This year, Childress tried the four-car thing again, this time adding Daddy's Money in the 27 car. Even though they weren't completely shut out like in '09, this year only one of the four RCR drivers made the Chase. It appears that four teams are stretching the RCR resources a bit too thin for all teams to be competitive, while three cars are just right. So it would seem that letting free agent-to be Bowyer leave the organization and going back to three cars would be the best bet for RCR success in 2012. Of course, if it were me, I'd put Clint in the 27 car while figuring out a way to keep the present sponsor's money...after I let his son go. Somehow, I don't think that'll work.
We Have A Winner!
Yes, the voting for September's Brown Starfish Award is now closed. And the winner by a landslide is...the driver of the Double Douche, err...Double Deuce, Kurt Busch. Yep, for his complete meltdown with certain members of the media after last week's race at Richmond, Kurt joins his little brother as winners of the BSA. Getting into it with the NASCAR.com writer is one thing, but having a "yes, you did-no, I didn't-yes, you did" spat with a female writer for the AP is another. You denied saying something, she produced proof you did say it, then you had to prove what a man you are by tearing up the press release she gave you and throwing it on her computer. Man, your mother must be very proud of the couple of whiny, emotionally-retarded punks she raised.
Gee, The Anticipation Is Killing Me
The ten finalists for the Sprint Cup Series Most Popular Driver were announced yesterday. I wonder who the winner will be (yep, you can throw a sarc tag on that question)? The winner will be announced at the award's dinner in December. I don't think I can sleep not knowing who it'll be. I figured it would be David Gilliland, but he didn't make the final ten (drat!). Actually, the ten finalists are: Kyle Busch (he'll get the votes of 8 year olds and those adults who only achieved the emotional level of an 8 year old), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (man, I wonder if HE could be the surprise winner?), Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson (getting the votes of all of the Barry Bonds fans), Kasey Kahne (voting base: cougars and prepubescent girls), Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart.
The Felon Is Happy
Rick Hendrick (yes, he's a convicted felon; Google it if you must) is happy that Jeffy, Junior, and Jimmie made this year's Chase, but he's probably happier that the 5 car didn't make it. That is because he has spent the better part of two years sabotaging the 5 team, taking away key engineers and saddling the team with the worst crew chief and equipment in the organization. I am of the opinion that he wanted to frustrate Mark Martin to the point that he relinquished the 5 car early, setting up a contract buy-out with Red Bull Racing to allow Kasey Kahne to get into the 5 before the end of the 2011 season. That hasn't happened (yet), but if the 5 car had made the Chase, it would have been impossible.
Where's He Going?
With Carl Edwards re-signed with RFR, the key free agent now is the aforementioned Clint Bowyer. On Wednesday, RPM withdrew its contract bid to Clint, but a new player has emerged: Michael Waltrip Racing. Money aside, it would definitely be a career risk for Bowyer to go there. Granted, he would immediately become the best driver at MWR (which, again, is akin to being the smartest kid on the short bus), but his chances of making the Chase in the immediate future would take a big hit. How about this: Joe Gibbs was willing to boot Burnt Toast out of the 20 car and put Cousin Carl behind the wheel, why not take a shot at Clint? It would definitely be a step up, and most likely the 20 would be in the Chase for the duration of Clint's contract. I think it's worth a shot.
The Sponsorship Blues
UPS has decided to drastically cut down its sponsorship role with RFR next year, going from a full-time sponsor to a 6-10 race sponsor with the 99 (perhaps) instead. This now leaves only six full-time sponsors in the sport, and three of them are home improvement stores: FedEx, Home Depot, Lowe's, Menard's, Bud Light, and NAPA Auto Parts. Past and future sponsors are not only worried about the economy, but they're also worried about the direction the sport has taken the last few years under the command of the chuckleheads-in-charge. Rats...sinking ship...you get the picture. And it's not a pretty picture, either.
A Win (Of Sorts) For The Little Guy
For quite a while, Tommy Baldwin Racing was a single-car, start-and-park organization. Last week at Richmond, TBR fielded a second team. Dave Blaney drove the new 35 car, while Stephen Leicht drove the 36. Because of the wreckfest the race eventually became, both cars not only finished the race, but both ended up in the top 25 (Blaney in 19th and Leicht in 24th). Both cars will attempt to run this week at Chicagoland as well, with Blaney back in the 36 car (guaranteed a starting spot) and Leicht in the 35 (which must qualify on time). It would be nice to see both cars in the race, and in the race TO RACE. Chicagoland shouldn't become the smash-and-crash race Richmond was, but still...
Time For The Annual Shrub Meltdown?
I've documented Shrub's dismal record of finishing Chase races in years that he's in the Chase (0 for 40, for those who forgot). Will he continue to be unable to win when there's actually something important on the line, or will he finally learn to control his emotions and run a complete and smart race? I don't know; I'm leaning towards him going 0 for 50. At least Kevin Harvick gets it. He disbanded his truck team and sold his Danica Series team so he can concentrate on what's important: winning a Sprint Cup title. I don't think Shrub gets it. I don't think he ever will.
My Last First Word (Or My First Last Word) On The Chase
Eliminate it. Get rid of it. Don't just burn that bridge, nuke it. Vaporize it. It has done much more harm than good since its inception. It has failed to capture new fans and has discouraged and driven away long-time fans. Attendance and TV rating have plummeted. There isn't a five-time champion, there's a five-time asterisk. The winner of a ten race "playoff" isn't a real champion, he's an asterisk. Go back to the full season championship. That would eliminate the sandbagging that is still plaguing the sport. Teams that win early, and figure to stay relatively high in the point’s standings, treat the middle third of the season as nothing more than a series of 500 mile practice sessions. It is hurting the sport. But, of course, it's probably not going anywhere, so complaining about it is just banging my head against the wall. And the wall always wins.
Gotta comment, question or want to say hey there...email Mike
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