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September 06, 2005
Gordon voices confidence in Loomis
Call it a different kind of confidence game.
Jeff Gordon expressed a ton of confidence in crew chief Robbie Loomis on Tuesday while talking with reporters and allowing that Loomis might not return to his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team next season. No doubt that confidence is shared throughout the Hendrick organization.
In some aspects of life as we know it, Robbie Loomis wouldn't have to prove anything to anybody. He's led Gordon and his team to a Cup championship and a bucket slam full of race wins.
But we're talking about NASCAR Nextel Cup racing here, arguably the most competive form of motorsports in the world today. And, as is the case in much of the rest of the workaday world in 2005, every day is race day.
In ThatsRacin.com's current Poll Position - as unscientific a sampling as there's ever been - seven in every 10 respondents in early balloting were voting again Gordon and his team making NASCAR's second Chase for the Championship. That's not the kind of confidence you'd expect to see in a Hendrick Motorsports team, particularly one with four titles under its belt.
Be confident in this much though, regardless of any and all the anticipated spin: Hendrick Motorsports and Robbie Loomis will do the right thing as this one unfolds.
NBC scores with 18-49 age group
NBC's coverage of Sunday night's Sony HD 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race was a ratings winner and a placer, too, according to the overnights.
Medialifemagazine.com reports that the race was tops among viewers in the 18-49 age group, posting a 2.6 average rating.
Among households, CBS took the lead early in the evening, from 7 to 8 p.m., as some viewers took a pass on prerace programming, opting instead for “60 Minutes.” But that part of the show hung in for second, edging ABC's “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” medialifemagazine.com said.
At 8, CBS was still out front with a repeat of “Cold Case” and held on through the rest of prime time with the movie “Along Came a Spider.” Race coverage, while high in that key demographic, remained in second among households.
No accounting for taste, huh?
September 6, 2005 in Racing | Permalink
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Comments
PLEASE LETS JUST GET JEFF BACK INTO THE SWING . I HAVE WATCH HIM FOR 11 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM SO DOWN WITH HIS ATTITUDE. HE HAS ALWAYS HAD A GOOD ATTUITUDE EVEN IN BAD TIMES. WINNING IS NOT EVERTHING BUT HE HAS ALWAYS SEEM HAPPY WITH HIMSELF BUT NOT LATELY SO I HOPE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO BRING THAT CHEER BACK IN THE 24 PITS AND CAR. BUT EVEN THO HE LOSES I WILL STILL WATCH AND ENJOY THE SHOW HE PUTS ON I KNOW YOU CANNOT WIN ALL THE TIME.
Posted by: BARBARA | Sep 26, 2005 10:42:51 AM
AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO FELT FUNNY THIS WEEKEND NOT WATCHING THE RACE FROM DARLINTON? BEEN A FAN SINCE 79 DAYTONA!
Posted by: DAVID DUMONT | Sep 9, 2005 11:17:00 AM
Gordon and Loomis struggle with the downforce/tires-how about just taking the exact same setup from one of his teamates and try running that. Their setups seem to be good enough to win and run in the top 5 most of the time. Loomis needs to go-maybe back to the where he came from-lately the 24 has been running with the Petty cars more than up front and that isn't normal.
Posted by: Bill | Sep 8, 2005 8:23:07 PM
I think Gordon and Loomis have struggled with the downforce/tire combo, but add that with the fact that there are alot of better drivers out there that are haveing good year, Gordon was bound to struggle. Even Earnhardt himself, Sr that is, had a year where he finished 12th in points, it happens. Gordon has had so much success that he and his fans aren't used to this, and really don't know what to think.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Sep 8, 2005 1:07:38 PM
Buddy,
Why the heck would he do that...not even half the fans or exposure. We won't go into sponsor issues. The IRL would jump at that though...as Danica fades they'll need something else to drive that series. But Gordon, I can't see that happening.
Posted by: Keith | Sep 7, 2005 10:00:55 PM
Buddy,
I dono't think you can claim that jeff lost interest in nascar just because he is having one bad year. All the great ones have bad years.
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 7, 2005 5:54:24 PM
I am asking if Robbie Loomis is putting all of his interest in the team. He has been pre-occupied with family matters for a long time. I also recently read that he had signed a new contract, not actually significant in $$$, but big benefits. There are too many questions and too many problems with the 24 team. I am still hoping that Jeff makes the chase inspite of all of the problems.
Posted by: trueto24 | Sep 7, 2005 5:42:22 PM
I recently attended the race at Michigan Intl. Speedway. Jeff Gordon or Robbie Loomis should send me a check for $600.00. Robbie Loomis can not make any adjustments to help improve the handling of the 24. I am about ready to pack up all my Gordon hats, jackets, shirts, and send them to Hendrick Motorsports. Please find a new crew chief, or do something to help improve the 24. This is pathetic!!!!!!
Posted by: chris | Sep 7, 2005 2:48:25 PM
If Gordon doesn't make the chase, he should consider a jump into IRL for at least one race or so. He's still young enough and would command at least as much attention. Personally, I don't think he's having as much fun and needs a change of scenery. There are at least three other NASCAR drivers that should try it as well.
Posted by: Buddynoel | Sep 6, 2005 11:03:01 PM
When we are talking about a guy of gordon's accomplishements i find it a little hard to believe that the driver isn't adaptable. Rules and cars have changed a lot since he came into racing but never has he endured a slump like this.
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 6, 2005 6:44:12 PM
48fan, could it be that Gordon is refusing to adapt his driving style to the new downforce/tire combination? We've seen how it has crippled Ryan Newman and other drivers.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Sep 6, 2005 6:00:56 PM
As a hendrick fan i have no confidence is loomis whatsoever. When i saw a 1.5 or 2 mile race on the schedule, i expect the 24 bunch to stink because that's all they have done this year. They had no made adjustments and we are now down to 10 races in the season. Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers are out running Gordon week in and week out and that's not what you expect from a driver and team that have 72 wins.
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 6, 2005 5:07:51 PM
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