It is now official that Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota will be joining forces in 2008. What does it all mean? Your guess is as good as mine. I have received numberous comments, both positive and negative, about this merger and all I can say is, it is what it is. Toyota will definitely be the big gainer in this merger due to the fact they will get guaranteed starting spots next year in the Top 35. JGR is the one that will give Toyota that added boost they have been looking for in Nextel.
I know alot of you fans out there really really hate the idea of Toyota coming into the Cup series. We all have our roots in America and back the makes of Chevy, Ford, and Dodge but remember that all those cars are made outside of the US while Toyota is stationed here in the US, giving much needed jobs to people out there. NASCAR has always been tied in with the major US auto makers but lets face it, Toyota is here to stay.
You all can bash me or curse at me or do whatever, I am just stating my opinion. Heck, I even own a 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE but I will say this, I have not had ONE problem with this car except for the routine maintenance. I have owned 2 GM cars and I will not even go into how many times they were in the shop. Makers like Nissan, Toyota, and Lexus have it figured out, it is all about quality and not quantity. It is about pride and professionalism that goes into making their cars.
I really don't care what manufacturer is out there racing, all the cars look pretty much the same, it is just the sheer excitement of watching the race that I will always enjoy. Isn't that what it is all about, enjoying the sport but there will always be people out there that still have ill feelings about Toyota and threaten to stop watching the races. Reading back, I saw column after column about how high ticket prices are for the races but you know what, people still pay the prices, I know I have, I will be the first one to admit it.
Let's just enjoy the sport. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
I am sure I will hear a bunch of flack over this but if you are going to comment negative on it, please try not to use the harsh language, it really is not necessary.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Can you picture Tony Stewart in a Toyota?
This is the latest and greatest from Mike Harper over at the SpinOutZone:
It looks like our prediction of Joe Gibbs Racing moving from Chevrolet to Toyota is less than a week away from becoming a reality. Sources close to the situation are telling us that a news conference has been tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Huntersville, N.C., where the official announcement is set to take place. We understand officials with Toyota, JGR and drivers Tony Stewart (Home Depot No. 20) and Denny Hamlin (FedEx No. 11) are scheduled to be in attendance.
Toyota has struggled in NASCAR's top series this season. Adding Joe Gibbs Racing to the Toyota family will not only bring a championship team to the manufacturer, but they will also be locked into the top 35 in the standing giving them a free pass to race in the first five events next season.
Sources have said that Hamlin will extend his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2011 season and Tony Stewart, who has two NASCAR championships, has a contract that is set to expire after the 2009 season. But we understand Gibbs is trying to secure Stewart through 2011 too.
Kyle Busch, current driver of the No. 5 Kellogg's Chevy owned by Hendrick Motorsports will join Joe Gibbs Racing next season.
It looks like our prediction of Joe Gibbs Racing moving from Chevrolet to Toyota is less than a week away from becoming a reality. Sources close to the situation are telling us that a news conference has been tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Huntersville, N.C., where the official announcement is set to take place. We understand officials with Toyota, JGR and drivers Tony Stewart (Home Depot No. 20) and Denny Hamlin (FedEx No. 11) are scheduled to be in attendance.
Toyota has struggled in NASCAR's top series this season. Adding Joe Gibbs Racing to the Toyota family will not only bring a championship team to the manufacturer, but they will also be locked into the top 35 in the standing giving them a free pass to race in the first five events next season.
Sources have said that Hamlin will extend his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2011 season and Tony Stewart, who has two NASCAR championships, has a contract that is set to expire after the 2009 season. But we understand Gibbs is trying to secure Stewart through 2011 too.
Kyle Busch, current driver of the No. 5 Kellogg's Chevy owned by Hendrick Motorsports will join Joe Gibbs Racing next season.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Yates gives up #38 to Junior
Sources from SPEED TV are telling us that Robert Yates Racing has asked NASCAR to transfer their No. 38 car number, currently driven by David Gilliland (No. 38 M&M's Ford) to Hendrick Motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to use beginning next season.
After a public feud between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt over the No. 8 car number, Teresa has decided to retain the number at DEI. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has driven the No. 8 car since his first step into the Nextel Cup Series and must now use a new number.
The No. 38 makes sense because his father Dale Earnhardt who died in a 2001 crash at Daytona, drove the No. 3 and won six of his seven championships with that number. The No. 3 would honor his father and the No. 8 would be Dale Jr.'s current number.
As for David Gilliland, Robert Yates Racing still retains the No. 28 car number from years past and may switch to that number for next season.
I will say that Robert Yates is a class act for doing such a thing. Just a shame that Teresa can not get her head out of her butt to see things for how they are.
After a public feud between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt over the No. 8 car number, Teresa has decided to retain the number at DEI. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has driven the No. 8 car since his first step into the Nextel Cup Series and must now use a new number.
The No. 38 makes sense because his father Dale Earnhardt who died in a 2001 crash at Daytona, drove the No. 3 and won six of his seven championships with that number. The No. 3 would honor his father and the No. 8 would be Dale Jr.'s current number.
As for David Gilliland, Robert Yates Racing still retains the No. 28 car number from years past and may switch to that number for next season.
I will say that Robert Yates is a class act for doing such a thing. Just a shame that Teresa can not get her head out of her butt to see things for how they are.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Duece Is On The Loose...
Okay, now where in the heck did Kurt Busch and the #2 team come from? First Pocono and now Michigan. Both of these races were not just won, they were dominated. Everyone has been talking about how Dodge is not making a statement, well it seems that the #2 definitely has their game on and everything in one sock. It is just a shame that his teammate, the #12, can not seem to finish a race or something bad happen.
How about these observations from Michigan:
1. Attendance: I guess not as many people could take off those amount of days to get to see the race. Next time people, make sure you save up that vacation time just in case.
2. Visibility: Was it me, or did you find yourself getting up out of your car to go wipe off your TV set? I hate it when the races are run under this kind of foggy weather but hey at least they got the race in.
3. Moving Forward: Well it is about damn time to see Toyota finish in the Top 1o. Not only in the Top 10 but two Toyota's finishing in the Top 10. Dave Blaney finishing 6th and Vickers finishing 8th. I bet the big wigs at Toyota will be breaking out the good Saki tonight to celebrate.
4. Poor Jeff: He started out really strong but as of late, has not been finishing at the top of his game. Spinning out at Watkins Glen with 2 laps to go and now getting dumped by Kenseth. Now I am not defending either Kenseth or Gordon on that incident. You can decide.
5. No Snow Angels? Here I thought Kurt would do his signature Snow Angel vice pushing up to the wall and doing a burnout. Guess he thought the grass was too soggy after seeing Gordon get stuck.
6. Engines + DEI = Disaster. Do you think Junior and Truex were sweating bullets when they saw what happened to Menard? If DEI wants to stay in contention for the Chase, they better get this engine problem corrected PRONTO!!!
7. 5 Wide? Did you see near the end when they did that? OMG!!! Just when you thought it was safe to go 3 wide.
8. Honey Buns. Quiz question, how many do you think Fatback McSwain ate during the race?
Overall, not a bad race for a Tuesday. I was happy that I am working the swing shift this week so I was able to watch the race on ESPN2 but to be honest, I am not impressed with Rusty Wallace as a commentator. I would love to see them bring back Allen Bestwick to the booth rather then have him down in the pits.
Next up is Bristol and the new pavement. Should be quite interesting. Could this be another race that Kurt could dominate? Hey, anything can happen at Bristol.
How about these observations from Michigan:
1. Attendance: I guess not as many people could take off those amount of days to get to see the race. Next time people, make sure you save up that vacation time just in case.
2. Visibility: Was it me, or did you find yourself getting up out of your car to go wipe off your TV set? I hate it when the races are run under this kind of foggy weather but hey at least they got the race in.
3. Moving Forward: Well it is about damn time to see Toyota finish in the Top 1o. Not only in the Top 10 but two Toyota's finishing in the Top 10. Dave Blaney finishing 6th and Vickers finishing 8th. I bet the big wigs at Toyota will be breaking out the good Saki tonight to celebrate.
4. Poor Jeff: He started out really strong but as of late, has not been finishing at the top of his game. Spinning out at Watkins Glen with 2 laps to go and now getting dumped by Kenseth. Now I am not defending either Kenseth or Gordon on that incident. You can decide.
5. No Snow Angels? Here I thought Kurt would do his signature Snow Angel vice pushing up to the wall and doing a burnout. Guess he thought the grass was too soggy after seeing Gordon get stuck.
6. Engines + DEI = Disaster. Do you think Junior and Truex were sweating bullets when they saw what happened to Menard? If DEI wants to stay in contention for the Chase, they better get this engine problem corrected PRONTO!!!
7. 5 Wide? Did you see near the end when they did that? OMG!!! Just when you thought it was safe to go 3 wide.
8. Honey Buns. Quiz question, how many do you think Fatback McSwain ate during the race?
Overall, not a bad race for a Tuesday. I was happy that I am working the swing shift this week so I was able to watch the race on ESPN2 but to be honest, I am not impressed with Rusty Wallace as a commentator. I would love to see them bring back Allen Bestwick to the booth rather then have him down in the pits.
Next up is Bristol and the new pavement. Should be quite interesting. Could this be another race that Kurt could dominate? Hey, anything can happen at Bristol.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
No Way For the #8 and Shrub joins JGR
Sources have verified that Hendrick Motorsports will announce it has not been able to come to a deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to allow the No. 8 to come with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the Hendrick team next season.
"We've been working hard to secure the No. 8 for Dale Jr.'s car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense, and now we have to move forward with other options. "We appreciate the efforts of Max Siegel and his team (at Dale Earnhardt Inc.), and are excited about unveiling our plans for 2008 in the near future."
The FREE THE 8 crowd will not be happy. Looks like people will be scurrying around to find their new merchandise once the announcement is made for Jr. Talk about a mad rush and the revenue that will come in once his things go on the market.
It's official, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has signed 22-year-old Kyle Busch to drive for the No. 18 team in Nextel Cup beginning in 2008. “We’re extremely pleased to have Kyle Busch as a part of the family here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Kyle is extremely talented, as his track record has proven, and he had a lot of teams to choose from in determining who would give him the best chance to win. Obviously, we’re glad he chose JGR, and he’ll have all the tools and resources he needs to win races and contend for championships.”
"We've been working hard to secure the No. 8 for Dale Jr.'s car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense, and now we have to move forward with other options. "We appreciate the efforts of Max Siegel and his team (at Dale Earnhardt Inc.), and are excited about unveiling our plans for 2008 in the near future."
The FREE THE 8 crowd will not be happy. Looks like people will be scurrying around to find their new merchandise once the announcement is made for Jr. Talk about a mad rush and the revenue that will come in once his things go on the market.
It's official, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has signed 22-year-old Kyle Busch to drive for the No. 18 team in Nextel Cup beginning in 2008. “We’re extremely pleased to have Kyle Busch as a part of the family here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Kyle is extremely talented, as his track record has proven, and he had a lot of teams to choose from in determining who would give him the best chance to win. Obviously, we’re glad he chose JGR, and he’ll have all the tools and resources he needs to win races and contend for championships.”
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