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March 14, 2007
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?
March 14, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Mark,
I'd agree if they had brought the tire they had tested on, but they totally changed the tires and pressures. Setups were off and especially for the Busch cars it was a recipe for disaster. Cup guys benefitted from Busch knowledge to a certain extent, but the cars drove like they were running through their own oil. Blowouts weren't the problem. Hell, you'd need a nail gun to puncture one. So, I'm with the drivers on the tires.
The track has potential with more seasoning and the COT may help even more. I think the tire issue just made the track seem bad. Maybe, NASCAR will stop the ridiculous 13gal fuel cell and we could get an idea if it is a great track for long greens.
So, my votes are:
Tires- They sucked. Shout it out!
Track- A good first outing. Shut the heck up!
NASCAR - MYOB and stop micro-managing!
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 10:10:56 AM
Good Topic Mark
Tony's and Jeff's coments remind me of the first race at Dega,
The "PDA" who felt that the Alabama track was unsafe and boycotted the race.
The race was still run, and no major problems were had.
Now Goodyear may have brought a harder tire than needed, but at least no real tire issues were reported.
The track, well the old design was to be
a set up for various types of "cars".
We have drivers, who are the best in the world, who should know their and their car's limits, as well as what the track can hold. So I agree, tell them "just shut up and race"
Posted by: Trucker | Mar 14, 2007 10:15:42 AM
Mark,
I agree with you, mostly about Gordon and Stewart whinning. They didn't call and ask Tony's opinion? He should get a real job at a company and see how much his opinion is asked about changes being made. These guys can go get a job for $25,000/year and not have to worry about tires or track changes. I'm willing to bet you could find someone to tske thier place in the race car.
Posted by: joe | Mar 14, 2007 10:41:04 AM
LOL, I think Mikey should shut up and drive. Oops, my bad, I guess you have to get into an event to do that.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 12:55:42 PM
I bet Keith would love to see Mikey in Tony's car.
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!
I didn't see any cautions for a black device in the track! And I didn't see any real problems with the tires.
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Mar 14, 2007 1:06:23 PM
Mark, it did seem that a few drivers were rather vocal, and I'm sure that is because of their bad experience during testing.
But it certainly was getting old hearing the same people complain about the same thing over, and over again.
Since the race turned out to be a fairly decent race without any tire problems, I thought everyone would "just shut up." But I heard Tony still complaining about the track on the replay of Tony Stewart Live this morning.
I hate to admit it, but I agree. I would love to be in their position to have the opportunity to drive a Nextel Cup car. "Just shut up and drive!"
Posted by: Shirley | Mar 14, 2007 1:40:43 PM
Larry Mac said it in his article on www.foxsports.com/nascar today -- the drivers are spoiled.
If it comes down to a choice of evils, its better to have drivers spin on too hard a tire and hit the wall rear-end first than to blow a tire and hit it head-on.
To all who complain that they didn't get to test with the tire used, ...
When, exactly, were they supposed to do that? Maybe the Monday and Tuesday between Daytona qualifying and the Duels?
Life isn't always perfect -- deal with it!
Posted by: M. B. Voelker | Mar 14, 2007 1:47:50 PM
Shirley,
There was no testing...these were totally unknown tires. The problem was grip/hardness not blowouts...I stand by all complaints about the tires. The track as I stated was fine.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 2:15:31 PM
MB,
They did test...they brought different tires.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 2:16:39 PM
Great article Mark. Racing is and always has been about going as fast as you can while staying in control of your car as much as possible. If you do those two things better than anyone else that day you'll win. You "lost it" coming out of turn two at Vegas you say? Go slower so you can maintain control. Don't whine about tires, tracks and whatnot! Gordon, Stewart and the rest of those cry babies should go to work for Goodyear and see how easy it is to come up with a solution. Goodyear can't win with these guys and I wouldn't blame them for leaving the sport.
Before Daly gets here I'll say it for him...oh never mind we all know what his repetitious post will be about.
Posted by: ron | Mar 14, 2007 2:44:11 PM
ron,
Goddammit, we need plates...and fat tires and naked women! LOL J/K. But, to throw a surprise tire combo at the drivers deserves some blame. Changing the tire after they tested on something else is either ludicrous or brilliant. Maybe, NASCAR should do it at every track. Secret tire packages to see how they adapt. Another NASCAR invention to keep racing TV friendly.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 4:13:49 PM
Great article. Yes, shut up and drive. how would this drivers have driven when you show up, qualify and run in one day as they did for years. (on a course with highways and beaches!) one driver complained he was close to wrecking every lap. Thats what there paid to do! if it was easy we could all drive.
Posted by: mackyjay | Mar 14, 2007 4:54:43 PM
Keith, You are right, that was a pretty dirty deal with the tire switch. Keeping in step with Nascar's inconsistency how about this idea; every team shows up at the track with their cars unpainted with no numbers. The drivers draw for the cars out of a hat. To make it even better (and to drive everyone even more nuts) just do it every once in a while. How much fun would that be? I say MORE secret tire packages and more secret rules changes! J/K! They could even throw Daly a bone and use his restrictor plates but only on the top ten in points. Mike is probably so excited I mentioned using his beloved plates that he is taking his sexual frustration out on one right now! ROFL!
Posted by: ron | Mar 14, 2007 5:02:51 PM
The sad thing is Mikey in Tony or Jeff's car still wouldn't qualify on time for the race , it would be a provisional every week followed by maybe a top 30 finish , hahahaha .
Posted by: Eric | Mar 14, 2007 5:11:30 PM
LOL, Mikey has no provisionals for his car...That's a Championship thing. Seems like the rest of the Toyota's are using up theirs as well. On the plus side he hasn't been on my TV set for a bit...That's a positive.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 5:17:46 PM
So what some of you are saying is that these drivers don't have the right to voice their honest opinions because of their status? They should "shut-up" because of the opportunities they are afforded? Amazing. So the next time you feel underpaid or under-appreciated, shut your mouth about it. There is always someone with less than you. Live by the sword, die by it. I'll say what I want WHEN I want. I don't care WHO your daddy was, you aren't American, you just live here, there's a difference. The problem here isn't what Stewart or Gordon said. The problem is the ignorance of those too simple to digest it.
Posted by: revlimit | Mar 14, 2007 5:25:17 PM
revlimit,
Revlimit is pegged in the right direction. I'll equate his post to these items, I guess we should all just shut up about cookie cutter tracks; NASCAR's never seen always changing rulebook; And my personal favorite...Moving dates from historic tracks. Yep, I guess we should just shut up about that. We'll just have to adapt. Rev makes a good point about free speech...you have it or you don't.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 6:22:41 PM
What ever happen to being a chassis Specialist?
It's Monkey see monkey do! If a radical set up causes tire to premauturly wear...THEN don't do it! God I'm glad I quit doin' it! People be dodging wrenches!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Mar 14, 2007 7:20:26 PM
#5,
Exactly, if NASCAR wants to be NASROC, with everything the same and vanilla, then just say so. I like the days when if you found a (safe) advantage it wasn't a penalty. The other teams had to catch up. It's called competition and it happened in the garage as well as on the track.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 14, 2007 7:37:23 PM
You obviously need to listen to the entire COMPLAINT and it is clear that you heard what you wanted to hear. For those with the ability to listen...They tested in January at a brand new surface....they went to track in March and the tire they used was NOT THE SAME! Wasted money on testing and for nothing because the testing was thrown out the window with the new tire. I guess any idiot can have a blog....do your homework~
Posted by: Stacy | Mar 14, 2007 9:37:15 PM
I'll have to disagree with this article . I think Tony and Jeff had every right to voice their opinions. It is their life that is on the line and if they feel that there is an issue then they better speak up. They have every right to voice their opinions espically since they are the ones who have to go out and drive on that track with those tires.
Posted by: Melissa | Mar 14, 2007 9:44:31 PM
Enough with the changing of rules at the last minute. Harder tires and smaller fuel cells are taking away from the racing. If you have a test and use a certain tire during the test, thats what you use to race with. It is then up to the teams to make the proper adjustments to make them work. May the best team win. NASCAR must think it is a USA government department. Always trying to protect us from ourselves.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 14, 2007 11:07:06 PM
If NASCAR made restrictor plates mandatory at every track, all tracks would have side-by-side racing start to finish.
(disclaimer: I'm not really Mike Daly. I just figure I'd say it before he does.)
;-)
Posted by: Mike Daly Imposter | Mar 14, 2007 11:33:59 PM
Switching the tire was an idiot move. A very unfair move, IMO, and a very unsafe move.
But, Mark you do have a very good point. Remember the American Grand Prix 2 years ago?
If you don't like it - don't run it.
It seems now that the sponsor's don't care who drives their name, anyway - long as it goes around a couple hundred times @ 160+, they seem to be happy. Put some other grateful truck or Busch soul in the seat. We may discover the next Tony or Jeff.
Ironically, all the most vocal whiners finished up front - go figure.
Posted by: the6and9 | Mar 15, 2007 12:47:17 AM
Its astonishing how many people believe that Goodyear should have used a tire that they knew would blow out -- because it had suffered enough in testing to prove that there was no way it would stand up to race conditions.
Once more I ask, exactly and precisely when should the teams have gone back to Vegas to test the hard tire?
Posted by: M. B. Voelker | Mar 15, 2007 8:03:59 AM
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