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Chad Knaus, not impressed
I tried to avoid talking about this but after Thursday I had to say something. I was feeling better Thursday and was sick of hanging around the hauler watching TV. I decided to go over and take a look at the 48 car's latest rule break. I was caught off guard just a little bit. All I had been hearing about was how smart Chad K. was and how he was always pushing the envelope to develop new and creative ways to help his team. Let me tell you this was not one of them. The hose clamp that was used was about as elaborate as it got. My question to some other people in the hauler looking at the piece was this, was this really going to help them. I guess not, the 24 out qualified them without it. My other question was this, Do you think Rick Hendrick knew about this devise before it was put on the car. Most of the people in the hauler agreed that he probably did not know. Either way it puts another bad notch in the Hendrick archives. As far as the 150's go, I found out how few drivers like ours. We couldn't get help all day and got hung out to dry many times. Maybe it was just me thinking that but it sure looked like it on TV. Every time we were heading to the front I started hearing outside and no help over the head set. It takes a long time to get up front but only a strait away to go to the rear. Hopefully this Sunday will be different. Oh, one more thing, congrats to the 24 team for there win. Two guys off of our 77 car are on the pit crew over there now and I was happy to see them in victory lane. OK I'm done now.
February 17, 2006 in Race talk | Permalink
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Comments
Funny, but Kurt looked a lot like Rusty during that race. Ran well all race, made a move, left out to dry, worked back up to top 10. Guess the Blue Duece doesn't look to good to a lot of those guys out there. I didn't see as much of the 12, but the 2 was fast. Just gotta get some partners.
Posted by: Hulksdaddy | Feb 17, 2006 6:43:19 PM
Cheating.
There is a very good article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal about cheating crew chiefs. Its by Ken Willis. It was written a few days ago.
It's Called It takes one to know one.
Congrats to #24.
Posted by: Woody | Feb 18, 2006 8:30:58 AM
Cheating.
There is a very good article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal about cheating crew chiefs. Its by Ken Willis. It was written a few days ago.
It's Called It takes one to know one.
Congrats to #24.
Posted by: Woody | Feb 18, 2006 8:31:02 AM
Rick Hendrick is a felon and a cheat and it's no surprise that his teams follow in the same mold. CK has been busted numerous times since 2001 and this is the first time they have really done anything.
Posted by: Mike | Feb 18, 2006 8:32:03 AM
Trent you just jumps miles in my book. The 24 Team is on the move. As far as the 48....every team pushes in one area or another...most just haven't been caught. I agree Chad should be punished. Chad has been caught and has been punishedbut he has been caught and punished before also...Maybe you should study up Mike.
Posted by: Kim | Feb 18, 2006 9:07:38 AM
Trent,
Ryan seems to be pretty good on the restrictor plate tracks and runs well up front. Why is it you think that nobody will pull up and help him?
Chad Knaus is giving Hendrick and himself a bad name. Way to start off the new season!! I hope they stop with all this "trying to bend the rules" stuff. They're going to punish you for it now...no matter who you are. Finally! Maybe now that they've cracked the whip on CK, he'll realize that he's no different than jim-bob down in the next race shop.
It's also good to hear that you're feeling better. Good Luck tomorrow!
Posted by: Mandy24 | Feb 18, 2006 11:21:22 AM
Mandy24, I dont really know why Ryan cant get any help. I dont know if the other drivers think we are slow or that they dont trust him. Either way we better figure something out for Sunday cause you need friends out there when your at Daytona. It is frustrating when you havea good car and cant get anyone to go with you.
Posted by: trent | Feb 18, 2006 1:03:06 PM
After the Dual, I was on the ONMC board and I posted something like that on there about the NO help..... There definately was NO help for Newman..... not sure why either..... I thought maybe it was cause of Stewarts comment about him nearly knocking his head off, so everyone was avoiding him, but then, he never really has much help at those races... On one website, can't remember which one, but they were giving their picks and who's what and where, Ryan, was in the AVOIDANCE section, the one to stay away from, because they said he can't finish a Restrictor plate race??? Just him and another driver were in that section.... kinda irritated me, but we'll make it..... Yall are a STRONG team!!!
Good Luck Tommorow!!!!!
Posted by: Darlene | Feb 18, 2006 4:51:01 PM
Kim,
Dec. 10, 2001: Hired by Hendrick Motorsports as crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet.
_ July 11, 2002: Fined $25,000 for having improperly installed mounting bolts. The team also was docked 25 championship points and 25 owner points.
_ July 23, 2002: Fined $5,000 for cursing during a live television interview, NASCAR's first sanction for profanity.
_ May 21, 2003: Fined $1,000 for using an unapproved air-directional device during NASCAR's All-Star race.
_ May 26, 2003: Signed five-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.
_ May 27, 2003: Fined $2,500 for using an unapproved refrigerant.
_ March 15, 2005: Suspended two races and fined $35,000 because Johnson's race-winning car failed to meet the minimum height requirement during post-race inspection at Las Vegas. The team also was docked 25 championship points, which knocked Johnson out of the points lead.
_ March 16, 2005: Appealed suspension.
_ March 23, 2005: National Stock Car Racing Commission overturned the suspension and placed Knaus on 90 days of probation, but upheld the fine and the points penalty.
_ Sept. 30, 2005: NASCAR changes a rule regarding shock absorbers after Knaus exploited a loophole that caused Johnson's car to fail post-race inspection at Dover International Speedway.
_ Feb. 12, 2006: Johnson's qualifying time for the Daytona 500 was disqualified after the car failed a post-qualifying inspection.
Wow, they have done a whole lot to curve him from doing things he's not supposed to do. Docking them 25 points isn't even a drop in the bucket for these guys when your running 36 races
_ Feb. 13, 2006: Suspended from the Daytona 500 for raising the rear window on Johnson's car to alter the aerodynamics during the team's qualifying run.
They've done alot to curve his cheating habits. He's been fined a total of 50 points for all the infrations that he's had over the years.
They did suspend him for using unapproved safety gear for Stacy Compton in 2001 but that was before he worked for HMS.
Posted by: Mike | Feb 18, 2006 6:53:30 PM
Trent,
Maybe, it's the Dodge and not the Driver. How well does the dodge draft with the other makes or other dodges even?
As for CKs' cheat being insignificant. Well, maybe it was, but this is Daytona and even the 24 had painted on decals to cheat that evil god "Friction."
Posted by: Keith | Feb 18, 2006 7:10:30 PM
Hey Trent !
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Yes, the 2 car drafted with the same results as before. That is why I emphasized how important it is that the 2 & the 12 work together. My theory has always been that others choose not to help the P cars out of plain ole' jealousy. They know that they have good cars week in and week out. Remember the only plate race R won was with LilBrother pushing him. 98beershootout. It was good to see both cars run very well in spite of lack of help.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 18, 2006 7:31:01 PM
I agree with Ryan being left out to dry too often. The drivers have nothing but good things to say about him, yet he does get little help. Kind of seemed that way in the IROC race, Kinser and Truex were the only guys who tried to stick with him before the wreck. In my opinion, the way he drove that damaged car to the front showed his skills in the draft. Go get 'em tomorrow, Kurt will be out there this time. Bring that win home for Penske!!
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Feb 18, 2006 11:30:58 PM
Seems like the #2 and the #12 tried to work together today. Maybe, unlike with RW, you'll have a "works with" teammate. How refreshing would that be?
Posted by: Keith | Feb 19, 2006 9:32:08 PM
I can't believe I rooted for Kurt Busch today, it was nice to see the cars work together. I don't think a 'plate win is far off for you guys, some great pit-stops as well. Here's to Ryan being the point leader after next Sunday, AWESOME!!!
Posted by: MoparDave | Feb 19, 2006 9:53:54 PM
Oh my gosh.....I was the biggest Ryan Newman fan I've ever been on that final restart. Anybody but Hendrick MotorSports. Casey Mears, what the hell were you thinking???? Trent is going to love this. As much as I ragged on him and his driver last year, I had to root for him because I absolutely hate the Hendrick bunch. Nice run for you guys, Trent. I was pulling for Mears to go with you, but his inexperience showed. I believe that if he had gone with the 12 like he said, Sadler and the rest of the bunch would have freight-trained Jimmy's ass all the way back to his cheating crew chief in Mooresville.
Posted by: Ironman | Feb 19, 2006 10:16:31 PM
Hey Trent, your picture is in USA Today! Check out picture #6 in their online picture gallery for the 500!
Posted by: Jo | Feb 19, 2006 10:59:09 PM
P.S. - Before Trent says to me, "Thanks, but no thanks," I have to say that if Newman would've been in Victory Lane, I would've been saying, "Damn, too bad it had to be 'Mr. Congeniality' in Victory Lane, and I wish it had been Junior or Sadler, but at least it wasn't fucking Johnson!" Oh well. At least I'm honest. Anybody but Hendrick Motorsports.
Posted by: Ironman | Feb 19, 2006 11:14:00 PM
Congrats on 2nd place. Oh wait, sorry, 3rd.
I forgot the name of that old Roy Orbison song. Oh, i remember...."Crying."
Posted by: Woody | Feb 20, 2006 5:41:46 AM
Hey Trent !
Great team effort. Shoulda',coulda'....
On to Cali....
Was that class or what, JJ dedicating the win to "haters", instead of team, sponsor or fans..well, he is consistent.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 20, 2006 9:33:20 AM
J.J deceided to dedicate the race to me.I thought that was really nice.In honor of his victory I beat my 7 year old daughter in a couple of games of go-fish. Of course I cheated. Thanks Jimmie for making being a hater so easy.
Posted by: hostage94 | Feb 20, 2006 10:42:07 AM
Ryan can only look to his post race comments to see why he can't get any help drafting. I try to give Ryan the benefit of the doubt, but he just sounded like a jack ass in his post race interview and the press conference. You got your best finish ever at Daytona, smile and be happy. Don't call the guy who beat you a cheater. The 48 car wasn't illegal. It had an illegal part. It was found, taken off the car and that's that. It's happened many times. The only reason cars get confisicated is because their construction (chassis and or body) doesn't fit the Nascar template. No way to fix that.
Then he accused Johnson of blocking. Johnson held his line at the bottom of the track. He forced anyone who wanted to pass him to do it on the outside. Ryan couldn't do it, plain and simple.
Ryan and Jimmie are supposedly friends, so to call out your friend like that just because you couldn't beat him is pretty sad. Ryan forgets all the "cheating" talk he got a few years ago winning the fuel mileage races.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 20, 2006 10:43:01 AM
Granted Ryan's post race comments where harsh, but its not like some of us weren't thinking it. If you want to talk about comments, JJ had a few zingers himself - talk about arrogant, dedicating his win to the "haters"....and then he had this scathing comment..."I think he (Newman) is jealous he doesn't have a crew chief in there working as hard as I do to make his cars as good," Johnson said.
But you see, Michael...the 12 car was NEVER found cheating...not even during the 8 win season...and thats the difference!
Posted by: Janelle | Feb 20, 2006 11:07:07 AM
Well Janelle, I'll make it clear first that I'm not a Johnson fan. Second, I thought Johnson's "haters" comment was stupid, but it was in jest. He has taken a lot more criticism than Ryan has in his career. As far as Johnson's comment about Newman's crew chief, good for him. If Ryan's going to bash his friend on TV, than good for Jimmie for firing back. Frankly, I would have said a lot more. Than point I was making was, Ryan wonders why people don't respect him and give him help on the track. Well, I think his race comments kind of hinted at the reason why. He had a great race, but just couldn't be happy. He and Matt haven't had the winning touch for a few seasons now and I think it's getting to him.
Johnson beat him fair and square. Be a man and suck it up.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 20, 2006 11:19:27 AM
Oh come on Michael. We ALL know that Drivers make comments in the heat of the moment. Though I think that that Ryan's comment may have been a bit displaced, and not appropriate at that moment. Ryan has CERTAINLY been on the receiving end of driver bashing driver far MORE Often than he has ever dished out. Maybe he's tired of being their punching bag (and DOES suck it up), and decided to fire out first this time. We all know that even when he is nice to these guys, and he playing nice. They still haven't helped him on the track. Ryan and JJ being friends and all. Where has the help been on JJ's end.
Well, I'll admit that its nice that you thought JJ's hater comment was just as stupid. Cause so did I .......as well as Tony's to boot.
See my point about the heat of the moment? They are ALL guilty of it.
By the way.....Ryan also said this....
"I think a lot of Jimmie Johnson and his talent ... but I'm pretty sure that three of his past four wins have had conflict with the cars being illegal. It's not necessarily good for the sport."The point that should be driven home," Newman said, "is if ... the situation happens time and time again with a certain individual, there's something more that should be done other than suspension. I think that's important to the sport."
Note the compliment first.
Quite frankly I don't think there are far more fans that see Ryan's point, than not. He just happened to say it first.
By next week. They will all shake hands and move on.
Have a good one.
Posted by: Ann | Feb 20, 2006 12:13:34 PM
Ryan's comments about Jimmie blocking were absurd and laughable. Jimmie was just protecting his line. And if that's not really racing as Ryan said so, then what the hell does he think he does out there. Ryan is always blocking when people are trying to pass and at all tracks not just the RP tracks, but I guess when he does it - it's just racing. Personally I think Ryan is a little jealous. Even though beat Jimmie out for ROY, has he ever finished the season ahead of Jimmie in the points? Don't think so.
Congrats 48 team.
Posted by: josh | Feb 20, 2006 12:36:21 PM
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