Cut to the Chase: California Heat

There you go again, making excuses for Jr, as if the penalty really hurt his chances to make the chase. Every driver could give you a 100 reasons why they didn't make the chase, but the bottom line is performance. Jr didn't perform well, he didn't make the chase, end of story. Personally, I think it will boil down to Johnson, or Kurt Busch for the championship. They seem to be peaking at the right time. Edwards could be the sleeper in the bunch, if he and his crew step it up a notch. Anyway, if you like, you can go ahead and start thinking up excuses for Jr's performance next year. That will give you something to do in the off season, and keep you in tight with the "nation". Works for me....

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Yes, it really is too bad that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson got the SAME penalty for their crew chiefs messing with the COT or they would be..............oh wait. They are good enough that they ARE in the Chase anyways. While I personally believe the current Chase format sucks, at least the teams in it EARNED it. And whoever the last four are to make the Chase will also have EARNED it. But if the Chase ends as it is now, how does the guy in 6th place suddenly deserve to be in first?

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You know Don IT DOESN'T HAVE A DAMN THING TO DO WITH PERFORMANCE. You insult Jr. and his fans by incinuating that. He's had BAD ENGINES THAT BLOW UP and that's out of HIS control and has everything to do with the HORSEPOWER and ENGINE Dept. @ DEI. He's had 4 DNF's due to engine failure. He was running in the FRONT the whole duration of the race BEFORE those 4 Engine failure's. Where would he be NOW in the POINT STANDINGS had he HAD BETTER EQUIPMENT and been able to finish those races? Probably in 8th,9th or 10th...position's.
Given the engine problems DEI has had...It's a DAMN MIRACLE Jr. is 13th in POINTS STILL. Which POINTS to HIS SKILL as a race car driver CAPABLE of squeezing out a Good finish when you have a "LEMON" of an ENGINE. I take it by your posts and comments that you don't take the time to look at actual stats of Drivers before you comment and maybe it would be in your best interest to do that before you post something that lacks merit.
In the meantime, I'd like to give Props to the Brew Crew & Dale Jr. for winning 3 awards last night!

Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award: 302.234 Seconds total amount of time spent in pits

Mobil 1 'Command Performance Driver of the Race' Award: Dale Jr.


DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Race Award: Tony Eury Jr

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(* Here's some stats for you Don!*)

Dale Jr. has insisted all along that the Bud team is better than a 13th-place team, and the data backs him up. Here is a listing of where Dale Jr. ranks overall in the season-long NASCAR Loop Data after 25 races. Most of these seem like meaningless minutiae, but it's some sort of proof that the red No. 8 really has been at or near the front for much of the year.

Dale Jr. rankings among all drivers after 25 races:

Overall Driver Rating: 7th
Avg. Running Position: 5th
Fastest Early in a Run: 2nd
Fastest Late in a Run: 4th
Fastest on Straightways: 1st
Fastest in the Turns: 6th
Fastest Laps Run: 4th
Fastest on Restarts: 2nd
Green Flag Speed: 2nd
Laps in Top-15: 3rd
Laps Led: 7th
Mileage Led: 8th
% of Laps on Lead Lap: 6th
Speed in Traffic: 8th

So, how does a driver and team with such consistent and impressive stats end up 13th in points? Glaringly, the only category where Dale Jr. is not even ranked in top-30 is the answer. Due to the multiple late-race engine failures or other mechanical gremlins, he is not even among the top-30 for the category called "CLOSERS" - which measures the improvement in position in the final 10 percent of the races. He trails drivers such as Bill Elliott, PJ Jones, Mike Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Patrick Carpentier, Kenny Wallace and Scott Wimmer. Nothing against any of those guys, but it shows exactly why the team is on the outside looking in when it comes to this year's Chase.

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Yes, Cynthia, any one that watches the races should be able to see that Jr is at or near the front of the pack in every race until it actually counts, the end of the race. It is then that he seems to drop off. And unfortunately for Dale and his whole team the one stat you left out was the ONLY stat that counts:

Current standing in the points: 13

All those stats you gave sound impressive until you see the one you left out.
Richard Childress builds the engines Jr and several other drivers run. I could be wrong but I do not think any of them have had more than one engine failure. Is it possible that Jr is dogging his equipment a little too hard too early to last a whole race? Rather than the media constantly sticking a camera in the mans face and asking him about the points and the chase, I would like to hear some in depth reporting on why he has the engine failures he actually does have. I fail to believe that a team with the best sponsor in sports and the fastest pit crew year after year, cannot find someone to build a decent engine. When you eliminate all the wrong answers, the only answer left is the correct answer. Jr is blowing up his engines before the REAL race begins, the last 20 laps. When Jr learns the man in front at the end of the race and not at the halfway point is the winner he will win more races.

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Mike - Did you pay attention to the race weekend at Michigan? Junior isn't the only driver getting bit by the engines at DEI/RCR. (I actually don't even think they are all driving the combo engine yet because of the many problems. Anyways...) At Michigan, Truex changed an engine before the race. Menard blew an engine during the race. Menard had engine problems during the Busch race as well (altho, it never actually blew). Mark Martin also had an engine issue during the race. I think Junior was about the only one from DEI to not have engine issues in that particular weekend. This shows that Junior isn't causing the problems himself as it sounds like you are trying to say. The engine problem runs very deep at DEI, which DEI obviously saw and is probably why they are partnering with RCR. Unfortunately, the new engines don't seem to be doing any better. (Mark & Menard have been running the new one and still have problems.)

I say all that and still say that it would be hard to know exactly what position Junior would be in in points without the engine failures and/or the 100 pt penalty. If those were removed, though, you'd have to think he'd be better than 13th given all the other data we have. I know some won't ever believe that or anything else good about Junior. Heaven forbid they aren't able to say "Junior is over-rated". No matter what Junior does (wins a championship, wins 2), he won't be good enough for some to accept him. Their loss, I guess.

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Don, I have read your comments now for weeks. It seems as tho you use every post to diss drivers that are not even mentioned in the posting. You have even made political statements in several of your comments. Jr was mentioned in this post so you go after the 'Nation' once again. I don't know who your 'driver' is or if you even watch Nascar. I think your agenda is trashing Nascar and your measly political put downs. I know one thing....you do not know Nascar's chase. The standings are going to favor Johnson, Gordon and Stewart. They will have the lead in the chase and the momentum. Therefore, they have to be considered the favorites. The Chevrolets (not Ford, not Dodge) are this seasons teams. Please get over the jealousy of the Nation. Please don't discuss politics in the future. I am not in the Nation but your jealousy of it is becoming ridiculous. I do not want political statements mentioned in postings eithers.

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Thank you Tara. Wonderful point. I couldn't have said it better. Given the 4 Engine Failure's Junior would be higher than 13th. I truly beleive it. And I believe RCR has had engine issues since the engine dept. merged with DEI. Wasn't it Jeff Burton a few weeks ago?
However, regardless of whether JUNIOR or Truex make it in the chase, it's unfortunate neither driver will have the Horsepower or Engine's capable of winning the championship. That's just a fact...

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The standings are what they are and it is what it is. RCR has also had some engine problems. I am not in the Nation but I like Junior. He's his own man, he's humble, he's very conscientious on the track and tries to get his spotter to talk to a driver if Jr thinks he may have done something by accident to another driver. My driver offers no apologies and doesn't apologize etc. I think Jr is polite, courteous and wants to be an equal in the garage. If you consider all that is thrown at him and available to him then it is a miracle that he is as humble as he is. I don't know many people that could say that.

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Hmmm....feel the love. Steffi, there is a product for your condition, it's called a laxative. Wonderful medicine for relieving pent up anger and stress. Cynthia, darling, facts and figures are great in their place, but have little to do with the actual results. Mike you hit the nail on the head. In my opinion, Jr was abusing his equipment for whatever reason he chose. Once he realized that he stuck out like a sore thumb, he backed off. For the record, I like Jr, I like Nascar, and I don't dislike anyone involved in racing, including the "nation". However, as an individual, I do have an open mind and the right to state my take on any driver or situation, whether you agree or not. I always post my name at the bottom, so if you don't like what I write...simply look at the bottom before reading. If you don't want to read what I write...then don't read it. Picture your mind as a remote control, and just click off what you don't like. Simple huh. Works for me.....

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I said, "I could be wrong but I do not think any of them have had more than one engine failure." If I am wrong then I am wrong. But pointing that other drivers had one engine failure does not equate to one driver having four. Since there appear to be some accountants in the blog, perhaps someone will post a list of all the drivers that have had engine failures and who built their engines. Do not forget to list all engine builders including the ones that have no failures as well as total number of engines built. Perhaps that graph will help sway me.
Certainly had Jr finished all four of those races where he blew up his engine he would be higher in the points. However, when even the announcers were saying at the California race, "the way Jr is driving we wonder if his engine is going to last the whole race" I wonder what the real cause of those engine failures is.
And since there are obviously people that are WAY into to it more than I, can someone tell me this, please. Is the same person building the engines this year the same person that built them in 2004 when Jr had the best year of his career winning 6 races? If not, he needs to find that guy and hire him back.
Like many other people I feel Jr is head and shoulders above many of the other drivers in the way he carries himself on and off the track. However, the fans and the media keep pushing him to actually be a winner. Don't be surprised one day when Jr breaks down, just like his engines, from being pushed too hard.

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Steffi and Cynthia well said..Emerson enjoys trashing Jr and his fans..I think the only thing that gets him through the day is reading his long winded sometimes cofusing rants..Not sure who his driver is or if he is a fan but it sure is annoying to see every post he writes no matter what subject is a dig at Jr..Ridiculous.

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Mike,
I enjoy your analogy's however, let's be honest here. WHAT driver doesn't get into thier car every sunday and drive it as hard as they can to FINISH WELL? And why should any driver have to worry about driving the car too hard? We KNOW as fans the BIG issues of the Engine Department @ TEI. What is Jr. supposed to do? Get in the car and drive it safely in hopes that he takes care of the engine so it doesn't blow? The Driver's JOB is to race out on the TRACK WIDE OPEN!

Gimmee a break.....

IF Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson had to "be careful" with thier car for fear of ENGINE failure, Poppa Rick wouldn't have it. The driver should be able to get in a race car and DRIVE and not have to worry if they keep the throttle down. So your point that Jr. doesn't take care of his engine or equipement is the biggest cop out I've heard from a race fan. For you to incinuate that Jr. drove the car too hard is rediculous. That's the freaking point...
In 2004 ...Junior had his BEST year. However, at the end of 2004 that's when DEI's 7 point shaker Rig broke down and TEI didn't replace that valuable equipement. If you go through stats...you'll notice that was when DEI began to decline in horsepower, engine issue's and the ability to win races. The decline in Horsepower, the increase in Engine issues aren't anyone's fault except for the ones in charge at TEI. I get so sick of hearing the conspiracy theories as to why Jr. isn't running well....but your comment about it being Jr.'s fault his engine's are blowing because he's driving the car too hard lack's common sense.

JMO

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Well Cynthia I think we can at least agree on one thing. You asked "What is Jr. supposed to do?" He is doing the only thing he can at this point. Going to another team in the hopes that will change his results. If he wins more than two races next year I guess he made the right move and it will be the justification his fans want. If he does not win more than one or two races, his average for the past 8 full seasons, it will be a different matter. And since the fan base has made the engine the reason for his decline this year, It will be interesting to see if he blows any next year. I guess that observation is just as bad as the "wait until next year" cry that goes out every year on behalf of many fans in many sports.
IMHO
So for now, good luck to the 12 that do make the pathetic excuse for a playoff we call THE CHASE.

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Mike... Cynthia's and other posts on here makes a hell of a lot more sense than your's or Hohumerson's. It appears that you are nit-picking anything you can to find fault with Jr. as a driver and I'm having a hard time figuring out why. Your post's most times show intellegence and candor and at other times are cantankerous. You have every right to express your views but I wonder if this is really how you feel about him or is there another underlying reason. Jr is a top ten driver in this league and if that escapes you one has to question your Nascar knowledge. There are 30 plus drivers in the Cup that would be very happy to have Jr's stats. Lets give credit where credit is due. By the way as I recall Truax has had two engine failures (one during and one before a race that had to be changed) and the DEI/Childress engine program is yet to be completed. The comments about Jr abusing and overdriving his engines is just ridiculous. The comment made by Rusty during the race was made because he is aware of the engine problems at DEI. What the hell did you expect Jr to do set back in the middle of the pack and get caught up in a wreck. Jr drove his heart out Sunday night and that tells me he has not given up on anything and intends to give it his best until the last lap. You made a comment a few days ago about drivers should be rewarded who "bust their asses every week." I assumed you mean to get all they can out of their rides. I guess you mean riding around in the back for most of the race and then racing like hell for the last 20 laps when the "REAL" race begins. Is that what you call "busting their asses?" Looks like Jr is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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Mike I pretty much mimic the words of Cynthia on this one. It appears you have nit-picking attitude about Jr as a driver and I really don't quite understand that. Is this really how you feel about him or is there an underlying reason? Most of your posts are pretty good and make sense for most part but insinuating Jr abuses his equipment is laughable. Drivers that run up front are taking all their engines will give them. Do you actually think drivers who lead the most laps or run in the top 10 all day are babying their equipment? Who's kidding who here? It appears like you are fishing for anything that would appear as evidence to put the guy down. By the way if memory serves me Truax had two Engine failures. One during a race and one that had to be changed before the race. The comment made by Rusty that you refer to was because he is aware of the engine problems at DEI. BTW the engine merger between DEI and Childress is not yet complete. I won't say anymore about engines because Cynthia pretty much covered that. You made a statment a few days ago that drivers who "bust their asses" should be rewarded in the Chase. I thought you were talking about drivers who drive their hardest all the time and here you were talking about drivers who only drive their hardest when there is twenty laps to go "when the REAL race begins". I would say that statement is conflicting wouldn't you and makes me wonder how long you have been "into" Nascar racing. Jr is a top ten driver in the cup and if you fail to comprehend that, one would have to question your racing savvy. Jr drove his heart out Sunday and that tells me he isn't ready to give up until the last lap and that shows a lot of character in my opinion. So I guess what it boils down to if Jr drives hard he's abusing his equipment and if he doesn't drive hard he's an also ran. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. You're going to have to come up with something better than what you have to convince me. Are you fishing Mike? BTW there are 30 plus drivers in the cup that would love having Jr's stats. I'm only saying that because you and Hohumerson have used his stats as evidence of his short comings.

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Mike I have to go with Cynthia on this one. It appears you have a nit-picking attitude about Jr as a driver. Insinuating Jr abuses his equipment is laughable. Any driver who backed off to save his engine for the last twenty laps wouldn't be much of a driver. Drivers that run up front are taking all their engines will give them. Do you actually think drivers who lead the most laps or run in the top 10 all day are babying their equipment? Who's kidding who here? It appears that you are fishing for anything that would appear as evidence to put the guy down. By the way if memory serves me Truax had two Engine failures. One during a race and one that had to be changed before the race. I think there has been 8 engine loses at DEI this year spread over four drivers. Sounds like a problem to me. The comment made by Rusty that you refer to was said because he is aware of the engine problems at DEI. BTW the engine merger between DEI and Childress is not yet complete. You made a statment a few days ago that drivers who "bust their asses" should be rewarded in the Chase. I thought you were talking about drivers who drive their hardest all the time and here you were talking about drivers who only drive their hardest when there is twenty laps to go "when the REAL race begins". I would say that statement is conflicting wouldn't you and makes me wonder what the hell you're thinking. Jr is a top ten driver in the cup and if you fail to comprehend that, one would have to question your racing savvy. Jr drove his heart out Sunday and that tells me he isn't ready to give up until the last damn lap and that shows a lot of character in my opinion. So I guess what it boils down to if Jr drives hard he's abusing his equipment and if he doesn't drive hard he's an also ran. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. You're going to have to come up with something better than what you have to convince me. There are probably 30 plus drivers in the cup that would love having Jr's stats. I'm only saying that because you and Hohumerson have used his stats as evidence of his short comings.

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Sorry Ron. I do not get to go fishing until Late October, Nags Head. Perhaps if I had Rusty Wallaces email address I could ask him personally what he meant. And while some may call this bashing, it is patently obvious that in two of the last three years Jr has not been in the top ten as far as CUP drivers goes. I do not know where to find the list of active drivers and their wins on one easy to see chart, so I cannot say he is not in the top ten of active drivers. I know he is nowhere near the top ten all time. Perhaps you could guide me to the information that numerically places Jr in the top ten drivers for Nextel Cup.

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Mike,
Ritchie Gilmore the CHIEF Engine builder @ DEI in 2004 was promoted by Teresa in more of a leadership roll. That's when the decline in Engine's ,Horsepower and most importantly when the 7 point shaker broke and WAS NOT replaced.

As far as the stats...You portray yourself as a "know it all" person. So go fetch ya some stats on Dale Jr. I'm not gonna take anytime to copy and paste them for you here because it wouldn't matter to you anyway.

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Mike..I didn't mean all time. There is only one or maybe two active drivers that I would put in that category. Just scroll up to the stats Cynthia gave and read them. I would say those are the stats of a top ten active driver. You ask others to put up facts but the only facts I see from you are Jr grenaded four engines and he didn't win any races. Thats a pretty easy call. Call it bad luck, call it a coincidence, call it agressive driving, call it whatever you want. Thats why engine builders in Nascar get big bucks to prevent that from happening as much as possible because these engines are run on the edge and at just about every race someone will lose one. If you watched the race Sunday I believe Rusty commented in the same sentence about DEI engine problems that you mentioned. I guess we will agree to disagree. Go Denny

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