Over The Wall

what making the competition better

  As i was sitting in the lunch room today wondering what to write about a buddy of mine gave me an idea that is worth talking about.  Two years ago there were only about 11 or maybe 12 teams that were good enough to get into the chase.  The last year there were maybe 13 or 14 teams there were running good enough to make the chase and for some reason or another didn't make it.  If you look at the points this year it s very close and there are plenty of teams that are capable of making the chase.  When ever you have the 2, 24 ,and 17 out of the chase you know the competition is getting better.  I guess my question is what is the cause of the close competition.  Is it the pressure on the drivers to compete, is it the chase format, could it be the COT car.  Everyone has there own opinion but here is mine.  Ever sense the chase format has been instituted the drivers and teams have a lot more at steak.  In the old days you had a handful of teams and drivers that just coasted and collected.  You cant do that any more. Perfect example is Jeremy Mayfield.  Three years ago he was a chase driver, now he cant find a ride.  I think the pressure of the chase has helped create a competitive atmosphere on the track.  Thats my opinion lets here yours.

A fans gift

   I don't have much to talk about sense i spent the week resting and playing golf.  I would like to say thank you to a fan of the 12 cars who left a gift for me at the shop.  Rashaun, who is an avid reader of the blog and a major 12 car supporter, left a nice babies gift for me and the wife and also left some candy for the guys.  Just to let you know, when gifts of any kind are left at the shop they are greatly appreciated by all the guys.  We ve all been eating the candy for days now and the wife wanted to say thank you also.  We would all be idiots to think we could do what we do without the fans.  So not only to Rashaun but all the fans out there, thank you for all your support.  OK, thats about all for now. Its off to Talladega and hopefully a good finish.

Phoenix

  Well, we blew a motor with a good car.  What else can i say.  Don't know much more than that.  Every time we think we are getting ready to build on the previous weeks run we end up hitting a wall.  My hair is almost all grey as it is, I'm pretty sure by the end of this year it will be full blown grey.  Oh well, im staying home for the off weekend and giong to do some golfing and spend some time with the wife.  Hope all you fans have a good weekend off and we ll talk next week about Talladega.

Some say the racing is boring?

  Well I have to say it was an awesome day for the Alltel bunch.  That was a sign of things to come and things of the past.  Ryan was on the wheel all day and at the end when it counted we gained 7 spots in 10 laps.  The pit crew struggled early and got the driver in a bad situation but managed to pick up three spots when it counted and help land us a top 5.  Now, onto the penalty.  I don't know exactly what went wrong with the car but i can tell you this, we don't cheat. lol.  How many times have you heard that.  Seriously, i don't think we cheat, but then again i don't work on the car and either way we were to high going thru tech.  Now, onto the racing part of it.  It was a boring race for sure.  I have noticed that there have been some really exciting races and then there have been some dogs.  This one was a dog.  I don't see how fans can justify paying for a ticket at a high price and then seeing a race like this.  Don't get me wrong, its the fans that keep me employed, but at least we can give them a better bang for the buck.  Bristol was good, Matinsville was good.  Cali, Atlanta and Texas were boring as hell.  I hope Nascar hasn't messed up the racing with the new car.  Of course, all i can see is the front stretch so maybe its not as bad as i thought.  Well, thats about all for now. holla