The 2021 Running NASCAR/IMSA/other racing things thread

Oof. Maybe Rick needs to make more changes on this side of the business:

Hendrick Automotive Group Executive Team

"The Hendrick Automotive Group Executive Team is rated a "C-" and led by CEO Edward Brown. Hendrick Automotive Group employees rate their Executive Team in the Bottom 30% of similar size companies on Comparably with 5,001-10,000 Employees.
The Finance department and employees with 1 to 3 Years experience are more confident in their Executive Team, while Female employees and the Sales department think there is room for improvement. Out of their 3 competitors, Group 1 Automotive, AutoNation, and Sonic Automotive, Hendrick Automotive Group's score ranks in 3rd place."

 

Silly Season hits top gear.



Cindric was supposed to be in the 21 next year for more polishing.

 

Detail I missed: Roger Penske confirmed Kez is moving to Roush next year.



Roush could get more business value right now by making the announcement.

 

DiBenedetto reminds me a bit of Tony Raines. That was a guy I thought could have fared decently if he were in a better ride. At least top-20s. I don't care what they say about the alliance with Penske, the Woods are merely AAA (still better than Rick Ware Racing, though). Their last two wins were at a plate race and a gamble on tires at Bristol.

 

That’s why Penske has an alliance with the Wood Brothers. Cindric doesn’t really need much more seasoning, but Penske clearly banked on keeping Keselowski for two to three years longer. Harrison Burton is an excellent young driver who could use some time in a Cup Series ride with top equipment, which he’ll be getting in the 21.

Not sure why or if Penske soured on DiBenedetto, who may just be a victim of circumstance here.

 

With Cindric and Harrison Burton landing rides, Cup is increasingly looking like NASCAR Nepotism. Not to say those guys aren't good drivers, but it's obvious their family connections are getting them seats over guys who had to get there on merit.

 

Richard and Kyle Petty have no idea what you’re talking about. The Allisons and Earnhardts are similarly perplexed.

Those guys are good drivers, though.

 

Cindric has proven he's the real deal and can win on ovals. Harrison Burton has a chance to be good but probably could use more at-bats down on the farm.

 

People have fussed about this in NHRA for years, but I've never had an issue with it over there.
Most teams are family operations and generally sidelines to some other business.
If Don Schumacher, John Force, Connie Kalitta, Kenny Bernstein, put their kids in their cars, so be it.

 

Auto racing has always had a family connection, all the way down to the short-track level. I can't tell you how many Jrs. and kid brothers I've seen race. There's about seven guys named Tunny who race at Speedrome at Indy.

Does Gary Bettenhausen get a ride with Penske if his father wasn't Tony? Bill Vukovich Jr.? Pancho Carter?

Sons of drivers have a tendency to either have the genetic predisposition or money to get better equipment on their way to success. Richard was better than his dad. A.J. was better than his dad. Davey Allison and Dale Jarrett were stars in their own right.

Then again, 18-year-old Kyle doesn't get that Sportsman win at Daytona in STP sponsorship without having ever driven a stock car if his last name wasn't Petty. And no comment about Kerry Earnhardt.

 

Two words: Ed Carpenter.

 

How much of it is these are the families willing to put young kids in high-powered equipment that would scare the rest of their age group shitless?