Saturday, July 18, 2009

Live Blogging NASCAR's Saturday Night Doubleheader


First up on Saturday are the Camping World Trucks from Kentucky Speedway. As usual, it will be Krista Voda and The Set-Up that begins the coverage. This week, the pre-race show is at 6:30PM and the race begins shortly after 7PM ET.

Play by play veteran Rick Allen will be joined by analysts Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip. On pit road will be Adam Alexander and Ray Dunlap. This is SPEED's experienced truck series team and the race should be exciting.

The Nationwide Series is the nightcap of the doubleheader and is racing this week at Gateway near St. Louis, MO. The announcing switch has happened and Marty Reid will be calling the remaining Nationwide Series races on ESPN for the rest of the season.

This may be exactly what the series needs to get some momentum going down the stretch. Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree are working with Reid this week and they should be fired-up for this stand-alone Nationwide Series race.

On pit road are Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Mike Massaro. Most of the heavy hitters are on vacation for this last weekend before the big grind to the finish begins for the NASCAR on ESPN team.

Once again, it will be fun to watch two networks take a very different approach to the same sport. The informality and good humor of SPEED will be an interesting contrast to the suits and ties of the ESPN gang.

This post will serve to host your comments on the two races tonight. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting.

Thanks for stopping by to watch these two races with us on the weekend.

453 comments:

  1. Whoa, the alligator got lOOOOOOOOse!

    Glad we got Marty and Andy. Not stoked about Rusty but it is what it is.

    #47 with a sponsor on the hood, willing to bet its still a start and parl

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  2. How about a Morgan Shepherd interview on ESPN?

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  3. Well there goes my theory about qualifying being broadcast at the same time due to track ownership. For some reason I had it in my mind that the trucks were racing in Kansas this weekend. Duh.

    --KarenB

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  4. Here's just another example of the continued stupidity of those who run Nascar, and their partners in crime, ESPN. Why, oh why, are they starting a race after 9:30pm Eastern? And people wonder why the Nationwide series is in trouble? It's because of decisions like this---despite the fact that this is a Saturday race, 9:30 is far too late to start a race.

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  5. Anyone having some audio hits or is it just the nasty South Florida t-storms?

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  6. Why didn't they schedule the NW & Truck races for the same track?

    NW Qual and Truck Prerace are overlapping. NW Prerace overlaps with the end of the Truck race.

    And they wonder why ratings are down.

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  7. Stanton Barrett knocked out of this race and b/c of no qualifying at ORP won't race next week. I don't like that much at all.

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  8. Interesting situation -- a tie for the pole between Reed and Brad. Brad gets it because he is ahead in points.

    Since it was a NEW TRACK RECORD, I wonder if they both the record?

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  9. P.S. Plus Barrett is not a S&P'er.

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  10. @ dar, does make you wonder, doesn't it?

    I read that all TV times are listed in EST/EDT mode because that side of the country is more populated. If this is true, why indeed would they start a race @ 9:30 EDT? Surely they couldn't be catering to the west side of the country like they say about CUP races starting later.

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  11. My audio is just fine, JD, and has been during the entire broadcast. Must be the t-storms.

    --KarenB

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  12. Got some news from SPEED. Darrell Waltrip will be Dave Despain's guest on Wind Tunnel and the co-host of the show will be Robin Miller. Wow.

    Think the outstanding line-up from ESPN for Monday's NASCAR Now might have pushed this along? Hmmmm...

    JD

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  13. He's a professional singer, right???

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  14. Kentucky has the second-highest purse on the CWTS schedule? Who knew?

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  15. He's a professional singer, right???

    Bevo, could've fooled me.

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  16. Is Rusty doing all the NW races?

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  17. Hornaday and I have one thing in common - I've had an illegal rear end for a couple of seasons now. Need to drop this weight soon.

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  18. Bevo, I think used to be a professional might be more appropriate.

    Frank in Sebring

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  19. When Lee Greenwood came to my town he turned the whole place out for his concert.

    Should have had him sing God Bless the USA.

    JD

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  20. Boy I can't believe that was Lee Greenwood! NORMALLY, I just love his songs, not sure what's wrong here?

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  21. JD

    Last week on WT or at least WT EXTRA online, Robin Miller was announced as a co-host with Despain. I always look forward to RM :)

    DW should have some interesting opinions

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  22. Hi all ! Robin & DW & Despain, oh my lol.

    Nice to have Mikey back in booth for trucks, he just energizes it.

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  23. Truck races NEED to get rid of that dreadful always there and annoying electric GUITAR music when boys are talking

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  24. yeah Lee hit a couple of flat notes there but it was ok at least it went fast. It's also raining here in Houston (finally) so I wonder if that will upset the race in St. Louis . . . .

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  25. The Nationwide race will have at least 9 S&P's: #0, 10, 47, 49, 73, 85, 90, 91, 96.

    The sad part is in that group there is a former champion (#85 Jeff Green), Daytona 500 winner (#73 Derrike Cope), Busch Series winner (#0 Mike Wallace), & 2 talented rising stars (#47 Kelly Bires & #91 Chase Miller) forced to Start & Park.

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  26. Yay! Robin Miller on Wind Tunnel! That man should have a more regular gig on WT. He and Kenny Schrader should be taking turns as Despain's sidekick.

    --KarenB

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  27. Let's see if Rick mentions it like Ralph Sheheen did on the TNT Cup Series races.

    Rick and I exchanged emails over that topic. We disagree...

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  28. re: Anthem

    that was disappointing..why he modulated it (changed to HIGHER key) after the beginning was a first for me as well. Not the pipes he used to have. Tough song to sing but still

    Dark here and I hope the weather in SPARTA is ok..they are about 90 minutes from here...been dark and spotty showers all day but DIVINELY COOL..low 70s!:)

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  29. @VickyD- but he added 50 notes that I don't believe have ever been heard by humans before :)

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  30. Apparently Robin Miller has been fired WAY too many times, can go off like a cannon and be crude..thus he won't be getting a show soon.

    I asked him about getting a free internet show but he said he's too mean if left on his own. :)

    I disagree..I find him hilarious even when spouting off on tv in his columns, on radio (the rare time I heard him on an Indy station recently) or in email.

    He can be a sweetie and a real gentleman in email.

    SPEED should really give him a chance but he will NOT tow a company line. SHAME we can't have free spirits

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  31. I can't count - Dot is correct 3 trucks off.

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  32. Commercials just about blasted me to the next room!

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  33. WT real quick off topic

    You guys ever listen to the EXTRA 30 minutes on the internet after WT leaves SPEED? Except for the annoying rotating circle cam, it's great. NO COMMERCIALS and due to copyrights, can't play much video so you just give Dave and calls, emails or sometimes a guest. He mentione Robin Miller as the EXTRA guest..you get more WT in 30 minutes online than an HOUR with commercials.

    Now back to the Truck race.

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  34. Pinks' stinks.

    Can't believe they have commercials with that guy.

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  35. @jojaye- as bad as TNT last weekend

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  36. It's amazing we can read TWEETS from astronauts in space as we watch the race, but the British Open went black a few seconds a few times today on two different tvs.

    BTW GO TOM WATSON.

    9 S&P listed? wow.

    Wonder what the crowd is tonight in SPARTA

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  37. Speaking of SPEED, every time that commercial for the Thursday night "Big Block" comes on, I think to myself how I obviously don't fit into their demographic, since I don't say "dude" every sentence, and I don't have a hammer in my head.

    For some reason, this fact makes me feel good.

    --KarenB

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  38. Already lots of trucks down multiple laps. So far good broadcast.

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  39. Is the ARCA race really live. The guide shows (D). I'm so confused.

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  40. David was already a lap down but got the LD. Why doesn't Nascar change the pit rules and restart to DFR SOS! This double pitting is such a waste of time.

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  41. @dot - The ARCA site says SPEED is carrying the race live.

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  42. @ Dot

    My guide shows live coverage starting at 6:30 PT, right after the truck race.

    --KarenB

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  43. My guide says ARCA 2008. What the heck?

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  44. Check out JD's Saturdayy schedule at Daly Planet :)

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  45. Thanks guys. I guess if the track is lighted, ARCA will be live.

    Now, which race do we watch NW or ARCA?

    Agree about the 2 pit stops. Stupidest rule ever invented. I'd rather hear SOS after every DFR.

    Those motorhomes sure are nice. Too bad they cost almost as much as a house.

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  46. SPEED's website says the race will be live, too.

    I have an owie in my head!

    --Karen

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  47. 9 trucks out already?

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  48. This is terrible for the series. 10 trucks out by lap 50. Favs not having a good night. Like AA's pit reports too.

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  49. I asked about ARCA, was told it was going to run earlier and be on delay.

    Then no quals for the Trucks and ARCA is now live. Weird day.

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  50. So now that you're a hobbyist, JD, they're lying to you.

    So sad.

    --KarenB

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  51. Dot those winnebagos are more than houses...a neighbor down the street has one worth over 200,000 and some cost 600,000. His is parked on side of his house behind privacy fence and under trees.

    Looks like something the NASCAR driver's have. When Hurricane Ike knocked out power last year, our next door neighbors kept their meat in this guys RV fridge..he had generator and Satellite tv..never missed a beat! I don't know the neighbor but would love to see the inside..it has the sides that extend out as well.

    Dot you you been on Twitter lately? Sent you a note and haven't seen you in days. =:-0

    I can't believe how many are out of this truck race and Hornaday will be getting a penalty from his truck before the race began.

    Odd to see the sun out at Sparta..is this thing LIVE or a bit of delay...I realize it's overcast here but it looks more like 7pm than 8pm in SPARTA to my eyes..could be tv cams tho

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  52. Sparta has lights correct? ARCA could be night race

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  53. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  54. Why do they tell us to watch their hands? Can anyone see them? Can they see them from the booth?

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  55. Sparta is on the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone. Local time for sunset is 9:01 PM.

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  56. OK, no Mayfield comments please!

    That guy is giving me nightmares and cramped fingers at the same time!

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  57. sorry, jd: posted that comment in the wrong column. have deleted it and placed it where it belonged.

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  58. Dot, I dont think the qualifying results from this week carry over to ORP. Only the pit selection for the top 30 in owners points.

    Stanton will get another shot.

    As for the schedule. Gateway, Nashville, Kentucky, Memphis, Kansas, Chicagoland and Vegas are all races they share with the NW series. However none of them are companion with the NW series. Thus what i proposed a few weeks ago. Work NW races away from companion Cup events, and work it more with Trucks to allow more development while making it tougher for Cup guys to do full doubles like they can now.

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  59. red

    Easy to get lost here lately remembering where to put what. So many active blogs! Need breadcrumbs.

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  60. hey citizen hobbyist? do you get a badge or a wallet card or a certificate or anything? maybe a coupon for free pizza in the media center? anything?

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  61. Well we lost the satellite signal because of the bad storm so I'll just read the blog. Hope the power doesn't go off next . . . .

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  62. Sophia, they can work the cameras to expose more light so it appears brighter than what it is. Remember in 2000 when the Cup cars qualified at Talladega after a rain delay. Kyle Petty pretty much ran in darkness his whole lap. Only the front press box had lights. It was interesting. Looked pretty decent then they turned the exposure on the camera down and you saw how dark it really was.

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  63. Not a PEEP from SPEED and about 1/3 of the field is out?

    wowwwwwwwwwwww. I'd like a little more info to be forthcoming.

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  64. Kentucky Speedway's own website lists the ARCA race will be after the Truck race ...

    As well as Lee Greenwood had a concert after Truck qualifying ... which would explain the vocal issues during the National Anthem ...

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  65. red,

    We are still trying to see how all that fleshes out. Same guy in charge of that is handling the Mayfield chaos, Ramsey Poston.

    He seems to be a little busy these days.

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  66. David

    Thanks..just started watching race in 2004 but know camera exposure can change lighting from little bit of photography I know.

    Oh boy..brickyard promo for SPEED....I think they should've REPAVED the track if what MIKEY said is true on the money spent to get better tires.

    How about wider tires for the COT or SOMETHING while they are at it. :)

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  67. @jd: yeah, a likely excuse. those nascar bigwigs always have some excuse, don't they?

    maybe three doors down can re-write their song, this time entitling it "citizen hobbyist"? i'm sure the planeteers could come up with some snappy lyrics.

    question of the night for me is what do i watch after the trucks? arca or n'wide? suggestions, anyone?

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  68. @red- JD can't talk about that stuff now that he's a double ought secret agent and all :)

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  69. ARRRRGH! Digger!

    Please, no.

    --KarenB

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  70. ACK!@^!&#^!&^# DIGGER PROMO.

    #FAILSPEED

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  71. noooo! the rodent resurfaces!

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  72. Is Kyle B running in NW? If so I will watch ARCA..

    Also anybody know if Kenny Schrader might be in the booth for the ARCA race or is he running in it?

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  73. OH NO!!! Digger onyour desktop- commercials for that freaking rodent. Racebuddy must have unblocked the manhole when they left! Dang.

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  74. @ bevo

    That's a "double ought citizen hobbyist secret agent" to you.

    JD should put that on a business card.

    --KarenB

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  75. ARCA or NWide? Tough choice...

    The ARCA race is only 150 miles (100 laps). Could probably watch teh entire ARCA show and then catch the end of the NWide race.

    The Wallace family has a long night ahead of them. All three (Rusty, Kenny, and Steve) are flying to Maine after the race for the Oxford 250 short-track show tomorrow. Kenny and Steve will race; Rusty is the grand marshal.

    Let's see how quickly Rusty gets off the air tonight.

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  76. Sophia, IMS was repaved only a few years ago.

    Talk has existed for awhile, Evernham really fueled it for the last 2 years about wider tires and both NASCAR as well as Goodyear are looking into it. Remember though, wider tires mean you have to re-engineer the entire front end geometry of the cars since a wider tire means the already close clearances would be even tighter if not cause rubs.

    Its not as easy as just making a wider tire. Wish it was, but its not so.

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  77. July 18, 2009 8:19 PM
    Blogger bevo said...

    @red- JD can't talk about that stuff now that he's a double ought secret agent and all :)

    ~~~~
    LOL~! A Jethro Bodine reference. I love this blog. You never know what you are gonna get as a small tidbit.

    I really hate this new pitstop rule for trucks..let them get gas and tires...sigh

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  78. sophia, that's a "no" on young mr busch on n'wide tonight.
    i'm thinking more about the difference in broadcast quality -- if you get my drift.

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  79. @ Sophia

    Yes, Shrubby will be in the NW race. There aren't many others though. I think Edwards, Harvick and Stremme are the only other Buschwackers. (And yes, I know, it isn't the Busch series any more.)

    --KarenB

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  80. Sophia - Kyle is running NW. He qualified ninth.

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  81. The Shrub is racing in Gateway tonight. Starting top 10 i believe.

    Logano is off though, Coleman in the #20

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  82. K. Busch, Edwards, Harvick, Sorenson are your notable Cup drivers for the evening.

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  83. David if only they could also get rid of the SPLITTER who's very design I loathed from day one and it's a problem in the grass or if it gets broke.

    I know it's convoluted/complicated to fix the IROC- er, COT. :)

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  84. I thought KB was racing in NW tonight. I thought he was there during Quals...

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  85. sophia and all: pay no attention to me for a while. life is intruding for a bit and i'm needing to be away from the race physically as well as mentally for a moment or so.
    sorry for the misinformation there, sophia.

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  86. Hmmm one NO & three YES's KyB is running...ugh.
    Glad I asked, thanks for the feeback.

    I will start off with ARCA and maybe finish on BS P U

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  87. Not a whole lot going on with only a few fast trucks.

    Not too happy that Waltrip and Parsons are painting pictures that are not very real for the TV viewers.

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  88. Oops! Sorenson, not Stremme. I always get those two mixed up.

    -KarenB

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  89. @red

    it's ok. I've had similar life issues lately...I am familiar with Swiss Cheese brain syndrome.

    or C.R.A.F.T. Disease=Can't Remember a Flipping Thing :)

    I have notes all over kitchen, on bathroom mirror, calendars...in litter box...

    ok, just kidding about the last one

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  90. @ red...ummm, I'm pretty sure Vike Kyle is in the CupLite race tonite. He's running for the "championship" against Cux Carl. I'm opting out, because I really don't care for the Kyle versus Sliced Bread show.

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  91. Trying to re-engineer any race car is complicated. When they took the splitter to trucks it had a drastic effect for them.

    I didn't mind the splitter, was kept informed of the progress from an insider at RCR when they were developing this car. They've come a long way from a sheet of plywood to the composite splitter of now, but after seeing it in action for 3 years, the splitter does far too much as does the wing.

    I love the concept of the splitter but in practice it was unnecessary.

    Afterall, the biggest and in my eyes, ONLY reason the NW cars have the tapered spacer is because NASCAR did not want NW cars going faster than the Cup boys in qualifying like they did at Texas in 2007.

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  92. David -

    IMS repaved in 2004 ... levigated in 2005 ...

    The problem was the weight distribution ...

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  93. I dont think it was Texas actually, perhaps Bristol. Either way the NW car design works better with all the ponies down on the track rather than 85% of the ponies.

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  94. 2005, only 5 years ago. Nothing for a racetrack. Just good seasoning.

    They've softened the tire up, it wears but is durable. I guess the tires last year were too hard and having too much buildup causing catastrophic failures from the bits and pieces ive kept up with.

    thanks for the specific date tim.

    I believe the levigate, or diamond grinding (whichever they did) was for the Indycars and if i remember correct the 2005 Indy 500 was an AWESOME race!

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  95. @ David 8:11, you have me confused with Karen. Unless you're making up for me calling you Steve last week :).

    But, I do want to know, what does today's qual have to do with ORP qual? Why don't they get to qual there?

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  96. Kevin Costner and Digger in the same truck race. Who could ask for more?

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  97. Err, weight evenly distributed across all four corners of the COT (instead of the left weighing more than the right) caused the tire problems ... in addition to the levigated surface ...

    Tony George levigated it because the IRL cars needed more grip / downforce and they weren't getting it on the repaved track ...

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  98. @KarenB- sounds like a very snappy business card :)

    BTW the Glorified Rat commercials have been running for a few months during Rangers games on Fox Sports SW or FSN SW or whatever they're calling it nowadays.

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  99. Today's qualifying determined pit stall selection order for this race as well as ORP. If you qualified first like Brad did, they get first pit selection today, as well as at ORP next week. Regardless their qualifying position next week.

    They WILL qualify at ORP next week, but it will not determine the order you pick your stall as it normally would any other week.

    They've done it for the past few years based on points, this year the Gateway qualifying results are being used instead.

    I believe the GOGH cars will still select their stall based on ORP's qualifying results.

    As far as I know now, NW will qualify next week at ORP, it would shock me if it were canceled for anything other than weather.

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  100. All NASCAR needs to do for Indy is use Firestones :)

    Michelin and Goodyear wish that track had never been built

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  101. Tim, when you consider the exceptional forces of going down a straight at well over 200 and then going into a 90 degree turn that is relatively flat, it would make sense weight distribution would show its head particularly at Indy.

    I think from what they said they had softened the right sides and all is well. Tires are going 60 plus laps

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  102. bevo said...

    All NASCAR needs to do for Indy is use Firestones :)

    Michelin and Goodyear wish that track had never been built

    July 18, 2009 8:41 PM
    -----
    Meow hiss LOL just remember - it ain't mean if its true. And is that ever true!

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  103. Black flag for Ickler - too bad.

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  104. @JD- any word on how Johnny Benson is doing?

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  105. Why didn't Sauter get black flagged too?

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  106. Ickler, HATE that call. He held his line the 15 and 81 moved up. Same BOGUS call they made on Vickers at texas in 03

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  107. I guess it doesn't matter now.

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  108. hey gang. sorry for the brain freeze there: a dear friend is back home in texas, being with a mom who's terminal. her email kinda threw me and i needed to get her on the phone and talk with her.
    sometimes, life is hard.

    anyway! i think i'm gonna watch arca and maybe catch up with the n'wide race at some point. i'm not thrilled with waltrip this evening: too much stumbling over his words and chattering -- as is his style.

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  109. Hey JD, did Paula Abdul test positive for meth too?

    --KarenB

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  110. Didn't the same thing happen to Vickers in Texas that year too after his black flag? Got wrecked?

    LOVE some of these calls sometimes...

    COME ON ARIC!!!

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  111. I guess it is true. Cautions breeds cautions.

    Why are they referring to the ARCA race being live?

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  112. That's the same problem I have with MW, he talks over Rick too much.

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  113. @ Dot

    After much too-ing and fro-ing, we've determined that the ARCA race really is being broadcast live on SPEED tonight, right after the truck race.

    --KarenB

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  114. @ KBaskins, top billing for you tonight.

    Race should be over early.

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  115. I wish rick allen had a switch that could turn off Mikey's mic at times...

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  116. David -

    Actually IMS was repaved in Aug 2004 AFTER the Cup race ...

    And the 2005 Indy 500 had the repaved surface ... NOT the levigated surface ...

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  117. I guess all you MW fans are loving him in the booth tonite, me not so much. He must have about 5# of slober on his microphone.

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  118. @ bryanh

    That actually made me LMAO! I feel that same way about Mikey as you do.

    --KarenB

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  119. Can't the audio guy turn Mikey's mic down? We need David Starr to finish in the top 10. Finally stopped raining and have the satellite back but with 10 laps to go.

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  120. #51 Brian Ickler has the pole in the ARCA race tonight so maybe he can redeem himself after his bonehead move in the truck race. Wonder if ARCA will have the same broadcast trio?

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  121. Well then it was the 06 Indy 500 that was the good one then. I recall one that had alot of passing and side by side racing. I believe thats the one where Marco lost by inches to Hornish I believe...great race.

    Thanks for the info though Tim. I was just mainly answering to sophia that they had already repaved Indy and that the surface was not the problem

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  122. Tough break for Malsam. That kid is starting to impress.

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  123. NorCal, It wasnt a bonehead move in my eyes. He got the short end of the stick in a bad situation.

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  124. NCF, SPEED did not list Waltrip on the ARCA race, but it would not surprise me.

    Jim Tretow is usually on pit road as well. ARCA and SPEED not the best at getting TV info out sometimes.

    I actually wind up asking the talen through Twitter sometimes.

    JD

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  125. ok, someone want to explain the shot there of the donkeys grazing?
    waltrip is enthusiastic and ya gotta appreciate that after a bunch of race broadcasts with espn but it's just not adding to the race and he's stepping all over his booth partners.

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  126. IMHO, Waltrip is having a tough time tonight. No clue why.

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  127. @NorCalFan:

    Allen and Parsons will call the ARCA race, but a lot of shuffling for the support crew.

    Interesting read here:
    http://www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=8348

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  128. Rick Allen needs an audition to call one of the Duel races come Feb.

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  129. @red- maybe it's a subtle dig at MW by the Director? :)

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  130. @ JD, are we talking about the NW race and ARCA? I want to record ARCA.

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  131. @David- He called a lot of the Cup races on HotPass last year. Does a great job.

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  132. So, did that get everyone pumped up for another full length NASCAR race? Hope so, it starts in 20 min.

    Snack time folks! Go for it.

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  133. We are staying here for the Nationwide Series race, I am sure some ARCA comments will slip in there.

    What is up with Carl Edwards' hair?

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  134. Can someone tell Phil that consecutive and 3 in a row means the same thing?

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  135. Can I request no ARCA winner spoiler? Thanks.

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  136. Bevo, Hotpass = satellite. Speed = cable...maybe with a Cup event with alot of eyes watching someone will take notice. Maybe ESPN will remove their heads from their tails and make a play for Rick, move JP to the pits or maybe make him a full-time host of NN or just something better suited to his talents. Its a shame they have Bestwick sitting right there but seem to resistant in using him.

    Allen deserves a shot to call on a bigger level IMHO

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  137. Carl adopting the "Mayfield" look for a reason?? Just wondering.

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  138. I was wondering about Carls hair myself. It looks like the "summer cut" we used to get Mike when he was in grade school, maybe, his Mommy... nope I will be nice!

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  139. If a faux-hawk gets a lady like that, i may have to give the Leffler-philosophy a try...

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  140. RATS! had an important phone call but glad Hornaday won. Woo hoo.

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  141. David,

    Remember the name Marty Reid when 2010 rolls around. Enough said.

    JD

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  142. @ Jo, you're competing with KarenB for top billing.

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  143. @David- think it has more to do with his bank :)

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  144. @JD- just wish Marty would come back to NHRA broadcasts. I know it's a step down but man he did a great job there with Mike Dunn.

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  145. David -

    It's "Tiamat" not "Tim" ;-)


    The track was levigated prior to the 2005 F1 race ... Hence, their tire issues (But, those were overblown since the one guy who crashed in practice did so in the same spot the previous year) ...

    So, the 2006 Indy 500 was the awesome race with Sammy making the pass on Marco at the very end ...


    But, the levigating did not help issues with the COT ...

    The COT's problem was 800lb all around whilst sitting still ... going into turn 1, the weight shifted from 800 to 700 on the left and 800 to 900 on the right ... and that's what caused the tire problems ... And they even pulled out softer tires for another race to try & they had the same problem ...

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  146. I like this when there is no Infield Pit Center and one of the race reporters hosts the pre-race.

    Burns or Massaro are both experienced at this.

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  147. @ JD, now that you're the man, what do you know? And don't go all Sgt Schultz on us.

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  148. WOW..I get on the phone with my sister and read here and on Twitter Paul has been kicked off AI.

    Now I need to watch it (just kidding) Paula Abdul has acted dippy for years on interviews and I heard lack of sleep/but she also takes pain meds for back injuries. Sheesh.

    Sometimes the small digressions here are as entertaining as the race.

    Sounds like I missed a good race at the end.

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  149. JD

    Just to be clear, can we talk about the ARCA race here if we don't wanna watch BSPN's race? unless you all make me tune in :)

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  150. Doh! Sorry! My bad.

    Yeah, like I said, all the issues with the COT get magnified by 10 at Indy. Long LONG straights, 90 degree flat corners = trouble,

    The good news is it sounds as if the problems there have been cured. Though we shall see in a week.

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  151. Fun fact: The Arch is as tall as it is wide.

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  152. Dot, nothing quite yet but do you remember when ESPN used Dale Jarrett part-time and Rusty was in the booth full-time?

    The next season it Jarrett upstairs full-time and Rusty went to the infield.

    If Marty click with this crew, I do feel that there will have to be a decision made down the road about a switch in roles.

    Remember, TV is always interesting.

    JD

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  153. Dot, I would never go up in that arch! It looks so scary for me. JD can I mention that Sebastian Bourdais was fired from his F1 team yesterday?

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  154. Good lord, can anyone just sing it like they wrote it?

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  155. she's "accompanied" by a bald eagle?! what the freak is the bald eagle gonna do?
    hmmm. maybe the bald eagle should've stepped in when she raised the register just then.
    plus, she's missing more notes than she's hitting.

    jd: since you're now an official citizen hobbyist, can you pleasssseee campaign to take over booking the "talent"?

    headed over to arca. . .

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  156. That was a "stirring" rendition?

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  157. Thanks JD.

    I had the anthem muted. It seemed like forever.

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  158. I think that Paula Abdul think is a joke..I googled it and came up on a fake wikipedia thing unclepedia or something saying Paula is an ex singer and invented meth.

    sigh

    BUMMER about Sebastian.

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  159. don't know what the fans were cheering that the anthem was over or the fly over

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  160. Dave in OKC said...

    That was a "stirring" rendition?

    July 18, 2009 9:34 PM
    ----
    Yup that was enough to get us to stir & find the remote to mute her. Therefore it was a stirring rendition!

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  161. Jojaye -

    My drink stirred itself!

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  162. RWI gets the curse tonight. Two for the price of one.

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  163. Seems like it's rather late to be starting a race especially for the eastern time zone folks. Not too bad here.

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  164. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  165. @VickyD- Bourdais is filing suit against Toro Rosso to keep his seat

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  166. David-
    that voice could cause that! lol

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  167. bevo said...

    @JD- any word on how Johnny Benson is doing?

    Read somewhere yesterday he's looking for a ride already.

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  168. @Karen- thanks. Be nice for him to sit in on some Truck races.

    BTW no MW on ARCA race.

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  169. hey bevo: from debbie benson on 7/2:
    "It has been determined that Johnny has a grade 4 shoulder separation that will require surgery. Because of the bruise on his lung it has been recommended to wait another 10 days before proceeding with surgery. We are waiting to hear from the surgeon to find out what date has been scheduled but we are expecting sometime the week of July 20. "

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  170. Karen Ron Hornaday mentioned during his victory interview and Johnny is having surgery tomorrow or Monday.

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  171. @red - thanks I had no idea his lung was bruised. Yipes.

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  172. David said...

    "Today's qualifying determined pit stall selection order for this race as well as ORP.

    They WILL qualify at ORP next week, but it will not determine the order you pick your stall as it normally would any other week.

    I believe the GOGH cars will still select their stall based on ORP's qualifying results.

    As far as I know now, NW will qualify next week at ORP, it would shock me if it were canceled for anything other than weather."

    Sorry to be so late in responding to this but in Q'ing, they said this was a twofer. No qualifying in NW next week, not b/c of TV, but b/c there's too many other things to do at the track and they can't fit it in.

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  173. FoxTrax leaderboard is working tonight. It's the best one out there.

    http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/national/foxTrax

    --KarenB

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  174. Red

    tx I had not heard of the bruised lung either.

    I also heard Hornaday say tomorrow or Monday Johnny is having surgery and wished him well.

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  175. =0

    Marty said the words start and park...

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  176. !st S&P behind wall - Thanks Marty

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  177. Wow big slide acrosss the track...patrick sheltra the 60 car after getting loose.

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  178. "Set sail and get out of Dodge."

    Rusty's channeling Jerry, and that isn't good.

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  179. brian ickler did a great job to stay out of the 60...wow they showed yesterday and car did same thing in practice in same area. wow

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  180. Marty called 3 more S&P sounds like he did not get the memo to not mention S&P :)

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  181. Marty is keeping us informed of the S&P'ers.

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  182. Karen, I have not seen anywhere that be stated as the case. If it is that sucks. No excuse for not getting qualifying in in my eyes

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  183. Wonder why Fox and SPEED never mention S&P but PN can? Just turned over to hear another one mentioned

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  184. Five cars down three laps or more on lap nine.

    --KarenB

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  185. I've known Marty for a long time. This is a great opportunity for him to put his own stamp on these broadcasts.

    Remember, no more JP on these races for the rest of the season. Marty is the man.

    JD

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  186. It's late, I know, but someone needs to tell the woman who sang the national anthem to pick one key, stick with it, and try to hit all the notes actually in the song before ad-libbing extra ones.

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