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Got caught up in the big one
What a &%$#@ day. I just got home from a long miserable day at Talladega. All we got to show for is a 39th place finish. The bad part is that we had a good car. Ryan was running a good race and we thought that our car would be strong at the end. It just sucks sitting there watching the big screen just waiting for the big one. As bad as that sounds, it s the truth. The only positive about today was how our team handle the situation. You can always tell how strong your team is when your involved in a major wreck like this. Its very easy for team members to get pissed off at the situation and not put forth the effort that is needed to get the car back on the track. After the wreck, we knew that we were going to work our butts off to repair the car and only hope to get a couple laps out of it. Our team is very strong in that we all work together and work as a team. We are one of the few teams that have a driver that gets out of the car and helps us in a crash situation. When the car came in Ryan got strait out and started helping get tools ready for the repair. After that the whole team started working to get all the pieces in place so that when the red flag was over we could start to work. If you didn't know, when the red flag comes out you can asses all the damage but you cant touch the car. Once all the cars are in the garage and the track is OK, the red flag is over and teams can start to work on there stuff. So any ways, we started to work on the car, we replaced about everything you can replace on a car. Everyone on the team did there job and handled the situation like professionals. You have no idea how chaotic it can get with 15 people trying to fix an entire car in less than 50 laps. Its amazing watching some of the guys in the garage and how good they are at what they do. Not only on our team but all the teams. By the time we were done working, we ended up making about two laps and brought it in. Its off to Darlington next week.
May 1, 2005 in Race Day | Permalink
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Comments
I hate it for the #12 team. Newman had the best Dodge and he and Mayfield could have worked together late in the race. Newman is always a threat at Darlington so it wouldn't surprise me if they contend for the win.
Posted by: Jay | May 1, 2005 9:13:51 PM
yeah i saw you guys rushing to try and get newman's car back on the track with 2 to go. they didn't go back and show you guys if you got it back on. guess you did.
also that's twice i've seen you guys tossing the football around before the green flag. now i know why newman gets poles, so you can have the front spot and have a place to throw the football around.
Posted by: mayorjimmy | May 1, 2005 10:49:01 PM
Sorry you guys got caught up in all of that mess. It is a shame that all of that time and money gets put into a racecar to make it as fast as you can and then just one little slip by anybody and all of it goes right out the window. I don't know what is more dangerous, 43 cars traveling at 190 all together or going 220 alone. I'm not sure what NASCAR is thinking?
Posted by: baker | May 2, 2005 8:59:33 AM
I think Nascar should really listen to the drivers in this situation. I know alot of them dont like the restrictor plate racing. The drivers are the ones out there running 2 inches apart for 4 hours, so I think they should have some say in how the race is going to be run. As far as cost goes, yeh, that's another 150,000 dollar car down the tubes.
Posted by: Trent | May 2, 2005 9:05:25 AM
There is no way that Newman had the best dodge out there... the only reason he led a few laps was becasue he pitted last... lol... I didn't see him racing his way to the front ... saw that Miller Light Dodge race it's way to second... and back up through the field after repairing that hole... McMurray had a good Dodge...as well as Mayfield...so as far as the best Dodges... well those 2 actually FINSIHED the race... I've seen more than my fair share of drivers working on the cars after wrecks... Newman wins no awards there.
Posted by: M Benson | May 2, 2005 10:32:41 AM
Trent, any ideas on what can be done about the two big tracks other than using plates? Dave Despain said last night that if there are no plates, then the cars go 210 and over and can get seriously airborne in a crash, like over-the-fence airborne. Plate racing may be exciting for the fans, but who can really argue for a race where half the field gets taken out at one time? Can something be done with gears to reduce speeds without restrictor plates?
Posted by: Doug | May 2, 2005 10:47:28 AM
Ryan Newman passed Kevin Harvick for the lead. He didn't just get to the lead on pit strategy. Rusty Wallace didn't even lead a lap. He is what 0 for 1000 on RP tracks.
Posted by: Jay | May 2, 2005 11:21:39 AM
I agree Jay, I don't know what race he was watching.
Posted by: Jeff | May 2, 2005 11:49:07 AM
Hey Trent...How about get in Jeff and Jay's shit like you got into mine for not sticking to the topic. Besides that guys I think that alot of people would agree that RP races are not races at all. If you can't pass a car on your own to win or even to gain a spot. That's not racing.
Posted by: Baker | May 2, 2005 12:13:23 PM
The bad part is that we had a good car. Ryan was running a good race and we thought that our car would be strong at the end. It just sucks sitting there watching the big screen just waiting for the big one.
The 12 team is the topic. But I agree with you about RP races.
Posted by: Jeff | May 2, 2005 1:51:47 PM
The 12 team is the topic. Rusty Wallace's stats are not.
NASCAR is not going to change anything about plate races. It draws a crowd and makes them money. Like Trent said in a previous post, $150,000 for a car to get tore all to pieces.
Posted by: Baker | May 2, 2005 2:39:28 PM
Nascar loves to make money.
Posted by: Trent | May 2, 2005 2:53:52 PM
I agree with David Poole and his "source:" If you don't like RP racing, don't show. No cars on the track = No fans in the stands. No fans in the stands = No revenue. No revenue = NASCAR making changes - and fast!
Certainly I realize that there are large, complex, expensive issues involved here; however, NASCAR has no motivation(at least that I am able to recgonize)for changing the current set up: the fans appear to be happy.
Are the current group of Frances solid enough to handle the collective efforts of the drivers? I'm just a kid in the stands. Obviously I have no idea, but I'd like to see some drivers start speaking with their feet.
Sorry you had to watch all of your hard work go up in smoke. And I agree - probably the only thing worse than watching it happen is knowing that it will happen and waiting for it. Better luck next week.
Posted by: Reed | May 2, 2005 4:14:41 PM
Trent I am so sorry that Dale Jr. caused the wreck that took you guys out.
Posted by: George | May 2, 2005 5:48:19 PM
George,
You don't need to apologize for what happened to the 12 car unless you are a Jimmie Johnson fan since he was the cause of the wreck thatok out 25 cars. Everything was running greta until Johnson decided to push up the track right into the rear quarter panel of the #4 car. Earnhardt fully admits that he was pushing the back bumper of the #4 car, but that didn't turn him into the wall. It was being hit in the quarter panel by the impatient #48 and it is plain as day by the replays. So you can blame Junior all you want but it isn't true.
Posted by: Jon | May 2, 2005 7:34:27 PM
Trent,
Has Penske South ever won a plate race? I can't remember very many good finishes at 'Tona and 'Dega for the boys.
Maybe it's time to step up the plate program so your drivers are leading and not stuck in the middle or back of the pack. Although incidents have happened at the front of the pack too, there are fewer in the front than the middle or back of that pack.
You've certainly got good capable drivers at Penske South
Posted by: Cliff Wahl | May 3, 2005 11:43:17 AM
We were running 10th when we got wrecked. Our plate program is becoming a major part in our program, so were getting there. Its takes time to play catch up.
Posted by: trent | May 3, 2005 1:11:38 PM
Nope... Penske South can't stake claim to a RP race yet... but... they will... history doesn't show good runs because of accidents... but the Penske South camp usually do run up front at RP races... they just haven't been able to "seal the deal"
Posted by: M Benson | May 3, 2005 2:04:56 PM
Yeah, Penske has been close for several years. Mayfield almost won the 98 Daytona 500, and Rusty almost won the 99 500. Rusty has come close several times at Dega too. Newman has been strong at both Daytona and Dega this year.
Posted by: Jay | May 3, 2005 2:49:01 PM
Yup Jay.. it's all about having someone push you to the win at the plate tracks... well usually... Gordo proved that theory wrong this year...
Posted by: M Benson | May 3, 2005 2:55:06 PM
no one can come close to rusty wallace.
Posted by: linda | May 3, 2005 4:42:42 PM
Ditto Linda... there isn't a driver at Penske that will come close to taking that team to where Wallace has... Newman may be the Queen of Poles... but that doesn't pay the bills... in my opinion... and I'm sure it doesn't matter... Newman is a lazy driver...
And if what I heard is true... that Matt and Ryan may not re-up if Rusty is still there... well that just goes to show who is holding back the Penske organization... Rusty Wallace has many faults... but he also has a lot to give to the teams at Penske South... he has learned from his own mistakes... that teams need to work together... why not take advantage of him wanting to do that... like Roush... and Hendrich have thier teams... I think this is more about an ego deal with Matt and Ryan... and I hate to tell them both... they will never do or be to Penske South... what Rusty Wallace has... I've never really been a Wallace fan... but... you can't ignore the fact that he holds a lot of knowledge and brings "class" to the Penske South camp.
Posted by: M Benson | May 4, 2005 11:24:58 AM
I disagree, Rusty Wallace hasn't come close what Ryan Newman has done since 2002. That's been the problem. Same thing with Mayfield, when Jeremy started outrunning Wallace, he threatened to end to two-car team back in 1998. Jeremy Mayfield said that himself. Rusty has alot of problems with teammates. Especially the ones who beat him. From what I understand Newman and Borland have shared info with Rusty in the past but Rusty shrugs it off because he has no interest in the engineering side. He's old school. Now he acts like he wants to share info just to please the media.
I have always like Rusty Wallace alot, but I think he has issues with teammates.
Posted by: Jay | May 4, 2005 1:01:41 PM
I can't agree more Jay... About Wallace and teammates... but my point was that he is finally seeing what happens when teams work together... sometimes maturity comes later in life... esp. when an ego gets in the way... I'm also saying that Newman even tho he can drive... and has had a couple good years... will never do for Penske South like Wallace has in the past... Anyone can see there seems to be a lot of egos running around that camp...The blame if it needs to be placed I guess... should be on the majority share holder... the "boss" himself for not taking charge and making sure those teams work together no matter who is at fault... It can only help them... instead of hold t hem back.
Posted by: M Benson | May 4, 2005 6:47:49 PM
I definitely agree that Roger Penske should be handling these situations better. The in-fighting nearly destroyed Jeremy Mayfield's career. It's unfortunate because both Ryan and Rusty have alot to offer the team. Hopefully it'll get better because both the #12 and #2 are in contention for the chase.
Posted by: Jay | May 5, 2005 11:19:16 AM
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