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Gordon Crushes Kenseth
For the most part I try to keep my blog posts focused on racing from my perspective as a weekend pit crew member and leave the highlights and controversy to the mainstream media.
Everyone will be talking about the Gordon/Kenseth finish, Juan Pablo Montoya, Buschwackers and the Mayfield/Evernham fued. I usually like to stick to the topics that you wont hear, the pit crew fist fight on the charter plane Saturday morning, my run in with Scottie Pippin on pit road or Buscaglieo’s recovery from spinal surgery.
But this week, I’m going to make an exception and talk about Gordon/Kenseth.
First of all, I’ll give you my disclaimer and my personal opinion of Jeff, as a "fan". I’ve never been a big fan of his. The nasal-ness of his voice and his “pretty boy” image has always hit a nerve with me.
Any driver who is as talented as Jeff really should have a Harry Gant or Davy Allison image. The California boy turned stock car sensation doesn’t settle well with my “good ol’ boy” NASCAR ruff and tough racing image.
When Kenseth bumped Gordon out of the way at Bristol I was the first to citizen Gordon for trying to fight an apologetic Kenseth and not being man enough to remove his helmet first.
I’ll follow up that post today by giving Gordon the credit that he deserves for giving Kenseth a little classic NASCAR payback. The type of payback that would make any Allison or Yarbrough a proud victor.
What comes around goes around in NASCAR, and life in general, so when you win by the bumper you damn well better be willing to loose by the bumper and I congratulate Gordon for remembering that instead of settling for second place.
Did Jeff hit Kenseth on purpose? Hell yes.
Do you think Kenseth should have tried to fight Gordon on pit road after Sunday’s race?
Here is a huge fact that I haven’t heard anyone mention about Gordon’s victory on Sunday…
Gordon's win in Chicago gives him 75 career victories which is just one win away from tying Dale Earnhardt's 76 victories. How many of Earnhardt’s victories came in the same fashion as Gordon’s did on Sunday?
Does it matter?
A win is a win right?
DT
July 10, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
Hey DT,
Good point. The 24 is still 50 shy of the 3 in winning "that" way.
You're sorta right on Rusty. He did pass the next week at Darlington, however he did find a good time to not get out of the throttle at Richmond shortly after. Rusty used to say he wouldn't retaliate(smartman), cause with his luck he would hurt someone bad.
This is another BIG change in the sport. Now if you are hungry, you can whack. cool.
I thought Jeffy was good enough to pass him clean, but chose not to. Interesting.
A new season has begun!! cool, again. Great save by the 17, by the way.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 10, 2006 9:05:25 AM
DT,
Kenseth finished 4th or 5th at Bristol and he went over to say sorry as soon as he got out of his car. Jeffy wrecked him for the win. Any driver can drive through someone to get a win. He had the better car and he had plenty of time to get around him, he made up a 2 second gap in about 5 laps. He just made the choice to wreck him. It wasn't a love tap to get him loose he wrecked him.
The difference between Gordon and Earnhardt was that Sr. would just tap you back after you did it to him and not piss and moan like a little girl about it.
Gordon has had everything handed to him since he started driving. The best cars, crew, and crew chief.
I wish he would have tried to pull that crap with Tony Stewart because Stewart would have got out of his car and punched little Jeffy in the face and I would have had a grin from ear to ear.
The sad part is I was actually starting to gain respect for Gordon. Now you can flush that down the crapper.
Posted by: Mike J | Jul 10, 2006 9:14:00 AM
By the way, what did you mean by the fist fight on the charter plane to the track?
Posted by: Mike J | Jul 10, 2006 9:15:54 AM
Mike J.-
There was a fist fight on one of the charter planes that was taking several pit crews to Chicago for the Busch race Saturday morning. One guy was upset because another was late to the plane so he knocked the guy out as he boarded! One went to the hospital and the other to jail. Fighting on an airplane is a federal offense incase anyone want’s to “try that at home”.
DT
Posted by: DT | Jul 10, 2006 9:24:57 AM
Payback for Bristol, definately. But hovering in 10 in points isn't the best place to pull that crap. a retaliation against 24 might keep him out of the Chase this year. As usual no penalty for the Hendrick team, even though gordo is part owner of the car that benefited from Kenseth's trouble. Just because Dale sr. did it don't make it right, and there were plenty of boo's from the crowd to prove it. That's why Richard Petty is the King and Dale is the Intimidator. Moving somebody is one thing, wrecking is unacceptable, especially on a multi-grooved speedway with plenty of time to pass cleanly. Gordo does this every year, without penalty, and is a crybaby if he isn't given his way on the track. Sure hope he has to race his way in at Richmond, he'll be sorry he dumped Kenseth.
Posted by: MoparDave | Jul 10, 2006 9:28:04 AM
Clearly Kenseth knew that Jeff had a faster car. He said it repeatedly after the race. Why the hell didn't he just get out of Jeff's way then. What did he expect would happen if he continued to block him. Did he forget the fact that he punted Jeff had Bristol? That's the stupidest sound bite for getting wrecked. "I knew I was slowing Jeff up, but he should have sat around and waited until I was ready for him to pass me." Kenseth is just as big a whiner as Jeff is. By the way, he's had the best of equipment handed to him since he's been Nascar racing too, just took him longer to get there than Jeff.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 10, 2006 9:29:14 AM
DT,
A fist fight on the charter plane to the track. Please tell that story.
As for Little Jeffy Gordon- I agreee his nasal whiney voice ruined the sport's image. I'm sure folks will come and tell us that the sport needed to grow beyond that image.
Have you ever noticed how it's never Jeff's fault when he's in one of them 'thats racing deals?' It's always the other guy's fault.
I'd like to know your thoughts about driver 8, dotchay wish he were a little more like his dad on the track? I remember a Winston where he allowed the 12 to block him. The 12 went on to win the Winston. Big E would have dumped the 12 and enjoyed the win that day
Posted by: Cliff Wahl | Jul 10, 2006 9:30:35 AM
Sorry, DT, you provided a response as I was typing my message. I was at work and got distracted by work for a moment and didn't check for a response...
Posted by: cliff wahl | Jul 10, 2006 9:35:05 AM
I hardly consider Roush to have had the best equiptment when Kenseth came in, no Championships, maybe the fourth or fifth at best.
Posted by: MoparDave | Jul 10, 2006 9:52:30 AM
"The nasal-ness of his voice and his “pretty boy” image has always hit a nerve with me." I totally agree with you on this Dennis. I've said time and time again that Jeffy is a great driver - I just don't like him. He is beginning to tick me off with the "I am Jeff Gordon - get out of my way and let me pass you" attitude. Blocking is racing just like rubbin'. If Jeff thought he was so much faster - he should have passed him sooner instead of waiting til they caught the lapped cars. Didn't like it at all.
Posted by: JenInIL | Jul 10, 2006 9:54:30 AM
Hey DT,
You should not have to retract your Rusty years.
Rusty got out just in time.
Trent, better wishes.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 10, 2006 10:03:20 AM
Great drivers don't have to wreck people to win races, although some of them choose to do so.
Yes, it was intentional. Jeff's "I hate to win one that way" tells the whole story. He did it on purpose out of desperation born from sitting in 12th place in the points for a second year in a row. Jeffy is washed-up, folks.
Jeff Gordon is a lucky driver in a great race car with nearly unlimited money being poured into it. As I've said before, Hermie Sadler could have 4 championships with the same backing The Hobbit is getting.
Aside from his whiny attitude, I don't think Jeffy's the brightest crayon in the box, and that is probably the main thing I can't stand about him.
Posted by: RCSanders | Jul 10, 2006 10:32:45 AM
Let me begin by saying that I am not a Gordon fan, and I never have been. I am also not a Matt Kenseth fan. He has this "squeaky clean" image, but tends to be a dirty driver at times. But what happened yesterday is exactly what should have happened. Kenseth dumped Gordon at Bristol, so Kenseth deserved exactly what he got yesterday.
Don't be whining and crying on the radio that the 24 car should be penalized when you did exactly the same thing to him earlier in the year. Take your medicine and keep your mouth shut. If you "move somebody out of the way", don't expect them not to do the same thing to you at some point in time.
Posted by: Dave L. | Jul 10, 2006 11:11:07 AM
DT,
At least the guy had a good reason, right? I get mad when people are late but good Lord.
Posted by: Mike J | Jul 10, 2006 11:13:22 AM
Blocking on the race track goes on all the time and it's no excuse to wreck someone. What's Kenseth supposed to do pull over and let Gordon pass him. That was a multi-groove track and Gordon was catching him running the high line so he could have easily got around him by rim-riding up top. He just wanted to wreck him on purpose.
It's just the Jeff Gordon we all know and hate: I can wreck you and I'll win, make up excuses, and be happy. If you do the same to me I'll call you an idiot (like he did after he was wrecked at Daytona), stamp my feet, and cry like a little bitch.
I guess he's just keeping up with the Hendrick Motorsports attitude: I can do what ever the f&^k I want and no one can touch me and if they try I'll just blame it on someone else.
Posted by: Mike J | Jul 10, 2006 11:24:22 AM
DT,
One think to keep in mind about the Bristol pit road dance was that Jeff pulled onto pit road because one of his pitcrew members told him to. If he had gone to the garage like he was supposed to the shove most likely wouldn't have happened. I don't expect any one of you guys to react calmly right after an emotionally charged situation. Any driver that would is a better person than I and I'd question their dedication and desire.
Posted by: Charlie | Jul 10, 2006 11:42:44 AM
No matter how many dump and runs Gordon has, he will never be THE Intimidator, no matter how much the media wishes Gordon would replace Big E.
For five years now the media have desparately wanted someone who could be The Man, the Big Dog, the one guy NASCAR listened to, the one guy you either loved or hated. For five years Junior and Gordon have been made the faces of NASCAR. After that much time do you think they would finally "get it?"
Gordon will never be that voice. Junior has lacked the success he needed to be that voice. Johnson is too smug and arrogant to ever be the voice. Lackluster champs Busch and Kenseth were never that voice. And NASCAR muzzled Tony Stewart.
And if Jeff Gordon is walking and makes a quick turn, Benny Parsons is going to have a broken neck, he is so far "up there" it isn't even amusing anymore.
Posted by: BARman | Jul 10, 2006 11:46:53 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Matt got his retalitory hit from Jeff. But what you give is what you will take from a driver worth a damn. If Matt wants to do it again I'm pretty sure Jeff will oblige yet once again. It's the nature of the sport. And the fans will do what they do best.. complain, point fingers and continue their thinking as always with blind bias.
Posted by: Charlie | Jul 10, 2006 11:51:13 AM
I've always said....Nascar is really in for it if Jeff Gordon ever decided to be a rougher tougher driver. He's got the team and the skill....does he now have the will to knock some folks around? if so....Nascar won't let him get away with it as much as the "old" days of Allison or Petty or even Earnhardt days...Dale knocked a lot of folks right out of his way for a fair number of his 76 wins and would just grin about it. Here's something to hack off all you Earnhardt fans....stop throwing beer bottles at Gordon and start cheering him on to do more "Earnhardt" type pushing and shoving...maybe he and Stewart will finally tangle and Nascar will have to kick both of them out of the race cause Tony will explode and fight before he can calm down and think about it. Tony would pulverize Gordon in a pit road fist fight...unless Jeff kept his helmet on.....plus..right now...Tony must outweigh Jeff by what....100 pounds or more?
Posted by: dan | Jul 10, 2006 12:14:41 PM
I want to know why NASCAR does not hand down penalties for Jeff's "aggressive driving"? If it had been either of the Busch Boys, R Gordon, or any other driver (except Tony Stewart), they would have been penalized. It seems that NASCAR cannot or will not be consistent on this. If Jeff or Tony drives this way, everyone says it’s just racing. If most of the rest of the field drives that way, they are being overly aggressive. What gives?? Why does NASCAR so blatantly bend the rules for these two?
Posted by: Kristy | Jul 10, 2006 12:33:53 PM
correction to your blog: In Bristol Matt did not win! and it was after he was punted out of the lead by Kurt Busch and they were racing for about 4th.
Posted by: pomaric | Jul 10, 2006 12:36:17 PM
One thing no one is mentioning. Who, other than punkboy Gordon, benefitted the most from Kenseth being punted? Anyone...anyone...that's right Jimmy "punkboy jr". And once again, NASCAR turns a blind eye to something the Hendrick team gets away with.
Posted by: bradp22 | Jul 10, 2006 12:38:14 PM
Dan,
Jeff's always had a rougher tougher edge to him only it's masked a bit better and when he gets out of the car he hides behind a PC image. I don't think you get 75 wins by being mister nice guy. And really would the garage area take to a peaches and cream type driver or would they run all over him because they know they could.
Nascar has a strangle hold on these guys. Crews, drivers.. geesh even the girlfriends can't do anything without asking Mother May I? In this era of nascar you have to be real smart, calculated and patient.. but paybacks will always happen.
Posted by: Charlie | Jul 10, 2006 12:38:35 PM
bradp22,
Me thinks you are as blind as nascar lol.
Posted by: Charlie | Jul 10, 2006 12:43:46 PM
why is everyone expecting jeff gordon to be penalized for this? when was the last time nascar penalized someone for spinning someone out? if they aren't going to penalize kurt busch for his rough driving earlier in the year with biffle, kenseth and burton, there is absolutely no reason to penalize gordon.
jeff gordon has always driven very aggressively since he came into the sport, always. back in the late 90s when he was dominating you couldn't see it all that well because he was always in the front dominating. the few glimpses you got of it was with rusty wallace. anyone who doesnt drive aggressively isn't going to win 75 races in a career... its just so overblown because its jeff gordon and a hendrick driver. in my opinion, the bigger story was all the morons throwing crap on the track after the race, probably a lot of fans that are similar to the ones posting stuff on this board about j. gordon. its fans like you that hold nascar back and continue bringing the sport and its image down. like wally and benny said, fans like that should never come back to a nascar race again. what if one of those beer bottles coming from a drunk hits a little girl or boy in the back of the head and does severe damage to the kid for life?? absolute morons.
Posted by: Kris | Jul 10, 2006 1:01:36 PM
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