Random Thoughts on a Rainy Friday

No Qualifying at Watkins Glen

OK, so the rain has stopped at Watkins Glen and the track is dry.  However, since there’s a race running there this evening, Grand Am I believe, there won’t be any cup qualifying for Sundays race.  The lineup will be by points, meaning Kyle the Younger will be on the pole come Sunday afternoon.  I read somewhere that this is the 4th time in 5 years qualifying for the Glen has been rained out.

Sorry Boris, you can go home now.

You gotta feel bad for Boris Said, he had a pretty good shot at making the race, then came the rain.  BUT WAIT, Mr. Petty on the line.  If Ford gives it’s OK, Boris will hop into the Petty Enterprises #45 in place of Kyle Petty.  You have to believe that Boris will get a lot more out of the 45 at Watkins Glen than Kyle could have.  Good move by Petty Enterprises.

NAPA reups with Mikey

Good news for Michael Waltrip as he announced today that NAPA has signed on to continue to sponsor the #55.  You gotta hand it to NAPA, they realize that even though Michael is probably the most UNsuccessfull driver in the sprint series, he is a great sponsor promoter.  He comes across as such a likable guy, never gets in any kind of trouble (anybody hear anything about the outcome of rolling his SUV last year), never says a bad word about anyone, especially NASCAR and GOODYEAR,  and is always willing to do what the sponsor wants.  So what if he runs near the back every week.  He still manages to get his sponsor plugs in and maintains a high profile.  That’s what sponsors are paying for.  As long as they get the air time, they don’t care if a driver wins or not.

Truex to Gibbs in 2010

Martin Truex Jr announced today that he has signed a one year extension with DEI.    I’m not so sure that this wasn’t just something the lawyers worked out.  Quite a while back DEI said that the contract with Martin included an option for 2009 and they were taking it.  Truex  said no way.  I’m guessing because the money for next year wasn’t what he thought he deserved.  Once the lawyers got everything worked out, meaning more money for Martin, he said OK.

Now, here’s the fun scenario.  Before Smoke announced that he was leaving Joe Gibbs Racing for Stewart-Haas Racing, the accepted plan was that Joey Lagano would drive 2009 in Busch Nationwide and then move to a 4th JGR team in 2010.  With Tony gone, the big questions are, will Joey drive the 20 next year and  about the 4th team in 2010?

Here’s my scenario.  Former JGR driver J.J. Yeley happens to be out of work, having been let by Hall of Fame Racing.  Gibbs puts Yeley in the #20 for 2009 and keeps Lagano in the Nationwide series in 2009 to get him the experience that he needs .  Then, in 2010, Martin Truex Jr. comes over to the #20 and Joey Lagano moves into the 4th Gibbs car.

It makes perfect sense don’t you think?  Let me know your thoughts.

With this announcement, I hereby declare the 2010 Silly Season open for business.

Have a great weekend, enjoy the race and let me know what you think of the Truex idea.

150 Point Fine Eliminates Truex From Chase

Martin Truex has been eliminated from the chase for the championship now that NASCAR has fined him 150 points for problems with his car at Daytona. In case you missed it, Truex had his primary car confiscated by NASCAR when it failed it’s first inspection after being unloaded. The confiscation will cost DEI somewhere between $125K and $150K to replace the car.

With only 8 races to go before the chase starts, Truex has dropped from 14th place in the standings, 88 points out of 12th, to 18th place, 238 points out of 12th. With the quality of equipment Truex has been getting lately, it would take a miracle for him to make the chase.

The last few months for Truex reminds me of Dale Jr’s last year with DEI. While everyone else seemed to have great cars, Jr had trouble every week. This year, the same thing is happening with Truex, who still hasn’t signed an extension with DEI. Don’t be surprised to see him moving on to greener pastures.

On an unrelated note, Teresa Earnhardt has hired Bear, Stearns to find an investor to purchase part of, or all of DEI. Mark Martin is leaving, Martin Truex is leaving, anybody interested in buying a museum?