64 team "earned" yesterday but it may be time to fine Gunselman Racing an amount equivalent to that prize money for fielding a car without being prepared to race. Call it "actions detrimental to stock-car racing" and strip the owner's and driver's points (34 of each) at the same time.

 

That is correct. David Ragan made up like 4 laps that day at Martinsville due to the lucky dog for cautions he caused. He was driving the yellow 06 car. He also wrecked Ken Schrader in the 21 car in Turn 1 and that's when Schrader picked up a piece of bumper bar from the rear end and was tempted to use it as a javelin to penetrate Ragan's front windshield. Classic stuff. Jimmy Fennig is a great crew chief and has worked with some of the sport's greats. The fact that Ragan can't do anything right speaks volumes about what a loser he is.

 

He's not a loser. He may in fact be a nice guy.

But once the green flag drops he's either dangerous or flat-out incapable.

 

He is a nice guy. Let me clarify. Meant loser on the racetrack in the Cup Series such as there are 42 losers every week. Some guys can get it done, some can't. He is a terrific truck driver. Just not a Cup driver.

 

Ragan is a really good guy, or was in my experiences. But yes, I wouldn't hand him the keys to my car.

 

Well after a while I would think collecting paychecks could certainly help build a race team if that's what the owner is really looking to do instead of just pocketing the cash. You could probably even make enough to add an extra crew member who's better than the ones you have, you might be able to buy more time on the 7-post shaker rig, heck you might even be able to build an extra car and buy better engines. Reminds me of Morgan Shepherd who was a start and park last year pretty much until he got some help from Stewart and Harvick and look at him now. He's not a start and park anymore for the most part. It can be done but it is rare these days.

 

What makes you think any of those start-and-park teams care about renting time on a shaker rig?

 

They probably aren't interested in racing instead of parking. That's why I said IF. I still think every field should have 43 cars whether they are start and park's or not. Here's why. Anybody who's been to a short track in the last 15 years knows start and parks have always been around in motor sports. The average little guy can barely afford an 8-piece of Hardee's chicken to feed his crew before the race, much less run a 50-lap Modified feature. They come to the track because they are chasing a dream, hoping to get noticed. And I think the same philosophy exists in Sprint Cup. Sure it's shallow to show up and park it but you have to be there at least. Also, let's say the Daytona 500 has 43 cars and Jeff Gordon finishes 43rd. He would lose more ground in the points to the leader in a 43-car field than a guy would who finishes last in a 36-car field. And if Gordon was to lose the championship by 15 points that could be the difference. So believe it or not, actually having the start and parks in the field creates consistency. Now if they want to go back to 36 car fields starting next year for all the races to get rid of the start and parks, I'm all for it.

 

Severe thunderstorm watch 'till 7 p.m. in Watkins Glen.

http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/Watkins_Glen.html

http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/023.html#SEW
http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/023.html#SPE

 

Have heard more of Marcos Ambrose today than ever before. Of course, I could listen to his accent All.Day.Long.

 

You and me both. Good guy too.