Summary:

The car’s of Jimmy Johnson and Kyle Busch both failed post-race inspection after the MBNA Racepoints 400 in Dover. Johnson won the race. Kyle came in second.

Both cars were 1/8th of an inch too high. 30 minutes later, the shocks bled out some air and the cars settled down to the legally acceptable height.

You can read the full story here or here.

My Take:

An 1/8th of an inch! I’m no engineer … mathematician … or mechanic, so you might argue I don’t know what I’m talking about. We know NASCAR is a sticklar about the size, shape and dimension of everything. Does 1/8th of an inch create an unfair advantage?

And what understanding should I squeeze out of Nextel Cup Director John Darby’s explanation, “the build of the shocks that the teams chose to use, is a direction that we’re not real fond of.”

Those smarter than I translate that to mean rather than using the shock as a ’shock absorber’ they were using it more like a ’spring’. A little trick (yet wholely legal) to keep the car up higher.

Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, plays his usual poker face hand. Chad was the smart-alec kid down the street that drove parents nuts. The guy will look you in the eye and lie to your face. Tell you sweet, pleasant things, but all the while playing the game.

“I’m still kind of confused because I don’t know what all the uproar is about because there was nothing wrong with the car,” he said. “It met the height requirements, the shocks were perfectly legal, there wasn’t anything wrong.

“If there was something wrong, there would have been fines, penalties, suspensions, whatever it is that they would deem necessary because they do such a good job of inspecting these cars.” – Chad (who-me-do-something-wrong?) Knaus

I think if the cars didn’t pass the first time through. They fail. Waiting 30 minutes for them to settle is wrong. It’s like me telling the cop to clock me again 10 miles down the road. I promise I won’t be speeding then.”

Summary:

Jeff Gordon finishes 37th in the MBNA Racepoints 400 at Dover International Speedway.

Since the May 14, 2005 race at Richmond, Gordon has only 4 Top 10 finishes. His average finish during that time is 23rd. 8 of the last 17 races he has finished 30th or worse.

His crew chief, Robbie Loomis, has split for Petty Enterprises. Things aren’t looking good at the Dupont #24 race team.

My Take:

I didn’t have high hopes for Jeff Gordon turning his season around at New Hampshire or Dover now that Robbie Loomis is gone. I haven’t been disappointed.

Unlike Dale Jr. who now can see the light at the end of the tunnel, things don’t look so good for Jeffy Boy.

I wonder if 2005 is the year that we watched Gordon crumble right before our eyes?

He certainly is ‘in a slump’. Will it last as long as Dale Jarrett’s and Bobby Labonte’s slump? The distance between dominance and collapse is so close in NASCAR.”

Summary:

Joe Nemechek spun and scraped the inside wall during the MBNA Racepoints 400 at Dover International Speedway.

It could have been a car smashing experience, but Joe keeps it (mostly) off the wall. He brings the car to a stop, sliding backwards into pit lane, and out of harms way. Joe finishes the race only 1 lap down.

My Take:

Joe is one heckofa driver. Over the years we’ve seen him save his car from the wickedest of spins and slides. That boy knows how to save his stuff. Way to go Joe!”

SUMMARY:

During a NA$CAR race, almost every inch of our television screens have some form of marketing brand, sponsorship or clever tag line filling it.

Take for instance the guy holding the giant VISA MBNA credit card during the victory lane celebration and post-race interview. He is perfectly orchestrated into every shot.

MY TAKE:

Yes, I know this race is the MBNA Racepoints 400. Visa put up the bucks for it, they should get their due.

The ubiquitous marketing at NASCAR events is phenomenal though. From the ‘chug points’ for the Coke, Pepsi or Gatorade drivers to the ‘Powerade-Victory-Lane Controversy’ we saw in 2004 to Elliott Sadler munching on M&M’s during an interview.

There is a line between brand exposure and the ridiculous.”

Quick. Recognize this guy? Yeah, me either.

He’s Philippe Lopez and he’s been crew chiefin’ for quite a while. His most recent gig was with Dave Blaney at Richard Childress Racing. Before that he has been with Steve Park, Ron Hornaday, Rick Mast, Darrell Waltrip, Hut Stricklin and Kenny Wallace.

Word is he’s been tapped by the new we-were-rich-quarterbacks-and-now-we-want-to-race duo of Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Staubach-Aikman, as you’ve probably heard, are planning a Nextel Cup team for 2006.

Since I’m a Fort Worth boy, I have high hopes for the pair’s venture into stock car racing. I hope their status lands them a good sponsor and they fare well. My pessimistic slant though, sees them running about as well as Haas (#0), PPI (#32) or BAM (#49). Their previous success on the field doesn’t mean a hill-of-beans against the big racing comglomerates (aka Roush & Hendrick.)”

This is cool.

Robby Gordon’s infamous helmet, he hurled at Michael Waltrip during the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, is up for auction on eBay. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Harrah’s Employees Relief Fund.

Helmet’s signed by Robby Gordon and Michael Waltrip. Guess Mikey’s not a very big ‘piece of s#!*’ after all. Nor, Robby.

Note: Auction ended 9/24/2005. Winning bid $51,100.00.”

Dale Jarrett gets a new crew chief. Again.

Actually, Jarrett gets his old crew chief back.

Todd Parrot is back to calling the shots for the #88 UPS car. Dale Jarrett is my favorite driver and I hope this is the missing link. Because, honestly, Dale performance has been horrible. The only way he gets a decent finish these days, is to make a good pit decision at the end of the race.

Here’s Dales stats for the last 10 years:

I’d love to see a return to his former racing ways. Todd may just be what turns it around. Good luck ya old fart.”

It had the feel of an old song that reminds you of a pleasant summer day. One of those memories where times are good, friends are close and things are fun.

Hunh?

No, I didn’t just hear Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant belt out “Stairway To Heaven”. I’m talking about Dale Earnhardt Jr. running in the front of the pack Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. It’s been a long time since that happened.

Although I don’t like Jr. It looks like the switch back is already a good thing.”

I thought it was safe to watch TV again.

I’m barely over Kanye West telling me that “President Bush doesn’t like black people.” Now I have a startling new revelation to grapple with, thanks to the quote machine, Robby Gordon.

“Everybody thinks Michael’s this good guy. He’s not the good guy like he acts he is. The caution was out and he wrecked me. He’s a piece of s#!%.” – Robby Gordon

It is a highly suspicious incident

Caution is out. We’re watching Mike Bliss up in the wall. Next thing you know Robby Gordon is on screen with his car 4′ shorter.

Mikey blames Robby for “driving like he is in the desert.” Robby blames Mikey for intentionally wrecking him. I don’t know who is to blame. I do know that Robby was hot.

I was telling my wife how Robby is the driver and owner. His cars are at a premium. Then we saw him linger on the track and you knew what was coming.

Was moving Tony Eury Jr. to the #15 team this year’s biggest mistake?

I think not.

It was a long, miserable year for Dale Jr., that’s for sure. But, maybe just what he (and Tony Jr.) needed to gain respect for each other.

Hopefully, both better understand the strengths and weaknesses they possess and can live in better harmony with each other (at least on race day.)”