I said right off the bat I wasn't complaining about him winning, and I acknowledged the 24 crew made a great call. What's the problem? I'n certainly not a Ryan Newman fan. I do have a problem with one race being called when the leader is about to be passed and another goes to the finish when there are multiple wrecks. It has nothing to do with Gordon winning, although I note that RCR and Hendricks seem to be on the receiving end of most of these NASCAR gifts. As for this race, Gordon might have had a lead but he wouldn't have had it for one more lap. As for letting off, you are supposed to race until the flag comes out. If in fact NASCAR threw the flag to prevent Newman from "stealing it", then that is even more egregious in my view. Bottom line, I think in this type of situation the old "race to the line" rule after a yellow makes more sense.
how come truex has been doing so well with the same team??? You guys are missing the point...Newman would not have made the run if it wasn't;t for JG pulling off seeing the flag coming....obviously, you race differently when you are way out front....
Gordon's stuff was used up, no brakes and about to run out of gas. without the yellow, he was toast, but that was their strategy and it worked out beautifully. I read on the NASCAR website that Hamlin was complaining bitterly about his own team's overly conservative approach. He clearly had the fastest car. The thing about the Chase this year is they reseed after the cutoff according to wins, so guys like Hmalin and Stewart without any wins will be basically out of it even if they finish in the top five before the reseeding unless they pick up a couple of wins before then.
Hamlin has the deal down cold. Unfortunately, he runs his mouth faster than he does his race car. Before the race, Denny lamented the lack of 'risk taking' on the part of his team. Then, when the chips were down, Hamlin chose to agree with his team's conservative call to take on 4 tires and fuel when near everyone else (except the #24 bunch) pitted for fuel only or fuel and two tires. As a result, Hamlin restarted 21st and never recovered. Maybe next time, Denny should check the mirror for someone to blame. With respect to Newman gaining ground on Gordon near the end, Ryan and Jeff both commented on how the #24 "whoa'd up" when rain hit the windshield of the Dupont Chevy. Seeing this, the #12 floored it in an attempt to skate the razor's edge (without wrecking) and possible 'get lucky' on a scoring loop deal. It didn't work out, and as a result, Ryan wasn't unhappy about the whole deal - according to his interview. Letarte (once again) made the call of the race, and just like Mears' win on fuel mileage, the fastest car doesn't always win. I hear whispers now that this kid Letarte is better than Evernham. While time (and Championships) will tell the tale eventually, gawd help the rest of the teams if the rumors are even half true. - Spydertrader
Sources: Earnhardt Jr. to drive for Hendrick in '08 http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2901813
Awful. I guess he could have joined a toyota team. That would have been worse. Jr's popularity will take a hit if this is true. In fairness, I think joining RCR would have put way too much pressure on the fun-loving Jr. We have to accept that he doesn't have the personality to drive the 3 car. One day someone will emerge who will, and we will know it. He may be driving some piece of crap sportsman ride right now, pulling it to races on a trailer behind his daddy's pickup. He'll be a guy who doesn't give an inch, who would use the bumper on his grandmother to win and who considers second place the "first loser." As Ironheart said, "They can't put it in you and they can't take it out of you."
This is interesting...Jr. Gambled and it really didn't;t pay off....BUT..he made such a wise move...you know he had to be watching Waltrip Racing and Toyota's disaster and was realizing....Im going to own 100% of NOTHING next year if i can;t qualify......He left a lot on the table at DEI and I thought he would come away with more then Kyle Bush's ride....i think in the end, the fact that he is an avg. driver at best left him with fewer options then he thought.
I plan to withhold any celabratory comments until the rumor becomes official, but if true .... Totally Awesome!! <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1498940>