The World 600 Live Blogging!

 

Random Junior Rant + Atlanta Thoughts

I like this guy for Sunday's race

Gosh with Kpop taking over my life at the moment, and school spanking my ass, I’ve put NASCAR a bit on the backburner. ‘Tis okay, one obsession at at time. But for reals though, I’ve been watching the races and I have to say the season so far (minus the rainouts) has been pretty okay.

So Junior. Yes even the best of us can’t get away from this topic. IDK why all of a sudden I felt the need to post on this, but whatever, just indulge me. People are so frickin’ polarized on this subject. Is he a good driver? Is he popular only cuz of his daddy? Was the move to Hendrick a good one? How much does Tony Eury Jr. contribute to his shortcomings? Okay, tackle these one at a time.

Is he a good driver? Yes, everyone in Cup is a good driver. And he is definitely above average for Cup. So yes, good driver. Great driver? No. Potential to become a great driver? Well, I don’t see Jeff Gordon status in his future, but multiple win seasons + contender for the championship shouldn’t be unattainable. People say his problem is mental. I don’t know nearly enough about him nor NASCAR to make a judgement, but I feel like he’s got more problems then that. Right now, he already has everything that comes with winning a championship. Money? Check. Fans? Check. Attention? Probably more then he wants. I think what he really needs is to become less popular, and perhaps that’ll be the proper motivation to get the shiz together. Unfortunately, that’s not something he can control. Maybe he can pretend to become bffs with the Busch bros. Just a thought….

Is he popular only cuz of his daddy? No, his daddy was never the most popular driver when he was alive. But the last name Earnhardt sure hasn’t hurt him. Junior is too much of a hick for him to ever become my favorite driver, but I guess it appeals to the core demographic so more power to him.

Was the move to Hendrick a good one? Well it’s better then DEI. However, being the fourth best driver by far on a team must not be too good for the ego. IMO being successful as long as you’re with a top team is all about chemistry, cuz the equipment isn’t gonna differ that much. KB has done so much better since leaving Hendrick, and I don’t think anyone believes Gibbs’ equipment is significantly better then Hendrick’s. Would RCR have been better? No. They are still a step below Hendrick in Chevy, plus that looming 3 probably isn’t good for the psyche. I feel like Junior would have fit in welll at Gibbs, but he cares about the manufacture so that wasn’t ever gonna happening.

Tony Eury Jr? IDK, but the two of them do not work well together. I think Hendrick should “promote” the cousin, and get someone else.  Even if they’re a technically less skilled crew chief, maybe a bit of professionalism will be better for everyone.

Finally, picks for the weekend. I haven’t been keeping up with the practices so this is solely based on the starting line up. I am just pulling these out of my ass.

31

16

Atlanta is super fun for an intermediate, so hopefully it’s a good race. No chance of rain right?!?!

 

Post Daytona Thoughts

First off, I forgot to wish everyone a happy Valentines Day yesterday, so happy belated Valentines day! Hope ya’ll had fun!

Now, um yeah…. yea for NASCAR starting again [/weak voice] Not exactly what the fans were waiting for I’d imagine. Personally, I’m just so glad the season has begun. The honeymoon period is still happening, and I’m therefore not about to start whining and complaining yet. Things:

• Rain Rain boo! Yes, it totally sucks the race ended the way it did, but that’s just how the weather gods roll. Daytona is a huge track to attempting to dry it after who knows how long wouldn’t have really been feasible. Congratulations to Matt Kenseth for winning the Great American Race, however, it sucks that he didn’t get to experience the full on burnout-take-the-checkers-fans-screaming thing he deserves. Oh well, a 500 win is a 500 win right? And IMO, whoever wins the race deserves the win. So what if he only lead half a lap under green? He lead the right lap and that’s all that matters.
• I guess the most exciting thing to happen today was that Earnhardt Jr. Vickers debacle. At first I thought it was totally Junior’s fault for being impatient and stupid, but then I saw a different angle and it seems like Vickers was putting on a pretty big block so I ammend my opinion to thinking it’s just one of those racing deals. Whatever, sucks for the cars that were taken out (including KB, my pick who was making me look so good there for a while T__T), but that’s how it goes.
• Where did Stewart finish? Okay, Looked it up: 8th. Good start! RP races obviously tell us nothing, but maybe I was wrong in doubting him. Do you think when MM finally retires, and if the whole ownership thing doesn’t work out, TS will join Hendrick? Like, can you imagine– JG, JJ, Junior and TS. That’d be a hell of a team…..

Anything else happen? Minus the whole 88-83 mess, it was a pretty low key race. Oh well, still excited for the season to begin!

 

2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preseason Thoughts

Yes, it is that time again. Doesn’t off season see to fly by? I’m kinda hating the new rules. No testing? WTF is that about? You can say what you want about saving money, but I totally don’t buy it. I mean, the top teams are gonna spend, and you can bet making all NASCAR affiliated tracks off limits isn’t gonna stop r&d. Personally, I think the more you restrict the sport, the harder it is for low-funded teams to find a competitive edge.

Things to think about this season–

• How competitive will Stewart-Haas be? Who isn’t curious about this. TS is no doubt one of the best in the sport, but since his championship in ‘05, he hasn’t really had a stellar season since then. Personally, I’m skeptical. Can anyone name the last successful driver owner? If the likes of Waltrip (the more talented one) and Robbie Gordon can’t do it, what makes Stewart think he can? Hendrick support is nice, but you can bet the best stuff isn’t leaving the core four..
• Speaking of Hendrick, how’s Mark Martin gonna gonna fit into an already crowded crowd? Now that I think about it, since his last season at Roush, the move to Hendrick has been pretty much inevitable. Personally, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think all four will make the chase. In fact, I wouldn’t bet otherwise. However, I doubt HMS will dominate. I think their sucess will be a bit more evenly distributed then ‘08, but no way will all of them have what they themselves would consider sucessful seasons.
• Last year’s sliced bread drivers Carl and Kyle– can they keep the magic going? I’m taking the easy way out and saying yes. Ford finally got their shit together, and with the new engine, who knows how dominant they (read: Roush) will be. Toyota is on steady ground as well, and I think KB’s last season crash-and-burn in the chase is karma enough for him. The kid’s way too talented to keep down for long.
• Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is a mouthful to say. Two sucky teams added together isn’t like two negatives canceling each other out, it’s like 2X the suckiness.
• Finally, can JJ pull off the fourfer? I don’t see why not, although the law of averages is against him. I wouldn’t cry if he won, but I also wouldn’t mind if some other team won. It’s a long way ’till then, so we’ll just see how the season plays out.
• Lots more, Logano (overhyped– ROTY? yes, Jesus? no), tires (probably no Indy, but Goodyear has sucked forever so no reason to think they’ll suddenly stop), Dodge? (I think they’re worried about bigger things then NASCAR at the moment…), ECONOMY!!! (hey, I just watch the races), and of course the usual compaints about cheating, cautions, and rainouts. I’m glad you’re back NASCAR ♥.

Finally, my silly predictions for the chase. Not in order.

1. 5
2. 24
3. 48
4. 88
5. 99
6. 18
7. 11
8. 6
9. 83
10. 17
11. 29
12. 16

• 500 winner: Kyle Busch

 

NASCAR in terms of Kpop

A certain reader of my blog thinks she should start watching NASCAR, lololol, okay, this is for you ; )