Nationwide -Sams Town 300 Racethread

[slorydn1]

Well,another race at the reconfigured LVMS. I know I'm in the minority, but the purist in me actually liked the old configuration better, the low banked oval was more challenging. That said, the racing has been better on this configuration

[DanicaFan]

I look for Danica to be much more aggressive this race and at the front of the pack.

[TURN3]

I look for Danica to be much more aggressive this race and at the front of the pack.

Then as always for 5+ years running you'll be looking for a long long time.

[harvick#1]

"If you have a thought, just let it out" Ron White

[71Fan]

Just another waste of prime tortoise habitat as far as I'm concerned.

[damg75]

I agree with slo that the old configuration was better just for the simple fact that it wasn't your typical "cookie cutter" 1.5 mile track....it was a flat 12 degrees which was challenging, plus getting on to pit road under green on the old track was maybe the toughest in NASCAR at the time, a very challenging track. Now, it's just another medium to high banked 1.5 mile oval that you see throughout the series.

[slorydn1]

I look for Danica to be much more aggressive this race and at the front of the pack.


Yep, she'll be at the front of the pack a lot at vegas; every 15 laps or so as she's getting LAPPED :p :

[TURN3]

Yep, she'll be at the front of the pack a lot at vegas; every 15 laps or so as she's getting LAPPED :p :

:D
Good one, and I'll give her every 20 laps pending yellows.

[slorydn1]

:D
Good one, and I'll give her every 20 laps pending yellows.

There ya go, a new game over in the Nascar games forum. Pick how many laps it takes Danica to get lapped :p :

[Easy Drifter]

Guys and gals you should know by now I am no fan of the Princess and I enjoy baiting Chad (Danica Fan). It is in fun DF.
I do feel a lot of the animosity to her is brought on by the over hype of the TV and press and not helped on here at times by DF.
I do not think she is a real racer but a reasonably compentent driver who unfortunately has never learned how to understand set ups. She may just be a driver who cannot do that and there are some, or more likely she has never really tried or understood. 40 odd years as a driver and wrench speaking.
I also crewed for two women over the years both pretty fast drivers. One learned set ups, the other never did.
I really do not think the Princess will be anything but a backmarker but I also do not think we should write her off on one race.
There may have been a reason she was really bad last weekend. Anybody who has crewed for a woman driver or any women on this forum will understand what I am saying. Luckily the better of the two women I crewed for was not overly affected by that.
If she is as bad this weekend then I will agree but for once let us give her a bit of a break.
I can't believe I just stood up for 'Stompin Danica.'

[beachgirl]

I can't believe I just stood up for 'Stompin Danica.'

That's ok. Everybody has these little slips in life now and then. Just don't let it become a habit! :)

[Mark in Oshawa]

Guys and gals you should know by now I am no fan of the Princess and I enjoy baiting Chad (Danica Fan). It is in fun DF.
I do feel a lot of the animosity to her is brought on by the over hype of the TV and press and not helped on here at times by DF.
I do not think she is a real racer but a reasonably compentent driver who unfortunately has never learned how to understand set ups. She may just be a driver who cannot do that and there are some, or more likely she has never really tried or understood. 40 odd years as a driver and wrench speaking.
I also crewed for two women over the years both pretty fast drivers. One learned set ups, the other never did.
I really do not think the Princess will be anything but a backmarker but I also do not think we should write her off on one race.
There may have been a reason she was really bad last weekend. Anybody who has crewed for a woman driver or any women on this forum will understand what I am saying. Luckily the better of the two women I crewed for was not overly affected by that.
If she is as bad this weekend then I will agree but for once let us give her a bit of a break.
I can't believe I just stood up for 'Stompin Danica.'

Don't make me drive up there in this snow and slap you to your senses!!!

I think you just blamed Danica's bad day on....oh don't go THERE!

Personally, I think she is just finding out WHY no one was going to let her have a go at a Cup Car which she felt she was entitled to when she first went to Charlotte. I am thinking if she wanted respect, she should have gone to a full blown run at ARCA...where she could learn. Her lack of setup and engineering knowledge in the IRL is made worse by the fact there is no telemetry in NASCAR. She has to learn...no Tony Kanaan is going to help set her car up now...

[Easy Drifter]

Snowin' an blowin' here'
I am hunkered down.
If she is as bad this weekend, and I do expect her to be, then I was wrong.
She was pretty sad at Barber in an Indy car yesterday.

[TURN3]

When did they do the most recent config change at Vegas? I though they still had the grass between pit entrance/exit and the track last year?

[harvick#1]

When did they do the most recent config change at Vegas? I though they still had the grass between pit entrance/exit and the track last year?

2008 I think.

[71Fan]

Went to the big track a number of times before I gave up on it ever having a decent race. Did see a truck race there since the reconfiguration and while it did show promise, I'm still not impressed enough to buy a ticket to a Cup event.

Do expect nascar's maniputalion and double file retarts to make a bit of a difference. But, I'll save my money for maybe a trip to Phoenix.

[DanicaFan]

They had a practice session today. Danica was 23rd, not bad.

Here are the results..

Rank / Car# & Driver / Speed / Lap Time

1. #98 Paul Menard / 179.868 / 30.022
2. #27 Greg Biffle / 179.313 / 30.115
3. #60 Carl Edwards / 178.772 / 30.206
4. #18 Kyle Busch / 178.188 / 30.305
5. #32 Brian Vickers / 178.141 / 30.313
6. #09 Scott Riggs / 178.130 / 30.315
7. #38 Jason Leffler / 177.871 / 30.359
8. #15 Michael Annett / 177.848 / 30.363
9. #16 Colin Braun / 177.743 / 30.381
10. #40 Mike Bliss / 177.661 / 30.395
11. #22 Brad Keselowski / 177.567 / 30.411
12. #11 Brian Scott / 177.480 / 30.426
13. #88 Kelly Bires / 177.113 / 30.489
14. #20 Denny Hamlin / 177.072 / 30.496
15. #66 Steve Wallace / 176.904 / 30.525
16. #87 Joe Nemechek / 176.864 / 30.532
17. #42 Parker Kligerman / 176.852 / 30.534
18. #33 Kevin Harvick / 176.626 / 30.573
19. #99 Trevor Bayne / 176.430 / 30.607
20. #1 James Buescher / 176.355 / 30.620
21. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 176.188 / 30.649
22. #12 Justin Allgaier / 176.177 / 30.651
23. #7 Danica Patrick / 176.125 / 30.660
24. #62 Brandan Gaughan / 176.074 / 30.669
25. #56 Kevin Lepage / 176.062 / 30.671
26. #10 Chad Blount / 175. 810 / 30.715
27. #21 John Wes Townley / 175.724 / 30.730
28. #43 Scott Lagasse Jr. / 175.421 / 30.783
29. #70 Shelby Howard / 175.279 / 30.808
30. #49 Mark Green / 175.234 / 30.816
31. #01 Mike Wallace / 175.069 / 30.845
32. #35 Jason Keller (http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137160#) / 174.492 / 30.947
33. #81 Michael McDowell / 173.807 / 31.069
34. #31 Stanton Barrett / 173.427 / 31.137
35. #05 Willie Allen / 172.750 / 31.259
36. #73 Derrike Cope / 172.293 / 31.342
37. #90 Danny O'Quinn Jr. / 171.657 / 31.458
38. #02 Andy Ponstein / 171.369 / 31.511
39. #28 Kenny Wallace / 171.282 / 31.527
40. #83 John Borneman III / 171.238 / 31.535
41. #34 Tony Raines / 171.184 / 31.545
42. #91 Stephen Leicht / 171.000 / 31.579
43. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 170.638 / 31.646
44. #07 Danny Efland / 170.535 / 31.665
45. #96 Dennis Setzer / 170.336 / 31.702
46. #26 Brian Keselowski / 170.175 / 31.732
47. #24 Eric McClure / 169.667 / 31.827
48. #04 Jeremy Clements / 168.755 / 31.999
49. #89 Morgan Shepherd / 167.400 / 32.258
50. #71 Josh Wise / 166.692 / 32.395
51. #92 Johnny Chapman - No Times
__________________

[DanicaFan]

Practice Session 2 Results are in...

Rank / Car# & Driver / Speed / Lap Time

1. #27 Greg Biffle / 182.291 / 29.623
2. #60 Carl Edwards / 182.168 / 29.643
3. #99 Trevor Bayne / 181.867 / 29.692
4. #11 Brian Scott / 181.226 / 29.797
5. #32 Brian Vickers / 181.074 / 29.822
6. #18 Kyle Busch / 180.729 / 29.879
7. #12 Justin Allgaier / 180.596 / 29.901
8. #33 Kevin Harvick / 180.451 / 29.925
9. #16 Colin Braun / 180.325 / 29.946
10. #20 Denny Hamlin / 179.748 / 30.042
11. #21 John Wes Townley / 179.605 / 30.066
12. #22 Brad Keselowski / 179.551 / 30.075
13. #38 Jason Leffler / 179.450 / 30.092
14. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 179.438 / 30.094
15. #43 Scott Lagasse Jr. / 179.420 / 30.097
16. #15 Michael Annett / 179.188 / 30.136
17. #88 Kelly Bires / 178.849 / 30.193
18. #1 James Buescher / 178.743 / 30.211
19. #42 Parker Kligerman / 177.860 / 30.361
20. #35 Jason Keller / 177.825 / 30.367
21. #62 Brandan Gaughan / 177.544 / 30.415
22. #90 Danny O'Quinn Jr. / 177.451 / 30.431
23. #40 Mike Bliss / 177.427 / 30.435
24. #96 Dennis Setzer / 177.410 / 30.438
25. #7 Danica Patrick / 177.317 / 30.454
26. #66 Steve Wallace / 177.276 / 30.461
27. #56 Kevin Lepage / 177.183 / 30.477
28. #87 Joe Nemechek / 176.927 / 30.521
29. #01 Mike Wallace / 176.869 / 30.531
30. #09 Scott Riggs / 176.546 / 30.587
31. #70 Shelby Howard / 176.275 / 30.634
32. #49 Mark Green / 176.154 / 30.655
33. #31 Stanton Barrett / 175.896 / 30.700
34. #81 Michael McDowell / 175.707 / 30.733
35. #73 Derrike Cope / 175.461 / 30.776
36. #07 Danny Efland / 175.285 / 30.807
37. #92 Johnny Chapman / 175.245 / 30.814
38. #91 Stephen Leicht / 174.695 / 30.911
39. #05 Willie Allen / 174.486 / 30.948
40. #89 Morgan Shepherd / 173.975 / 31.039
41. #34 Tony Raines / 173.617 / 31.103
42. #61 Josh Wise / 173.566 / 31.112
43. #02 Andy Ponstein / 173.338 / 31.153
44. #26 Brian Keselowski / 172.977 / 31.218
45. #24 Eric McClure / 172.938 / 31.225
46. #28 Kenny Wallace / 172.458 / 31.312
47. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 172.051 / 31.386
48. #83 John Borneman III / 171.694 / 31.402
49. #04 Jeremy Clements / 169.779 / 31.806
50. #10 Chad Blount - No Times
51. #98 Paul Menard - No Times

[71Fan]

point 638 of in 1st parctice.
point 815 off in 2nd practice
did pick a tiny bit.

just watched her on the tube the usual gang of idiots and I thought she came off quite well.....meanwhile....

Been watching Clements since my friend Kim Crosby had a chance to run one their cars. Bummer that such an old nascar family is struggling as much as they do.

meanwhile 2.....good to see Scott Speed hangin with the bigger kids.

meanwhile 3.....good to see local Brendan hanging tough.

[slorydn1]

I do have to give Danica a little credit in the Happy Hour practice. Her overall time was not that impressive, but her "run avg" wasn't too shabby, right near guys such as Harvick and Hamlin. She turmed a combined almost 90 laps total in both practices, and because of the stupid tire rule they cant bolt on a new set twds the end of practice to see what they have (or it ill short 'em on race day). What was impressing me was the way she was stuffing it down into turn 1, maybe a little too deep, hurting her up off the corner, but at least she didn't look timid like at Cali.....

I may need to revise my earlier estimate of her getting lapped every 15 laps...
She keeps that kind of speed up over the length of the run, and if she can keep from speeding on pit road, she may finish mid 20's and on the lead lap.

[Mark in Oshawa]

If the race stays green, based on those times she should be at the back of the lead lap. However...and this is big: does she have the feel and knowhow to give Tony Eury Jr. the right info to make the right changes? THAT is where this falls apart.

That said, better than Fontana....

I like Vegas, I think the progressive bank does put on a better show. The races before the put the new banking in were no great shakes...

[slorydn1]

If the race stays green, based on those times she should be at the back of the lead lap. However...and this is big: does she have the feel and knowhow to give Tony Eury Jr. the right info to make the right changes? THAT is where this falls apart.



that does remain to be seen, you are right. Of course DSPN will make anything better than p31, 3 laps down, into a win.

[slorydn1]

Well, because of my work shedule (I am already here as a matter of fact) I will be drooping out as we get closer to race time (i am DVR ing it and will watch when I get off later). The Nationwide Pickem results will not be finished until Monday, along with the Cup stuff.

Here's to hoping for a Harvick victory, at least in this race :beer:

It doesn't look like he's gonna be real good on the cup side, this weekend....

[TURN3]

I am obviously very quick to bash her when she shows bad. As I've pointed out over the years I'm also not too proud to give her credit when she deserves it. She is looking much better so far in Vegas but a few things to consider before she's annointed....Looks like if you're car is handling well 3&4 is flat out and 1&2 is virtually flat. At any rate, there is minimal throttle interaction involved here in Vegas and we all know that works for Danica especially in a Hendrick car. I'm not trying to take away she's running mid 20's this weekend instead of 30's but lets face it, she didn't suddently get good after 13 yrs or so of professional racing. We'll see how she races on a relatively narrow track with cars around her today, her other major downfall has always been being in a crowd. If she does well then we can give her credit at the end of the day, otherwise we can't make more fun of her in NASCAR for a few months and you'll have to watch the Indycar forum...where there will be plenty to laugh at her over!

[DanicaFan]

Danica is first in line for qualifying today.

[beachbum]

I am obviously very quick to bash her when she shows bad. As I've pointed out over the years I'm also not too proud to give her credit when she deserves it. She is looking much better so far in Vegas but a few things to consider before she's annointed....Looks like if you're car is handling well 3&4 is flat out and 1&2 is virtually flat. The in-car in the last practice showed the car was "pushing like a truck" as she had to crank in quite a bit more steering in the middle of the turn - every turn. (she already had a good 1/4 turn of the wheel going into the turn) That may be "comfortable" and is certainly consistent and reasonably fast for a few laps, but it won't work in race trim

[beachbum]

Danica is first in line for qualifying today.43rd in qualifying. Good thing she has points to fall back on - for this race. If she had to qualify on speed, she wouldn't have been even close.

[DanicaFan]

43rd in qualifying. Good thing she has points to fall back on - for this race. If she had to qualify on speed, she wouldn't have been even close.

She is in. Look for her to be aggressive and move her way up in the field.

[DanicaFan]

Brad Keselowski grabs the pole for this race and sets a new track record. A lap time of 29.122.

[TURN3]

43rd in qualifying. Good thing she has points to fall back on - for this race. If she had to qualify on speed, she wouldn't have been even close.

Holy effen crap!!! She is 43rd!! Wow, I thought there might be a glimmer of hope of seeing slight improvement with this hack but obviously not. I'm not real familiar with Nationwide circumstances but it seems the practice sheets the past 2 weekends aren't a good indicator of exactly what everybody has. Sounds like there are limits on tires and most teams only use 1 or 2 sets throughout the all the practice sessions.

What can be said that hasn't already been said about this side show, 3 ring circus act? I can't even put an original thought together to describe what a worthless waste of time she is.

[TURN3]

She is in. Look for her to be aggressive and move her way up in the field.


You are quite used to being let down.

[beachbum]

She is in. Look for her to be aggressive and move her way up in the field.She is in on points. if she had to qualify, she would have been .3 seconds too slow. Almost all of the go-or-go-home cars out qualified her.

When you are 37th of 43 and a couple of the cars are "start and park", it is going to be pretty hard to go backwards. But it is possible :)

By the way, Stan Barrett out qualified her by almost .4 seconds. Everyone on the IRL forums have blasted him for being a no-talent hack that shouldn't be allowed on the track, so what does that say about Danica? Can't be the car this time.

At least Speed talked about all of the other drivers during qualifying. I missed the first dozen cars, but only heard her mentioned once when they showed the starting lineup. I guess the bloom is off that rose.

[DanicaFan]

Here is your starting grid for today's race..

Position / Car# & Driver / Speed / Lap Time

1. #22 Brad Keselowski / 185.427 / 29.122
2. #33 Kevin Harvick / 185.027 / 29.185
3. #60 Carl Edwards / 184.495 / 29.269
4. #20 Denny Hamlin / 184.250 / 29.308
5. #18 Kyle Busch / 184.168 / 29.321
6. #98 Paul Menard / 183.306 / 29.459
7. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 183.100 / 29.492
8. #11 Brian Scott / 182.852 / 29.532
10. #32 Brian Vickers / 182.673 / 20.561
11. #16 Colin Braun / 182.359 / 29.612
12. #88 Kelly Bires / 182.309 / 29.620
13. #12 Justin Allgaier / 182.125 / 29.650
14. #21 John Wes Townley / 181.843 / 29.696
15. #66 Steve Wallace / 181.830 / 29.698
16. #1 James Buescher / 181.720 / 29.716
17. #96 Dennis Setzer / 181.531 / 29.747
18. #99 Trevor Bayne / 181.525 / 29.748
19. #70 Shelby Howard / 181.080 / 29.821
20. #09 Scott Riggs / 180.620 / 29.897
21. #42 Parker Kligerman / 180.620 / 29.897
22. #87 Joe Nemechek / 180.114 / 20.981
23. #15 Michael Annett / 180.084 / 29.986
24. #56 Kevin Lepage / 180.000 / 30.000
25. #05 Willie Allen / 179.922 / 30.013
26. #62 Brandan Gaughan / 179.892 / 30.018
27. #07 Danny Efland / 179.862 / 30.023
28. #40 Mike Bliss / 179.360 / 30.107
29. #31 Stanton Barrett / 179.217 / 30.131
30. #90 Danny O'Quinn Jr. / 170.069 / 30.156
31. #38 Jason Leffler / 178.926 / 30.180
32. #43 Scott Lagasse Jr. / 178.212 / 30.301
33. #81 Michael McDowell / 177.772 / 30.376
34. #01 Mike Wallace / 177.317 / 30.454
35. #10 Chad Blount / 177.078 / 30.495
36. #24 Eric McClure / 176.869 / 30.531
37. #7 Danica Patrick / 176.638 / 30.571
38. #28 Kenny Wallace / 176.303 / 30.629
39. #61 Josh Wise / 174.848 / 30.884
40. #34 Tony Raines / 173.572 / 31.111
41. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 171.816 / 31.429
42. #36 Brian Keselowski / 170.315 / 31.706
43. #49 Mark Green / 178.690 / 30.220
__________________

[TURN3]

Listening to this moron (#7 Nationwide driver) say ummmm and you know every 6 words is like watching a trailer park block party. What is her deal? Is she that dumb?

Also hilarious listening to what you can comprehend. She speaks like she's some major player at the front race in and race out over in Indycar. "I know how to drive an Indycar"...yeah just no real fast. "I'm used to running at the front"...yeah if being in 10th out of 18 or 20 is the front. "I'm not used to getting lapped"...yeah because about 5 times a year they throw a phantom yellow to keep you from getting lapped. She is one of the few drivers that gets lapped on road courses! What is she smoking? And who is selling it to her? They should be investigated!

[Easy Drifter]

Similar to what I posted in the other thread if she is as bad in the race as indications are do not be surprised to see the car develop mysterious problems and be withdrawn.

[Shifter]

Is this all there is to talk about? Kyle leads...

[Shifter]

Well, I don't think I can blame Danica for her bent up car in this case.

[TURN3]

I won't give Danica any crap for that one...crashing means you're trying. She was well off the pace and about to go 2 laps down but she was much more competitive with the top 30 this week. I just hope she doesn't get out of the car and start her typical blame game bs...she has to take responsibility but still...part of racing.

Now we can switch over and watch her finish 15th - 20th for at least the first 3 races of Indycar.

[Shifter]

I won't give Danica any crap for that one...crashing means you're trying. She was well off the pace and about to go 2 laps down but she was much more competitive with the top 30 this week. I just hope she doesn't get out of the car and start her typical blame game bs...she has to take responsibility but still...part of racing.

Now we can switch over and watch her finish 15th - 20th for at least the first 3 races of Indycar.

Ha. Well she wanted to gain experience, now she knows to spin hacks like McDowell.

[harvick#1]

lmao, there it was, it wasn't her fault :laugh:

being in the top 30 in the Nationwide is nothing to brag about considering there is really only 20 or so teams that are solid, the rest of unsponsored field fillers

[TURN3]

Unbelievable, I spoke too soon. Listen to this hack (I'd prefer to use another word or 2). Does she even stop to think before she talks? "She got taken out" "He turned down into me"...how about this DaniHa "I tried to stuff it into T1 and should've used a little more sense since he was off pace".

Typical Danica.

[DanicaFan]

Well, that sucks, Michael McDowell takes Danica out of the race at lap 84.

[Scotty G.]

Unbelievable, I spoke too soon. Listen to this hack (I'd prefer to use another word or 2). Does she even stop to think before she talks? "She got taken out" "He turned down into me"...how about this DaniHa "I tried to stuff it into T1 and should've used a little more sense since he was off pace".

Typical Danica.


When you are as obviously clueless about this form of racing as she is, I'd hold off on saying anyone "took me out". :(

She misjudged the closing rate and hit him in the corner panel. Pretty easy one to decipher.

She tried a typical road-racing/formula car move (late dive bomb into a corner) and paid the usual price for such a stupid move.

Next time she races in NASCAR, she will have to qualify on speed.

[Shifter]

Unbelievable, I spoke too soon. Listen to this hack (I'd prefer to use another word or 2). Does she even stop to think before she talks? "She got taken out" "He turned down into me"...how about this DaniHa "I tried to stuff it into T1 and should've used a little more sense since he was off pace".

Typical Danica.

Caution for rain. In the meantime looking again at the lines people are taking into that corner, the smart thing to do would have been to follow McDowell into the corner from the highline and gotten him on exit, but yeah she stuffed it in there putting faith in the fact that a NW driver several laps down would be watching for faster cars, which of course he wasn't. 50/50 blame in my book.

In the meantime, if she didn't have two X chromasomes she'd get about as much attention as, say, Lagasse Jr, which is to say not much. Her achivement was being good enough to become a race car driver despite her sex. Now that she's been here in pro motorsports for awhile, its about damn time to treat her with the same standard everyone else gets, in this case someone who has shown not enough improvement as a driver over the last few years.

[beachgirl]

Well, that sucks, Michael McDowell takes Danica out of the race at lap 84.

That's racing, DF, and DP had best accept that if she wants to play with the big dogs in Nationwide. If she can't take it in Nationwide, she will be mince meat in Cup.

In Michael's defense, he gave her room to the left and the right. She just didn't take the half-lane she certainly had to get around him. Michael was quite gracious about it. He's one of the good guys in the sport.

[TURN3]

Didn't want to take up space quoting everybody but with one obvious exception...all good points. Michael McDowell just showed what a professional race car driver does. He took responsibility even though it was at worst 50/50. All about racing, I wouldn't blame Danica, she's inexperienced in that situation and racing does happen. The BIG BIG difference is how you handle it and she...well she's just not a professional race car driver on any level and in any form.

[Scotty G.]

Didn't want to take up space quoting everybody but with one obvious exception...all good points. Michael McDowell just showed what a professional race car driver does. He took responsibility even though it was at worst 50/50. All about racing, I wouldn't blame Danica, she's inexperienced in that situation and racing does happen. The BIG BIG difference is how you handle it and she...well she's just not a professional race car driver on any level and in any form.

Agree 100%.

DP has never made a mistake in her 20 some years on the planet. She certainly has never made a mistake on a race track.

If DP actually learned anything from her 3 week NASCAR vacation, she should record that interview with McDowell and see how "big boy" racers react when they have a bad day at the track. Sometimes, it is your fault. Sometimes its not your team's fault. Or the cars fault. Or another driver's fault. Or Lady Luck's fault. Or the series's fault.

Of course, when you go into a race and don't care where you finish and are treating it as "a test", then why should she be upset or admit to anything? It only hurts "the brand". :p :

[71Fan]

The guy truned down in to her. Plain and simple. Gracious? Perhaps. Truthful? Definately.

[NickFalzone]

McDowell had to move down because they were going into the turn and he didn't want to wash up into the marbles. She needed to back off and make the move later in the lap, his choice was get turned or go into the wall.

[TURN3]

I will say this, aside from the sideshow circus that I enjoy watching like a trapese artist without a net, there are some dang good young drivers coming up. Algaier, Buescher, Bayne, Scott, etc....almost all rookies in their 3rd race and they are making noise at the front. A couple of 19 yr olds...what is their excuse for being so much faster than the Danica in underfunded teams anyway? If I were a full blooded NASCAR fan I'd be pretty excited about the talent in this group.

[DanicaFan]

Here are the final results....

1.#33 Kevin Harvick
2. #20 Denny Hamlin
3. #60 Carl Edwards
4.#22 Brad Keselowski
5. #32 Brian Vickers
6. #99 Trevor Bayne
7. #12 Justin Allgaier
8. #98 Paul Menard
9. #27 Greg Biffle
10. #66 Steve Wallace
11. #01 Mike Wallace
12. #38 Jason Leffler
13. #62 Brandon Gaughan
14. #09 Scott Riggs
15. #21 John Wes Townley
16. #18 Kyle Busch
17. #43 Scott Lagasse Jr.
18. #87 Joe Nemechek
19. #61 Josh Wise
20. #70 Shelby Howard
21. #34 Eric McClure
22. #34 Tony Raines
23. #07 Danny Efland
24. #31 Stanton Barrett
25. #05 Willie Allen
26. #23 Robert Richardson Jr.
27. #40 Mike Bliss
28. #16 Colin Braun
29. #1 James Buescher
30. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
31. #11 Brian Scott
32. #26 Brian Keselowski
33. #15 Michael Annett
34. #28 Kenny Wallace
35. #42 Parker Kligerman
36. #7 Danica Patrick
37. #56 Kevin Lepage
38. #90 Danny O'Quinn Jr.
39. #81 Michael McDowell
40. #10 Chad Blount
41. #49 Mark Green
42. #88 Kelly Bires
43. #96 Dennis Setzer

[Scotty G.]

I enjoy watching like a trapese artist without a net, there are some dang good young drivers coming up. Algaier, Buescher, Bayne, Scott, etc....almost all rookies in their 3rd race and they are making noise at the front. If I were a full blooded NASCAR fan I'd be pretty excited about the talent in this group.


Again, I agree 100%.

Allgaier is really impressive to me. He was the one "non full time Cup guy" who could run with the "big dogs" up at the front. On old tires, too.

Penske has himself a future star.

I think Ricky Stenhouse is also very impressive. A little wild at times, but naturally fast. Roush would be smart to hang onto him too. Parker Kligerman (a young kid from ARCA) is also getting his feet wet in Nationwide and could have a nice future.

Bayne is being groomed for Waltrip's Cup team. He looks like he has talent.

Townley isn't bad either. Needs to get his act together off the track it appears, but he has been solid so far this year.

DP? Not particularly young. Not a special talent. No experience in this form of racing. Not impressive early in her tin-top career. If she was 19 like Bayne, it would be one thing. But she is approaching 30 now. With one career professional win in racing in her life.


NASCAR has it right. They have talented young drivers coming through the pipeline, who are being groomed to replenish the talent pool in Cup and keep the NASCAR ball rolling along.

Unlike Indy Cars, where young kids get into AOW (either through road racing or oval racing) and usually get stopped from going any farther because

A. they don't have the millions of dollars needed to fund their rides

or

B. they don't have the proper "background" for our beloved Indy Car owners

Its a hell of a concept. I wonder if any Indy Car teams are taking notes. I wonder if any Indy Car teams even have a clue why NASCAR is millions of miles ahead of them and why so few American kids even acknowledge them anymore?

[Mark in Oshawa]

The guy truned down in to her. Plain and simple. Gracious? Perhaps. Truthful? Definately.

Lesson number one about overtaking. The car doing to overtaking has the responbility to make a safe pass. The car in the back can SEE the other guy in plain sight, the front car has only mirrors, and in NASCAR a spotter. If the spotter for McDowell says "clear low" as Danica dive bombs the guy, that says to me the spotter figured like a normal sane human who drives stockcars wouldn't dive bomb the corner. He was wrong....so it is a 50-50 deal, but her attitude tells me she cant stand being on the track with mere mortals.

[Mark in Oshawa]

NASCAR has it right. They have talented young drivers coming through the pipeline, who are being groomed to replenish the talent pool in Cup and keep the NASCAR ball rolling along.

Unlike Indy Cars, where young kids get into AOW (either through road racing or oval racing) and usually get stopped from going any farther because

A. they don't have the millions of dollars needed to fund their rides

or

B. they don't have the proper "background" for our beloved Indy Car owners

Its a hell of a concept. I wonder if any Indy Car teams are taking notes. I wonder if any Indy Car teams even have a clue why NASCAR is millions of miles ahead of them and why so few American kids even acknowledge them anymore?
You are a one string guitar aren't you? We have this same argument on the other board and we have it here. The owners don't CARE about the passport of the driver. They CARE about the money being brought to the table by the sponsor and what driver the sponsor wants. With young drivers, they take chances yes on young drivers, but they do this only if they have sponsors that are trusting the team owner to make the right decision, or if the teams are hurting financially, they take often the driver with the money. You just fail to grasp that this is a business before it is a sport.

You wave that flag and you just have the most sophomoric attitude towards anyone who doesn't hire based purely on the citizenship. You refuse to see the lack of an evil plot here and it is maddening because on a lot of things Scott, you and I agree.

[beachbum]

I will say this, aside from the sideshow circus that I enjoy watching like a trapese artist without a net, there are some dang good young drivers coming up. Algaier, Buescher, Bayne, Scott, etc....almost all rookies in their 3rd race and they are making noise at the front. A couple of 19 yr olds...what is their excuse for being so much faster than the Danica in underfunded teams anyway? If I were a full blooded NASCAR fan I'd be pretty excited about the talent in this group.This years crop of young drivers is one of the most impressive in a long time. The next few years will see a changing of the guard, and based on the talent out there, the racing will be very good.

[slorydn1]

Since I have been on a 2 day self imposed black out,the following thoughts:

1) Another great win by Harvick in his own stuff, I hope he gets the pit crew straightened out,and decides to go for the championship

2) Danica, although she appreciated the fact that Harvick actually slowed down for a second and POINTED out the fast line to her as he was lapping her, was unable to do anything with it

3) There is a reason McDowell was booted from his CUP ride

4) All this Danica talk has clouded the fact that Shrub of all people isn't running up to snuff!

5) There is a week off in Nationwide coming up and then a trip to the blender on steroids we call Bristol Motor Speedway.....Thank GOD the Indy car series is starting up and we can get back to talking about DRIVERS and RACING again in the Nationwide Series, at least for a while, anyway :beer: