Just Shut Up And Drive!!

By Mark Young

Today is going to be a short and sweet one my friends because everyone has been talking about it and quite frankly I am tired of it and just want to go to Atlanta.  I am sick and tired of everyone whining and complaining about Las Vegas and the next track configuration.  From Tony Stewart whimpering about people not calling him and asking his opinion to Jeff Gordon crying about the tires that Goodyear brought to the track to everyone else that just hates change I tell you all to JUST SHUT UP AND DRIVE!!!

U WANT SOME?

I understand that it is human nature to dislike change.  In some ways I am no different, but if it weren't for people who were tired of the situation they were in and did something about it we wouldn't be talking about racing today but possibly about how deprived we are by the changes made by a fascist government.  Bruton Smith didn't like the old version of the track in Vegas so in an effort to improve racing he changed.....all of it, right down to the buildings in the infield.  The track was fast in testing and because of all the grip there were some tire issues.  Keeping safety in mind Goodyear went to a tire so hard that you had to wonder if Fred Flinstone once used them.  Then the proverbial stuff hit the fan.

The drivers didn't like the feel of the tire.  They spun out without notice.  Speeds were down considerably since the first test.  Then the whining and complaining started.  I'm sorry guys, but if you don't like the situation then don't race!!  Open-wheel had that happen at Texas Motor speedway a few years ago when they tried to race there and drivers wound up getting vertigo from the high speeds.  The drivers boycotted and the race was canceled.  If Tony Stewart hated the track so much that he had to rant about it all weekend then maybe he should have let A.J. Almendinger or Michael Waltrip drive his car.

Now I haven't watched the race in it's entirety yest but from what I recall there wasn't any major tire issues on Sunday.  Nobody blew right front tires and smashed the wall.  Not one driver complained of blistering.  In essence Goodyear did their job.  They provided a safe tire for the situation.  As for the track itself although a bit bumpy into turn one and the transition to the banking being a little harsh the action was fantastic for a first year run.  With more time this track should offer racing action similar to Atlanta.  You guys remember Atlanta don't you?  Remember 1997 and the first time you ran there?  You complained that it was too fast and the tires blew because Goodyear brought a soft tire.  Now you all love driving there because of the multiple grooves when there was only one for the first couple of races.  Vegas will have multiple grooves but it will take time.

Just shut up and drive or go home.

That's what I think, what say you?