Jerry Punch is winding-down his Nationwide Series activities for this season. The Saturday night race in Kentucky signals the point where only a handful of events remain on his schedule.
This is a big change from the previous years where Punch did double-duty once ESPN took over the Sprint Cup telecasts in late July. It will be Marty Reid stepping-in on July 25th to handle the rest of the Nationwide Series telecasts. Punch will concentrate solely on the Cup races.
On this day, the Nationwide Series has another opportunity to put on a good show without big brother overshadowing it. Although several Cup drivers flew from Michigan to Kentucky to race, there are some hungry Nationwide drivers looking for exposure on national TV and possibly a win.
Allen Bestwick and Brad Daugherty are working on the pre-race show with Rusty Wallace this week, who will then head upstairs to call the race. Wallace will join Punch and Andy Petree in the booth.
This race is going to be a very good test of just how ready Punch is to lead ESPN into the Sprint Cup Series. It is a stand-alone event in primetime without any other distractions. Punch, Wallace and Petree are "the show."
Shannon Spake is also off, so Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch will handle pit road. This may be a busy place for several reasons. After the race begins, the start and park cars will be leaving the track and the real action and strategy will begin. It should be interesting to see if and how ESPN acknowledges the "valet parkers."
ESPN still has the best triple-split in the business for caution flag pit stops. Pictures and sound are normally outstanding and this event should be no exception. The cars under the lights at this facility really put on a show.
The criticism of ESPN is that sometimes there is a script. Tonight should be a bit of a clash as the network promoted a possible Nationwide regular as a winner, but now faces the possibility of another dominant performance by Kyle Busch.
Either way, here we go. This post will serve to host your comments on the ESPN coverage of the Nationwide Series race from Kentucky. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
382 comments:
1 – 200 of 382 Newer› Newest»JD
How many people who suffer from Kyle Busch Derangement syndrome are going to suffer an aneurysm in the next 90 minutes? I mean,really, this is too much. Two races inside a couple of hours? How much can a person take?
I hope Mr. Alligator gets some love tonight :)
And once again...he did not win!
The likely S&P tonight are 49, 0, 90, 05, 79, 10, 26 and 41.
During qualifying, they said Jeff Green wasn't eligible for the champion's provisional because he wasn't the original driver assigned to car #91 at the time of entry deadline (approx. 13 days before the race).
This could be the case, but even if he had been originally assigned to that car, he used a provisional at Talladega and, as per the rule in the Nationwide Series, he's not eligible for the provisional until Loudon in 2 weeks.
Jamie is rocking the big hair! Someone get a rubber band.
Nothing could be worse than the trucks, that was tough to watch earlier today.
Hey, Bestwick is not ducking any issues tonight...wow.
No he's not JD :)
He's making sure we get our answers :)
That was a great way to clear the air before the race, regardless of Rusty's answer!
26 I dont think will S&P. Don't know about the 05 because it has a sponsor I think. If Stanton can fix the car, they will give it a go, but the rest I would agree with MV.
Nice to see them discuss everything...Lets just hope some of the guys who NEED some coverage and love tonight get it.
I personally did not like Brad's response to that Georgetown v. Howard rivalry. That is not what Gaughan meant, imo. I agree let's move on, but I didn't expect that out of Brad.
Im going to give Brendan the benefit of the doubt here. I've listened to him on SIRIUS and other shows, and he is hardcore on that Georgetown thing. I don't take what he said as being racial but that is just my two cents on it. I do think more was made out of this then what it probably was and Rusty has a point about getting suspended for hearsay if that was indeed the case but it is what it is for the time being.
Awesome piece on Leicht
@David - The 26 is a back-up car borrowed from MacDonald Motorsports, I think Brian said in the qualifying coverage that he just wanted to run a few laps just to protect his guaranteed starting spot.
The 05 has the Nationwide Dash 4 Cash decal on the hood, which is also present on 4 other cars.
The 79 may be using the 31 car which failed to qualify. Either way, I don't think Rick Ware Racing intended to run a full race with either of his 3 cars.
How is it Steven L doesn't have a ride, but CUP drivers in the NW series do? This is just wrong.
If the 79 IS the 31, they will run the full race. That was the plan from the start I imagine. They have struggled to make races this year but when they have, they have tried their best to run the full deal. The car is fully sponsored so I think they'll have to give it a go for those guys. Did not hear that about Brian since I was racing online today during qualifying so that makes sense they would S&P or at least get to the first stop.
Dot...sponsors. Double edged sward, you want to sponsor a good car and a good team, but that owner and sponsor can't wait for a driver to develop if Cup guys are going to run every week so sponsors go the safe route and support Cup drivers since its a no brainer they will get discussed, get tv time, and run up front. I am VERY thankful to the folks at Northern Tool though for being Erik's sponsor while Discount has continued support of Ragan. Really hope that turns into a full time deal for Erik next season, and I pray RCR can put something together for Steven as well as Austin.
I like the standalones because you can see these guys, but I dont support an all out ban on Cup guys because what no one realizes is ticket sales will plummet when that happens, sponsors will get scared and some will back out, and purses will drop...thus why I support the 2005 version of the Kevin Harvick Plan To Fix the Busch Series: More standalone dates, 3 or 4 more would be enough that Cup guys wouldn't race for the championship, yet would run enough races to keep some butts in the stands and sponsors in the series while allowing the full time teams to reap the rewards of the championship fund.
Wow - very nice anthem. Its the first one that was sung I didn't mute, in a long time.
That's how the National Anthem should be done. Someone with a high quality voice not hawking their latest record.
@Dot--the fact that they're Cup drivers is all they need. Outside of team cars, there are other teams who will bring in a Cup driver because that's what the sponsors want. When Terry Bradshaw was still an owner with Armando Fitz, gosh about 4 years or so ago, he was being interviewed on Fox before one of the races about Buschwacking. Terry said he *hated* the Buschwackers (and before anyone could say "But what about Sterling?") he said that he had a Cup driver in the car because that's what the sponsors wanted. Sterling didn't take a dime for his Busch efforts so all the money won went back to the team.
Great anthem !!!
Frank in Sebring
Great anthem !!!
Frank in Sebring
Great anthem !!!
Frank in Sebring
Great anthem !!!
Frank in Sebring
The easiest way to fix it - only full time N'wide drivers are eligible for championship. If they drive 10 or more Cup races - no Champ in N'wide. Simple.
@ David, I know, I know. But, I still think it's wrong.
Back in the 90s, there were one or two CUP drivers in the series. Now it's half the field (when they're at the same track). Where are the next CUP drivers going to come from?
@ Jo, Great idea. You would think NASCAR would adopt some of our rule changes.
Then you run into something I don't agree with which is giving a guy a championship who honestly didnt rack up the most points. The guy that really has the 4th best season "wins" the championship by default...
Frank, like the anthem did ya? hehe..
I wish they'd scrap the in-race reporter. It's never worked for me yet.
Don't know what caused my last post to come up 4 times. Either my computer went stupid or the human brain to keyboard interface went nuts.
Sorry,Frank in Sebring
Looks like they fixed the #79 car, I'm pretty sure the #31 didn't have that Circle K blue and red paint scheme.
Dot, back in the 90's you only had a handful of comapnion races, you ran at South Boston, Merytle Beach, PPIR, Nazereth, and other type tracks that weren't big market places...
You also raced for peanuts in the series. The more companion races they added, the more this problem grew. NASCAR created this monster. Lining pockets has this effect...
MV, it was listed under the same sponsor though
@ David, don't the CUP guys run NW for the fun of it? How are the regulars going to rack up points when they don't have a snowball's chance of winning? I'm not arguing with you, BTW.
And, now for the race comments.....
No CCs?
Dot, most do. But the guys that run the full schedule do so for one reason and one reason only, the championship.
@Dot - I guess we know who the first 3 S&P will be.
@Dot - hopefully we fans get a "meeting" where NASCAR will listen.
LOL! No worries Frank. Sometimes Blogger gets confuzzled and hiccups :)
Russell's sailing already
@ David excuse me -;) if a Cupper doesn't get points -it goes to a driver who is eligible to get points period.
Not someone in 4 th place
Poor Stephen :(
49, 10, 41, 05 in the garage.
Dang it, caution for Stephen L.
@ MV, now the rest of the S&Ps will be pulling off.
@ Jo, don't we wish?
ESPN == Worldwide Leader in Doom & Gloom No need to spread the GM rumor & speculation during the pre-race.
@Robyn - According to Live Leaderboard, that would be 79 instead of 49.
Thats a new S&P reason lol no CC.
oops:
That should have been 79, 10, 41, 05 in the garage by lap 5.
@MV- I just noticed that. That's what happens when I can't see what I am typing.
Jo, you know ESPN would do a "what if" version of points and if it showed 3 cup guys top 3 in points and your "Nationwide Champ" 4th...what would people say then?
Now the Cup guys to run, boosted YOUR purse in the series, YOUR championship purse, and made the series richer by being there, arent entitled to what they earned on the track? Legal battle waiting to happen.
Big reason why they went away from that idea because mid way through last year they had floated an idea to Cup drivers that if you were in the top 35 in Cup points you wouldnt be eligible for any NW points.
I totally get what your saying and Im for seeing it, but its on NASCAR to change the schedule rather than boot Cup guys from the series or tell them they will race for free.
Somebody please give me a muzzle for that Billy Mays???
I just heard on our local TV that the FCC is going to make a rule that commercials must be the same volume as regular TV. That should quiet this obnoxious guy.
Why no DFR in NW? Its not that hard to implement!
I liked not having the ticker to start the race
90 has parked.
jo, less experienced drivers, nascar wants to work the bugs out in cup first
Kill the boxes w/ borders bspn - more racing less borders please
@jojaye--I thought they said there were going to implement it within a few weeks for N'wide & the Pick 'em Ups
26 has parked it, just like he said in qualifying.
So 6 valet parkers making some $ and going home.
NNS should be restricted to a developmental / small budget league only.
26 in on lap 12.
Wouldn't it make more sense to work the bugs out for the DFR in the NW races?
They can let the Cup guys race, but they don't get points and can't win the championship. The race promoters want the Cup guys because they put behinds in the seats. But I'm getting tired of Shrub winning all the time. It's not fair to the little guys.
And don't get me started on the media hyped 200 wins business. No way should they count all the races Shrub wins towards total Nascar wins. Talk to me when Shrub gets 200 Cup wins, not 200 wins total when 60% of those wins come in truck and Nationwide.
i know its early, but a glimpse through the field might be nice
49 and 0 are usually S&P, but they're still out there. 0 has a sponsor this week and 49 has a new driver. They must be trying harder tonight because of that.
I was surprised to see the 10 with Chad Blount. Marc Davis and his sponsors were supposed to be in the 10 tonight. Blount hasn't started a race since 2005 and the 10 usually parks when the hood and rear fenders are blank.
Per JP, SDDD has only 2 laps on the car before the race. How many would he need to run? Good grief, he is a CUP driver. Time for that script to change.
@ dar, just wait until JP brings up that SDDD has 1 more win than Ned Jarrett.
I don't know what the 26's lease agreement was on that car, but I doubt they could afford to replace it if they wrecked it. And as loose as he was, it's probably a good thing that he parked. He was a wreck waiting to happen.
So far:
79, 10, 41, 05, 90, 26, 58
are in the garage.
Kenny Wallace is -4 laps.
@ MV, I wonder what the 10s story is about????
Marc Davis wasn't supposed to be in the 10 tonight, according to Nascar Now. They said he's not going to be in a car for the foreseeable future because he lacks a sponsor.
Braun will have a locked in car since they have to attempt every race to keep their qualifying exemption. since the car runs so well when reutimann and other guys in the car, they can afford to show up, park the car and go home without falling outside the top 30 in owners points. also he can allow another team to supply the car, crew, and driver but just slap a #10 on it like they did with marc davis, call himself the owner when in reality none of the equipment is his, and score points for the #10 which benefits him.
its pretty smart actually
My guess is when Davis pulled out, they got whoever to put in the car. The interesting thing was a few hours before practice, Marc Davis tweeted that he was getting ready for Kentucky. Then at practice, he's not there.
Looks like Kenny Wallace is off for some reason.
Start & Park...Rusty Van Gundy not talking about his brother Kenny with any love....a sex enhancing ad run two times under the first two cautions...& Bruton working the program! Welcome to the Nationwide Series...Cup Race? wow lobby time....
@Dot - Could have something to do with the controversy with the 62, the press release said Davis was going to be in the 10 for Dover, Nashville, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Gateway and ORP.
Didn't know Blount would drive it until yesterday and the car is a Dollar General car without the decals. I think the one Davis drove was prepared by his own team with the #10 on it.
According to Michael McDowell, the 28 was spewing oil. That would be the 3rd engine failure in 4 races.
Nice try Jerry!
It took Bruton longer to get to the booth than they talked to him.
@ Gymmie & darbar - Back when (Elvis was really alive) - the Busch series ran Myrtle Beach raceway - we used to time our vacation for the races. It was a great small venue to meet & see the up & coming drivers - NASCAR really needs to admit the mistake & take the trucks & N'wide back to its roots. And leave some of the companion races as bad memories
24 Eric McClure looks to be out, that must be a genuine failure, they don't usually park early.
hi gang! late to the party -- just in time for bruton smith. did they actually say 70,000 at the track tonight?
hey darbar? congrats on your penguins! way to close out the season. here's hoping you somehow get a chance to see lord stanley's cup with all those penguins names on it!
79, 10, 41, 05, 90, 26, 58, 24 parked. 28 out due to engine problems?
49 Kevin Hamlin looks like he's pulling off the track.
False alarm, 49 is back on track.
Jojaye, I totally agree with you. What do these Cup guys get out of racing every race in Nationwide and truck? I know for Shrub it's just to tweak his ego, but for others? If the Cup guys would step aside, and the sponsors would stay around, they could really use the Nationwide as a training ground for newbies-----like Danica? Did you hear on Sirius that Danica is talking with Ganassi.
If only S&P were treated with the same honesty as all other issues were by AB in pre show, it would be nice! Do they honestly think we are to stupid to notice the shrinking field?
@ Anon 9:10, excuse my ignorance but, who is Van Gundy?
@ dar, re: Danica going to Ganassi. That's her stepping stone to NASCAR.
I'll take the 24 off the parked list and put it on the out list since they are not a S&P car normally.
@MV- I think that you are correct about who prepared the 10 car. That;s why it is interesting that Braun had a 10 ready to go for practice, unless they used Lamar's back up car.
@ darbar - that would get media off JR s backside LOL KB would go nutz - media would ignore him too! LOL
Does anyone think any of these guys would ever begin a discussion on the fact that one or both of the supporting series might shut down? I mean, who wants to watch races where 40% or more of the cars are out before the first 50 laps?
79, 10, 41, 05, 90, 26, 58, 49, 07 parked. 24 and 28 off for other reasons.
dar...when you think about it its the ONLY move that makes sense for her and the owner alike. Owner has car that needs driver and sponsor, driver wants more exposure. No other owner has an open car that would be willing to take that risk.
Look...a field update!
@Robyn - If Davis pulled out of the deal at the last minute, that is very likely Lamar's back-up. When Braun brings a blank car to park, it's usually the burgundy Beringer car that Reutimann drove at California and Texas. Kelly Bires drove (and parked) that car twice.
not only an update but it started at the 11th place and is right now at 17th.
cousin carl sounds out of breath. . .
Come on Carl E, you're a CUP driver, suck it up.
Dot:
A inside reference to the NBA final where the color analyst (Jeff) is the brother of the coach
(Stan) in the finals...Rusty acts like Kenny dosen't exist....
9 cars parked, 2 out for real reasons by lap 40. No mention of any of them.
Thanks Anon. The name sounded familiar. Didn't know why.
@Robyn - Is 26 parked for good? It's only showing OFF on ESPN.
MV they have parked the blank yellow car before too...
at least the racing is pretty good...
@MV- Haven't been following the ticker. I've been using a leaderboard. Last lap completed for the 26 was lap 12.
@ MV, off/out means the same thing. If it's an Odd Wad they're not coming back.
Dot said...
Come on Carl E, you're a CUP driver, suck it up.
June 13, 2009 9:22 PM
----
Too funny too true!
ok, so that was interesting: can someone explain why the cowl flap on the right side just came up on the 88 car? i thought those only lifted when there was serious aero inequality across the hood (as in a wreck situation.) were we just seeing the result of the infamous "air being taken off the nose" moment right there? i don't recall seeing that before.
you are correct red. watch a restrictor plate race...you'll see it a TON on an onboard
@david: thanks. i suppose i knew it happened all the time but it really stood out on that 88 car. maybe it's those go daddy colors . . .
Kenny_Wallace We were running really good! 17th. And blew the motor up...big time.. Rods hanging out the oil pan..bummer!!
@red - It's not uncommon for the cowl flaps to lift when two cars are close together, the air goes straight from the spoiler to the next car's windshield or roof and creates lift on the hood and cowl.
Where's "draft lock" when we need it? :)
Hey Frank, being told the SPEED guys are in Charlotte and voicing over the feed of the race. Only the pit reporters and some producers are on-site for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
@ MV, bite your fingers!
MV: we NEVER need draft track!! ; )
Sorry, guys! I hope nobody from ESPN is reading! :)
26 is back on track, they were really just OFF.
Why in the heck can't ESPN2 run that stupid scoreboard at the bottom once every so often? Why not the 28 and 58 after the hour like ESPN used to do? There's no reason for them to run those scores.
@MV- you were right about the 26. Maybe they were waiting to see how many laps they needed to pass all the other S&P cars so that they could earn maximum points.
@darbar; sometimes, when i watch nascar on espn, i feel as if i'm watching it in "letterbox version."
still think it's sad that dale sr can't be featured in that nationwode insurance ad . . .
ok, that clearly is "nationwide", not "nationwode." time to stop trying to type while having a drink of wine, i guess.
Just got home from a late dinner and we are watching the NW start and it looks like pretty good crowds in the stands. We watched the 24 Hours of Lemans at the restaurant and that race is only half over now and very good coverage from Speed!
I have email from viewers who tape pieces of paper over the bottom of the TV screen when they watch on ESPN.
Apparently, some folks do not need to know the pitching match-ups for the next days baseball games...imagine that!
what the heck was that?
cut away from triple pits for what?
Red, you're so right on that. I just don't understand why they need all that crap on the screen. All the fans want is the crawl on the top with the leaderboard.
Maybe Teresa didn't give permission to use Dale Sr's image. She guards his legacy very carefully.
JD, now that's funny. I can't imagine taping my 60 inch plasma no matter how obnoxious their baseball scores are.
@Robyn - With Harmon and McClure just listed as OFF, Keselowski may pull it in at 36 laps, 13 laps from now.
Red Letterbox that's it I knew that screen size looked familar. The triple pits take up the same amount of space as my 19inch in the bedroom, lose the dead space on the side and use the entire screen already.
Field was getting to spread out. Have we seen any debris?
Here's an idea for the CUP drivers in NW. Make them drive the Odd Wad cars. No CUP affiliation. See how well they do.
@ dar, but think of the money Theresa would make. Nationwide for that matter too.
Vickers and Reutimann do well in the Braun cars. No Cup affiliation there.
That's why I don't have an issue with Harvick racing in the NW series - he races his own team with regular NW pit crew.
Dot, I love the Odd Wad car idea. But I don't think Shrubbie would consent to driving a sub par vehicle. Can you imagine his hissy fit for that?
RE: The ticker on the bottom.
ESPN has it on all their channels. I see no reason why they should remove it for NASCAR.
@ Robyn, there you go. I know Braun isn't really an Odd Wad. Just not enough coverage.
If they play Green Day one more time I will pull my hair out of my head. Why can't they use a general ESPN Speedworld theme like they used to long ago?
@ Anon, pause the race and go buy a wig.
Re: Danica and Ganassi she may be insurance. Because if Scott Dixon goes to the team that Gil de Ferran is reportedly starting he could be left without a second marquee driver. Dixon drove the de Ferran Acura here at Sebring.They are good friends, that is the impression I got when I spoke with him during the open test. He was in hotel lounge and we talked racing and airplanes for about an hour.
Sorry for getting off topic but I couldn't help myself I'm pathetic.
Frank in Sebring
@dot and darbar: in fact, mrs earnhardt did, in fact, refuse permission for the use of her husband's image in that ad. that's what so sad.
Vicky D said...
"That's why I don't have an issue with Harvick racing in the NW series - he races his own team with regular NW pit crew."
so maybe that's a first step in reducing the number of cup drivers in n'wide. require the team to follow the harvick example: race with a separate n'wide team and pit crew. and i'd toss in: and only use a n'wide driver, not one of your cup buddies.
@ Frank, You're not pathetic. I always enjoy when we go OT. That's how I learn about other racing. Now, JD might not like it. (love you JD).
JD,
I had to chuckle about "taping paper over the crawl". I just re-taped my strip of brown wrapping paper across my 46" screen--was too lazy to do it before your reminder. It does drive me nuts!
@ red, thanks for the NW info and Theresa.
I agree that KHI should get a pass in "our" rules for CUP drivers in NW. That's how it should be done.
Dan wants to know, is the 23 a Braun car?
Those in-car shots at night are tough to look at with the bright lights from the track shining so bright.
JD, I figured that out when Dave DeSpain joined them in the booth.
Frank in Sebring
JD,
The best news I've heard all night was that Marty Reid will be replacing Punch in NW come August.
Big reset at halfway coming up. Hopefully, from Bestwick.
Karen, should be interesting to see what 2010 brings....ya know?
The 23 is not a Braun car, as far as I know.
Hi all.
Been pulling my hair out for over 2 hours making music copies and trying to make an updated Demo CD for a band. Even tho my new laptop is xP it screws me out of free things one used to be able to do for free, so on old laptop with broken hinge, duct tape and a C Clamp to hold things together. Just like NASCAR car.
Anyway, sorry I missed all the info and whatever Brad said about the comments fromm last week. and the Anthem and the race...but darned distracted.
cars look good at Sparta I even missed Bruton? Wow, I had the tv muted much of the time to save my brain confusion.
Another spin on the grass, few cars.
Yep. One series down and one to go.
Who was that for the 09 telling him to come over the grass? He could have nearly caused another wreck.
Daly Planet Editor said...
Karen, should be interesting to see what 2010 brings....ya know?
ahhh, jd, if i'm reading you correctly, weren't we saying that at the end of 2008 season when we were discussing '09?
@Dot - 23 is R3 Motorsports (R3 stands for Robert Richardson Racing).
@darbar - Sounded like crew chief talking to Townley.
red, perhaps JD has some inside info he's not sharing. Got my fingers crossed.
@ red, what you said. Got our hopes up and everything.
Broken record time. Why does DJ get all the time off and not JP? Are they paid when they're on vacation? Maybe JP needs the money in this economy.
Thanks MV.
@karen: we can only hope, eh?
What is tonight's trophy? Anything breakable?
@ dar, I wondered the same thing. Maybe it's made out of rubber.
Just catching up on the race...while reading through the comments I still think the best way to reduce the number of Cup guys in the NW races while strengthening the truck series is to run the NW and trucks together at different tracks than the cup guys. The cup guys can stand alone. I still like to see a few cup guys in the field, but don't want to see them win the championships. There could be rules made as far as number of total races you could run in the top 3 series combined that would eliminate cup guys going for championships in the other series'.
@ Darbar...as someone who is from Michigan and a life long Detroit sports fan, I am still in shock that Pittsburg was able to take 4 out of 5 from Detroit after being down 2-0.
Looks like 26 Keselowski parked it after completing 3 more laps than 49 Hamlin.
red, they made a big change when ESPN dumped the IRL except for a couple of races. That made Marty available.
If he does a good job....who knows?
@darbar: that's just flat-out funny right there! i laughed so loud i woke up the sleeping golden retriever at my feet!
@ Haus14, your comment to red. My hope is that the Magic do the same to the Lakers.
Nice job Jerry, now through the field.
According to JP only 11 cars are out of the race being or being worked on. I count 13.
NASCAR should withhold the purse money if a car doesn't complete at least 33% of the laps. It may hurt some drivers who get into trouble early, but it'll put an end to the mess they have now.
JD, regarding your tweet about the ticker...even "Kobe Doin' Work" got a ticker free screen last night.
jd, we can only hope. as i've said before, i think jerry punch deserves the first spot in the nascar hall of fame, broadcasters wing. i hate it that his latest assignment detracts from that.
and marty would be interesting. i like his style and enjoy hearing him.
we shall see.
off topic but . . . 6 flags has filed for bankruptcy! will this madness never end?!?
seriously, i wonder if people are going to be more upset about this bankruptcy than any of the others so far?
@Anon 10:03 - Then, the S&P would run 33% +1 lap and then park it. The ones suffering from this "no payout" rule would be the ones with legitimate issues like an early accident or a blown engine.
In Cup, the S&P typically run 40 to 60 laps, but in Nationwide a bunch of them only run about 5 or 10. It would cost them a little more to run 60 instead of 10, but they would do it just to pick up the paycheck.
Thank you guys!
Dot, these constant reminders about ABC coverage of NBA Finals is killing me. And, Brad, it's not over yet.
NBA? ;)
darbar said...
What is tonight's trophy? Anything breakable?
June 13, 2009 9:57 PM
***************
Geez, now I have to wipe up the iced tea.
It's really sad when I get more info here, and from the leaderboard.
wait, what?! shane huffman is a crew chief now? seriously? shane huffman? what the heck are HIS credentials for being a crew chief? he was an ok driver but . . . really?
guess there's no bench strength at rusty's shop.
red,
You may remember that Mark Shapiro, the number three guy at ESPN resigned to take over Six Flags with Danny Snider, the owner of the Washington Redskins.
Their vision of how to change things to appeal to more families did not work out...at all.
JD
Does Trevor Bayne's family have money that's the second time I've seen Mikey's NW 99 with no sponsor and Bayne was it it, or prehaps he's inexpensive?
JD, the 6 Flags here in Texas had a knock-down drag-out fight to get a license to sell beer in designated spots. Thought the DFW area was going up in flames over it.
Red Shane Huffman has been with Rusty for is while now. He's been the car chief for at least a year, I've read/saw somewhere that Rusty thinks he's helped settle Steven down
Daniel Snyder doesn't know how to run anything. At least that's what all my friends who are Redskins fans say.
jd, i did not know that. so now, i gotta say: a $1.8 billion (with a B, billion!) debt makes more sense to me. accoring to cnn, company made $275 million in '08 and shapiro says it "performed well."
perhaps he needs to modify his definition of "performing well"?
I'm with you Karen. Do they show the NW spots during the b ball games? I don't watch them.
@ JD, the 6 flags in CA turned into gang heaven. Families would only go in the day, if at all.
ESPN's NASCAR coverage sucks. Their NHRA coverage earlier today at Englishtown was pretty good though.
Red, Kentucky Speedway easily gets 65-70K in attendance. I've been to 2 Nationwide(Busch) races there and it is the largest stand alone Nationwide race on the schedule. great facility that could expand to over 100K in 6 mos if they get a race. So I'm sure Bruton was right on the money regarding the attendance.
@NRF - Remember Gary Bechtel from the old #29 Diamond Ridge Motorsports? He's a co-owner of Tommy Baldwin's Cup team and he's the one financing Bayne's efforts in Nationwide Series. I thought I had heard Bayne was a DEI development driver, but Bechtel must have brought in quite a bit of money to take over his development.
nrf: i sorta lost track of huffman when he was fired from jrm a while back. i guess i assumed he was still racing somewhere. never read/heard that he's landed with rusty. sure caught me by surprise, i'll tell you what!
@ red, Shapiro must be using NASCARs definition of "well".
Does anyone in the powers-that-be category see that if the Shrubster weren't in every race, that there is some amazing racing going on? If he weren't around, the Nationwide races could be really fantastic to watch.
@NRF...has Trevor Bayne been in the car when Ken Butler III was running? He has the Aarons sponsorship that is usually on the 99.
@Dot - I was watching ESPN (Sports Center) and ESPN Classic, and ESPN News this morning. I saw commercials for the NW series on all 3 channels.
Although ... I'm glad to see that they appreciate the talent Justin Allgaier has.
@ red to nrf, you are killing me.
Thanks MV I was a little confused about the deal. Guess it's more money in MWR pocket. That and Mikey hitching rides on everyone elses plane.
Dot, actually they did advertise NW race several times. ESPN on ABC for Finals.
Haus yes tonight don't remember last week
MV is right. Botchel is funding the #99 team. Basically he is paying MWR to field the car. Trevor is no longer associated with DEI's developmental process and is NOT an MWR developmental driver. MW has the seat, the car was open, so they paid MWR to field the car.
Much like when Todd Braun allowed the Davis team to use the #10's owners points last week is what is going on with the #99. Only in this case the whole team is on lease for Bayne
@ Robyn, thank you. But what about ABC?
@ dar, If not for TDP, I probably wouldn't watch NW because of SDDD. I actually converse here more than watch the race.
@Haus - Bayne and Butler are both running tonight. Butler's sponsorship is independent of MWR's sponsorship, since Butler is the son of Aaron's owner.
OK, that comment by Punch about how a car can go bad so quickly, was it just a way to get Rusty to talk about Carl's car, or is he really that dumb and doesn't realize that a car's handling can go away in a second?
Haus, as a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan, I was thrilled, and surprised, beyond belief. I never thought the Wings superior defense would not be able to stop a Crosby-less Pens team.
Don't you just love the infoe here. Thanks everyone.
The main reason this race coverage isn't bad even though KB is running away with it again. They are basically ignoring him.
Thanks, Karen.
Doesn't Bechtel own Gililland's (sp?) car?
Dot said
If not for TDP, I probably wouldn't watch NW because of SDDD. I actually converse here more than watch the race.
June 13, 2009 10:20 PM
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Amen, sister, amen.
@Dot- Don't watch many other sports. I was bored this morning before the 24 hrs. of Le Mans came on.
did humpy wheeler end up in new hampshire: "a tyrannosaurus eating a car" as part of a nascar weekend?
(and don't forget: a concert by *some version of* three dog night!)
Kevin Buckler is the owner of Gilliland's car in Cup.
@Haus14 - Aaron's alternates between the 23 of Butler and the 99 of Waltrip, never both at the same time. I think Aaron's has only sponsored Waltrip when he's in the 99, any other driver just fills the schedule for Michael. I'm not sure how many races Scott Speed is doing with Red Bull, other than that Patrick Carpentier is signed for Montreal with NAPAm, since they sponsor the race too.
Any other standalone events might be run with Bayne and he has no sponsorship.
You guys are so daggone smart!
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