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February 21, 2007
Just Shut Up, And Quit Whining!!
By Mark Young
I figured this week's entry for Just Shut Up would be an easy one considering the race was at a plate track but everyone managed to mind their P's and Q's and the task was a bit more difficult. So with that in mind I have decided to focus on three separate incidents from Speedweeks and with those three events single out some people who just need to.....JUST SHUT UP!!!
U WANT SOME?
Michael Waltrip and his "issues" obviously caught a lot of attention and rightfully so. I thought for sure that I would be writing telling Michael to shut his trap over the whining that was sure to come over the mystery substance but he proved me wrong. If he truly didn't know what was going on then I feel bad for him......to an extent. An owner should know more about what is going on within an organization than that. If he did know and was just trying to save face then he should get an Academy Award for best actor. But the thing about this issue is that a portion of the media needs to Just Shut UP over the deal. It is all in NASCAR's hands to figure out what to do when they determine the substance, there are 36 more races to go and if you guys keep kicking a dead dog it won't come back alive, try to focus on some racing for a bit.
Kurt Busch had one of the two fastest hot-rods on the track Sunday. While Tony Stewart was slicing and dicing his way through the field after his speeding penalty Kurt was out front and just like Ricky Bobby was "Goin' Fast Momma". It looked like these two cars would fight it out down to the wire for the win but a bobble by Tony after going onto the apron caused Kurt to get into him and crash out both of them. Now I have heard a lot of people come up and ask me if I was going to tell Kurt to shut up this week and my answer was the same each time, why? If you think Kurt could have checked-up to get out of the way while going 180+ mph and inches from Tony's bumper you have got to be kidding. IF he would have jumped up the track we could have had a bigger mess than we wound up with. So to those who are out bashing Kurt Busch I tell you.......Just Shut Up!!!
NEWS FLASH!!! Kevin Harvick won the 49th Daytona 500!!! I just wanted to let you all know because it seems that every media source on the planet is busy talking about Mark Martin. Now I will admit that I was pulling real hard to see Mark Martin win his first Daytona 500 in what could be his last great opportunity but I am just as happy for Kevin that he won. Now I am also a little peeved at NASCAR for their apparent lack of consistency when throwing caution flags but I am getting used to inconsistency from them. What has me tired of is the fans, and members of the media, who are throwing out comments that this whole thing was just part of an ongoing plot to stick it to Mark Martin. JUST SHUT UP!!! I have heard stories about how NASCAR wanted to let Kevin win because it was the anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death, or how the time of the ending was about the same time Dale was announced dead by Mike Helton six years prior. Well my friends the time was a coincidence and even though it was six years to the day that Dale died we also need to remember that Daytona falls on the same weekend every year so Dale's death is always on people's mind. Mark Martin drove his ass off, Kevin just drove his a little harder.
That's what I got friends, I know it isn't anyone in particular but it still bugs me. Thanks for the e-mails and comments regarding who you think should just shut up, I really appreciate it. I have my eye on a couple of people in the media, one on TV and one on satellite radio, drop me a line and let me know if you can point them out.
That's what I think, what say you?
February 21, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
I agree. All this talk about conspiracy theory / MW Racing did this. The season has started. . . Shut up and Race!
Posted by: dinges | Feb 21, 2007 8:40:55 AM
I agree. All this talk about conspiracy theory / MW Racing did this. The season has started. . . Shut up and Race!
Posted by: dinges | Feb 21, 2007 8:41:07 AM
And remember, kids, Mark Martin isn't a has-been. He's a never-was.
Posted by: sonofmilkman2 | Feb 21, 2007 8:59:34 AM
NEVER WAS? What are you basing that on sonofmilkman? Holy Cow! Mark Martin's career is in no way tarnished by the lack of a certain trophy in his case. I only wish he would quit accepting defeat so gracefully and get PO'd once in a while. The man defines the word "champion" more than any piece of hardware.
Posted by: MM fan | Feb 21, 2007 9:46:58 AM
Mark, considering what you had to deal with, you did an excellent job determining who should "Just Shut Up."
I thought Michael handled his situation very well, and he does not need to "just shut up." But at least it took the media's attention away from Dale Jr. and Teresa.
I am by no means a Kurt Busch fan, but I agree that there was no way he could avoid hitting Tony Stewart. That was just one of those racin' deals. And if fans don't understand that, not only do they need to "just shut up," they need to find something else to watch.
I thought Kevin winning definitely had a story book ending, and I'm one of those that is guilty of remembering the date and exact time of just about everything that happened Feb. 18, 2001.
But that finish could have happened anywhere, and it still would have been just as good as Ricky Craven beating Kurt Busch to the line at Darlington.
It just happen to have Kevin Harvick involved in this one at Daytona, and he drove his #29 like Earnhardt drove his #3.
Hopefully Mark Martin will be back in 2008 and can get his 500 win on his 24th try.
As always Mark, well done. Now to figure out who you want to "just shut up" on Sirius and on television. There as so many to choose from!
Posted by: Shirley | Feb 21, 2007 9:49:05 AM
Let me state that the sirius personality IS NOT Mr. David Poole.......
Posted by: Mark | Feb 21, 2007 9:56:06 AM
Who needs to shut up? D.W. Is he a spokesman for Toyota and MWR or what? If it wasn’t for DW the camera would never be on the 55, 44, or 00 until they crash and they will time and time again. What was Toyota thinking? That is the last time those three cars all make the field. The 44 car will make the next 4 after that no more MWR. Toyota will be buying another team. DW, pull out some tapes of Ned Jarret and learn how to be a professional broadcaster! Not your phony hey good buddy crap. While I'm talking about broadcasters, Larry we all know you worked for RCR, do you not have any other experience to draw from? You also fail to mention that you only won one race with Dale, got canned to Skinners team where you never won a single "points" race. Now pull them belts tight one more time and you and DW boogity boogity right out of the broadcast booth to has been land!
Posted by: Dave | Feb 21, 2007 10:01:17 AM
Who needs to shut up? D.W. Is he a spokesman for Toyota and MWR or what? If it wasn’t for DW the camera would never be on the 55, 44, or 00 until they crash and they will time and time again. What was Toyota thinking? That is the last time those three cars all make the field. The 44 car will make the next 4 after that no more MWR. Toyota will be buying another team. DW, pull out some tapes of Ned Jarret and learn how to be a professional broadcaster! Not your phony hey good buddy crap. While I'm talking about broadcasters, Larry we all know you worked for RCR, do you not have any other experience to draw from? You also fail to mention that you only won one race with Dale, got canned to Skinners team where you never won a single "points" race. Now pull them belts tight one more time and you and DW boogity boogity right out of the broadcast booth to has been land!
Posted by: Dave | Feb 21, 2007 10:01:41 AM
Thank you for clarifying that Mark. I was pretty certain Mr. Poole was safe.
Posted by: Shirley | Feb 21, 2007 10:13:55 AM
I think the 500 finish DID demonstrate some of NASCAR's inconsistency; HOWEVER, if demonstrated a great attempt to do the RIGHT THING! In that very specific situation, that was the right call. The cars were a few hundred feet from the finish, don't throw the caution! Had they been in turn 1 or 2, or down the backstretch, then throw the caution. Rescue crews need that time to get to the drivers. Everybody has been so concerned with the safety issue of NOT throwing the caution. What about the safety issue of pit stops... under caution??? What the safety of pit stops... under green, at Daytona, where there is no wall seperating the race track from pit road?
So, to those touting "they should've thrown the flag" or "not throwing the flag was unsafe", I say Just Shut Up!
Posted by: Steve | Feb 21, 2007 10:14:31 AM
I couldn't agree more with the comments about D.W. Must be nice for Toyota to have their personal mouth piece in the booth each week. You're also right on with Larry Mac. These two guys have way overstayed their welcome. Get out of the booth and get some professionals in there!
Posted by: HC | Feb 21, 2007 10:47:31 AM
Mark, while part of the controversy in Daytona may involve an apparent favoritism for Kevin Harvick over Mark Martin, most fans probably aren't willing to go that far. However, the issues of consistency and safety must be addressed in NASCAR.
NASCAR needs leadership that WILL enforce rules properly and consistently, and more importantly, look after the drivers' safety. A multi-car wreck at the finish is undoubtedly exciting, but let's not get so caught up in it that we forget the basic safety measures related to the caution flag.
Good post Mark!
Will
Posted by: Will | Feb 21, 2007 10:11:57 PM
I would have said a big "Shut Up" to Kurt Busch. Why, you ask? Because of his apology for wrecking Tony Stewart. As you stated in your piece, Kurt had no more chance of avoiding that wreck that I did from my couch. It kind of burned my butt that he apologized in that situation when it was clearly just a case of the 20 car getting lose and having to check up. No blame to anyone, no apology necessary.
Posted by: Bonkrr | Feb 22, 2007 12:13:40 AM
Mark,
My nomination for today's (Thursday) new "whiner," Sunoco...oh, oh, his logos too big! His logos too big!
Posted by: Keith | Feb 22, 2007 11:25:38 AM
Steve, they had a wreck down the backstretrch on the final lap of the 2004 Firecracker 250 and didn't throw the yellow. The rule needs to be - race to the yellow, period.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Feb 22, 2007 3:53:15 PM
Bonkrr,
LOL, I think we picked on Kurt so much because of his previous "It was everyone's but my fault," attitude that he appologizes for damage control. But, you're right. I'm not telling a Stewart not hang it out in the turn. He's a racer. That's what they do. And, Busch can't redefine the physics of a car going almost 200mph. Don't care how big them brakes are. No-one deserved to take the blame here.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 22, 2007 6:04:34 PM
Another great "shut up" Mark. Keep'em coming.
Bonkrr - I agree. It was just a racin deal, and just unfortunate that it happened.
Keith - 100% in agreement with you about Sunoco. They are just being so petty, and childish. It's absolutely ridiculous.
Posted by: Ann | Feb 23, 2007 8:48:52 AM
Thanks for telling people who are Kurt bashing to SHUT UP!!! I too am tired of it. I am a Kurt Busch AND Tony Stewart fan so go figure. I also lost big on my fantasy line up...
Posted by: ljackson2 | Feb 23, 2007 9:44:45 PM
I will acknowledge first up that I have not read everything that has been written about the finish at Daytona, but nothing so far that I have seen has indicated that NASCAR was plotting something to recognize the anniversary of Dale Sr.'s crash or to cheat Mark Martin. In fact, I think if NASCAR was trying to give someone the call it would have gained more notice (publicity among the general sports public) by giving it to Martin. So nobody should SHUT UP when it comes to discussions about enforcing rules or not enforcing rules because this is an issue NASCAR needs to resolve. As for Steve wanting people to "shut up" about this and Mike wanting people to "race back to the yellow," that kind of thinking is going to get someone hurt some day. You might notice safety crews at Indy moving the instant a crash begins because the crew members know the drivers are going to be slowing down and looking out for them, not trying to make a pass to gain another position. It's still dangerous out there for the safety crews, yes. But think of what the situation is if there is a crash in the first turn, the yellow is NOT thrown or it is thrown and they race back to the line, and cars are coming full speed and coming up on safety crews, emergency vehicles, and wrecked racers at 180 mph. Doesn't happen often? Maybe not, but how many times does it have to happen and how unfortunate do the results have to be before people realize safety rules are put in there for a reason?
Posted by: Paul | Feb 24, 2007 11:29:43 AM
Paul, you are 100% wrong. At Indy the cars crash in front of safety crews far more often than they do at stock car events. As for racing to the yellow, not once in the sport's history was there ever a situation where safety crews were impeded from getting to a wreck scene because cars were racing to the yellow. The first-turn scenario you cite happened, at Daytona in July 2004, in the 250.
Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle try to maintain this argument and fail on credibility, because they claim they were entering a wreck scene and didn't slow down because their spotter didn't yell, "Caution, caution." Are we supposed to take them seriously when they make clear they're either lying or incredibly stupid?
It is a ridiculous argument - nowhere did racing to the yellow ever degrade safety; the safety argument is a sham and so is freezing the field. So stow it and go back to racing to the caution.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Feb 24, 2007 2:14:25 PM
The race should have been frozen and the track cleared.
Posted by: lisa Smith | Feb 25, 2007 11:47:53 PM
OK, Mike, fine. If you think the argument for freezing the field when a yellow is thrown has holes, then argue (like you do) for a change in the rule. But the point is the way the rule is now the yellow should have been called and the field frozen. Who knows who would have been ahead.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 26, 2007 11:08:02 AM
I noticed sonofamilkman didn't reply at all.
Saw the same remark on D. Poole's article about the proposed track in WA. He signed it anonymous. He's a jerk and a pussy.
Posted by: PaulB | Feb 26, 2007 2:59:22 PM
I have to agree with Keith on his opinion for this weeks "whiner" going to Sunoco, "the official race fuel of nascar". You dont hear Nextel giving Ryan Newman any flack for having the oversized Altell logos all over the place. Last time I checked Nextel and Altell were competitors, and isn't this the Nascar NEXTEL Cup Series? Sunoco has to realize that they arent the only "Official" sponsor of NASCAR, there are others that pay just as much or more for their logos to be on those cars and drivers, i.e. Budweiser "The Official Beer" of Nascar, you dont hear Miller Lite, anc Coors Light whining!
Posted by: Mike | Mar 2, 2007 1:02:49 PM
Can we ever get d.w. to Shut up.It has to be totally embarrassing for the guys that work with him.Like todays race when they talk about D.E.sr. and he starts tearing up and talking proverbs and the bible,...showboat and phoney as hell.
Now that Jarrett has been doing Buffy maybe Michael will take his brother and go back to Dogpatch...PLEASE!!!!!
Posted by: Wally | Feb 17, 2008 6:47:45 PM
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