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Give credit where credit is due
Whether you like him or not, JJ has dominated Charlotte for the last few years and he did it again. I guess dominated isn't exactly the right word but he won. JJ was all over the track for most of the night and when it counted he was up front. When he came down pit road during the next to last caution and everyone else stayed out we knew he was up to something. He got on a different pit strategy than the rest of us and his tires ended up holding on for him. It was a good call and paid off. As far as the points go we had a good night. We lost two positions but we gained about 60 on the leader. Pit road was crazy all night, Robby Gordon just about killed 10 people when he blew up his motor and decided to run across the infield and pull his car into the first opening where our pit stall was. There were fans all over the opening and here he comes wide open into the opening never checking up. Some of the 20 car guys who where in the front of the opening helped to clear some of the fans and camera guys out of the way. Any ways, it was a long night but we made up some ground on the leader and that's what we went there to do. This week at Martinsville it should get real good.
October 16, 2005 in Race Day | Permalink
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Comments
Last night was a crap shoot. It was nuts. It's not fun sitting on the edge of your seat wondering whose tire was going to go next and worrying it Ryan would be next. And that's from a fans perspective, I can't even imagine what you crew and the racers feel like. I'm glad it was a good points night. I'd rather Ryan be 4th but behind 17 points than 2nd and behind by 75. Great night over all...and good call by you guys to make sure Ryan had sufficient gas for that one lap...OK, bit of sarcasm, but it was funny and thankfully didn't hurt Ryan that much.
Posted by: Toni | Oct 16, 2005 1:48:12 PM
"Wide open," with a blown engine?
Posted by: Marc | Oct 16, 2005 2:49:07 PM
Great job Trent and crew, a top ten after that night is golden. Like you, I have alot of respect for Tony and I hate that he had to go out that way, but it makes for a great chase. I thought the same thing when the 48 came in on that stop. I thought I saw some fans throwing stuff at the 48 on his victory lap, and I know I heard the "boos" in victory lane. I think the 24 must have a huge magnet in the car, he can't finish a race without hitting something. Good Luck in Virginia, lets bring home another top 5!
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Oct 16, 2005 3:10:09 PM
BTW, That USC game before the race was almost as crazy as the race, great timing by NBC though.
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Oct 16, 2005 3:13:41 PM
Trent,
Smart, smart racing. We are championship racing here and it sure feels like it. You guys made adjustments based on the track and position all night. It was great to hear the humor on the scanner. There seems to be a distinct correlation between you guys cutting up and how you finish. Once again you showed how a great team takes what is thrown at them and makes it work. Making up around 60 points is not too shabby. Good luck at Martinsville!
Posted by: karen | Oct 16, 2005 4:20:43 PM
I was on the ONMC chat last night during the race and not too many on there were very happy with the way the race was going or went... The 3 of us Alltel fans thought they should have just called the race at the red flag..... We'd of taken the win that way...smile... Was proud of you guys though, you did an awesome job and did gain alot of points and that's all that matters.... But man, I really thought we were going to win that one....... but you'll get em next week....Keep of the good work...
Posted by: Darlene | Oct 16, 2005 5:33:08 PM
Darlene, I agree, and I said the same thing. If you go to Nascar.com, there is an article there that the 'higher ups' actually contemplated calling the race...darn, why didn't they do it when Ryan was in the lead..LOL!!!
Posted by: Toni | Oct 16, 2005 6:23:31 PM
Tell you what, I will give the well earned credit where it is due to another driver, one that is not some one that I cheer for, but impressed the hell out of me this weekend: Ryan Newman.
We all know what a horrible weekend it was for just about every team. Nascar once again reacted in its slow way to fix any issue that almost every driver predicted, which was blown tires that ruined the weekend for many fans. However, Ryan managed to not only win one race, but finish 7th in the cup car. Yes, the track was horrible this weekend, but my hat is off to Ryan for figuring out how to run so well.
Posted by: brian | Oct 17, 2005 12:42:55 AM
Back from the race and it was a blast. Obviously when your driver wins the Busch race and can come home 7th in the Cup race with both cars in one piece, it is great.
He gained on the leader in the chase which is always good. Of course Stewarts mishaps let a lot of drivers back in it for the final 5 races. It is on to Martinsville, and no doubt about it...I am so there. Good luck to the Alltel Team.
Posted by: Rashaun | Oct 17, 2005 7:55:50 AM
Too bad your driver can't give credit where credit is due...Maybe you should print out your blog and let him read it. LMBO
Posted by: Gary | Oct 17, 2005 9:38:19 AM
Gary,
What??? Did I miss something?
Posted by: Ann | Oct 17, 2005 9:56:25 AM
Hey Trent,
Glad for the 12 teams result. I wonder if ya woulda' jumped on the pit road event if the driver were anyone else. Everyone is there at their own risk. Glad no one got hurt. Maybe there will be a race at Martinsville. One can hope.
Posted by: Larry | Oct 17, 2005 11:09:21 AM
Ann,
Gary is referring to Newman calling the 48 win lucky...
quoted from www.thatsracin.com...
"We had a shot at winning the race," Newman said. "The 48 (Jimmie Johnson) plain got lucky. He had battery problems and everything else. Timing-wise, with the way the tire situation was, they just plain got lucky."
JJ did get lucky at this race, but whoever one this one would've had to have had some luck. But JJ and crew also played it smart to be there in the end and you can't take that away from them.
And oh, by the way when it gets to winning 5 out of the last 6 races there, I wouldn't call that luck.
Posted by: JimJohn8 | Oct 17, 2005 11:18:46 AM
I don't blame NASCAR for considering ending the race early, the problem with that is how it would have affected the points. If Ryan had won the race because NASCAR ended it, people would be up in arms over the win. Atleast we got a top 10 the old fashion way. Great calls all night, keep it up.
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Oct 17, 2005 11:19:45 AM
I dont think Newman was making the comment based on the 48's driving abilities. All things considered, I would bet the comment was more about them overcoming the battery issues and how teams were cutting down tires. But I guess that is left up to one's own interpretations.
Johnson was not the typical dominant car as in years past, but he did position himself to be at the right place at the right time. So in the end that is all that matters, he got the win whether he dominated on or not. Thats racin
Posted by: Rashaun | Oct 17, 2005 11:46:03 AM
Thanks JimJohn8,
Hadn't seen that quote yet.
I'll agree that JJ and team do seem to have this track figured out.
But for this race.... clearly with all of it's problems. I also believe that no matter what driver ended up winning this race you could say some Luck was on their side. I even say that luck was on a drivers side just finish unscathed.
Based on some of the things that Jimmy has been quoted as saying, it even looks like he even thinks that some of it was luck. He just didn't come out and use the word.
From Jimmy:
``I don't have a clue what took place tonight,'' Johnson said. ``We had problem after problem. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.''
``I can't believe that we always end up somehow toward the front at the end of a race ... this one in the closing laps after a long night of adversity,'' Johnson said. ``We changed batteries, the alternator had some troubles, flat tire, all kinds of crazy things.''
IMO had all of these problems not occurred. The cars to beat Sat. night were Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler, and Kyle Busch.
Posted by: Ann | Oct 17, 2005 11:49:25 AM
Gosh..I love Jimmie Johnson! I was disapointed to see Sadler and Kahne crash...Kahne could have easly won!
Posted by: Jen | Oct 17, 2005 12:34:57 PM
JJ was lucky, Newman was right. Call Newman what you will but he speaks nothing but the truth. He wasn't taking anything away from Johnson's win, he obviously deserved to win, but facts are facts, Johnson put himself in position to win again, give credit to the 48 team. He capitalized on everyone's misfortune.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Oct 17, 2005 12:41:34 PM
Im confused...what did Newman say about Jimmie's win?
Yo Trent,
What happened with the gas can? Somebody said it had to do with the jackman putting the car down too fast and because of that they couldn't take out the can?!?
Posted by: Jen | Oct 17, 2005 12:52:08 PM
Agreed Ann and 19Jay12. As I said before, whoever would have won would have had to have been lucky... however I don't think this race just fell in the 48's lap or as Newman put it "... just plain lucky," Of course JJ was lucky, but to start from the back, have a flat tire and alternator problems I think they just played it smart using strategy (not running hard until the end - Kurt Busch did the same thing, finished 2nd) and of course... luck.
But it's kind of like playing a football game in a down pour... the other team has to play in the same conditions, whoever can adapt better... wins.
Sadler, Stewart and Busch were the dominant cars.
Posted by: JimJohn8 | Oct 17, 2005 12:58:49 PM
did anyone catch the program last night on CNN about NASCAR? it was really good...i now have a new respect for the drivers and crew
Posted by: Jen | Oct 17, 2005 2:15:10 PM
Sorry Jen, I missed it.
Do you happen to know if they are going to replay it?, and when? Thanks
Posted by: Ann | Oct 17, 2005 4:40:25 PM
Yes, I caught that CNN special last night and have to say it shines a whole new light on the fact that these drivers ARE athletes. Any number of professionals in the medical and mental field all agree on that one. It's amazing to see what one's body goes through in a 4 or 5 hour race in 85 degree heat. I can't believe that Rusty Wallace lost 11 lbs. in one race!! That sounds like my kinda diet plan...LOL.
Great job and finish Trent. Keep up the good work and good luck at Martinsville!
Posted by: Mandy24 | Oct 17, 2005 5:32:50 PM
Ann,
Yes, I'm sure it will be replayed, but I'm not sure when. Look for that on your guide in the middle of the night. That's when they usually replay stuff like that. It might also show up on SPEED channel or something. It's definately worth the time to see. Excellent job by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I just like saying that name...LOL. That's my 2 cents for the afternoon. C-y'all.
Posted by: Mandy24 | Oct 17, 2005 5:42:23 PM
Great race, just very, very happy that nothing bad happened. I did not want to see you get wrecked. That would have been bad.
Next week is another week, and another chance. Run like you want to win.
Posted by: Nascar_Lady | Oct 17, 2005 7:50:17 PM
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