2015 NASCAR Thread

[93henfan]

Starting a race at 11:42pm.

Brilliant!

Fuck you NBC and NASCAR. This race was run on the 4th or Saturday from its inception (1959) through 2013. Now you move it to Sunday and lose your margin to reschedule within the holiday weekend. Idiots. Fucking god damn idiots. Stop running the fucking sport like fucking idiots.

[clenz]

Also seems like a safety issue with a drivers natural circadian rhythm. Even if they napped there's no fucking way driving 200 mph after midnight is a good idea

[93henfan]

Also seems like a safety issue with a drivers natural circadian rhythm. Even if they napped there's no fucking way driving 200 mph after midnight is a good idea

And there was already a multicar crash on lap 4 and later Kyle Busch lost his car all by himself and smacked the wall. There could be something to your statement.

I'm going to bed.

[clenz]

I don't think there's a single fan at the race

[93henfan]

I don't think there's a single fan at the race

Be mindful that much of the track is a construction site right now. 50,000 seats on the backstretch are being removed, so those are empty. They are also adding seats on the frontstretch, so those are empty too.

Daytona is in the process of reverting back to a frontstretch only track for seating.

I have sat on both stretches at Daytona, and the backstretch sucked badly

[BDKJMU]

Starting a race at 11:42pm.

Brilliant!

**** you NBC and NASCAR. This race was run on the 4th or Saturday from its inception (1959) through 2013. Now you move it to Sunday and lose your margin to reschedule within the holiday weekend. Idiots. **** god damn idiots. Stop running the **** sport like **** idiots.

The f'ing idiot Brian France is running the sport into the ground. No coincidence that the drop in TV ratings and nosedive in attendance began shortly after he took over the helm in 2003...

[93henfan]

Well, I missed a Jr victory and an Austin Dillon upside down trip to the catch fence.

Damn it.

[clenz]

Here's a fan video of that Dillion wreck from directly in front of where it happened..

Dear God....this *should* have killed someone

https://instagram.com/p/4yQbB5zLHe/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow.

15-20 years ago there's 2 or 3 drivers dead, probably 200 fans in the stands (if not significantly more).

[clenz]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/na ... /29756453/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan Newman was furious.

"NASCAR got what they wanted. That's the end of it," he told USA TODAY Sports. "Cars getting airborne, unsafe drivers, same old stuff. They just don't listen."

When asked if he believed another crash like this would help spur more changes and safety improvements, especially at restrictor-plate tracks where speeds reach more than 200 mph and the chances of cars lifting is increased, Newman replied:

"No. They had an event in 2001 (when seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed). They've had several events since then. They just don't pay attention to safety. Simple as that."

[93henfan]

15-20 years ago there's 2 or 3 drivers dead, probably 200 fans in the stands (if not significantly more).

While I agree with some of what was said in your previous two posts, this part is hyperbole.

NASCAR vehicles have gone into the catch fence dozens of times without a failure of the fence to keep the mass of the car out of the stands. Have fans been injured by debris and tires? Yes. But a car hasn't gone into the stands. The Daytona fence last night and those before it functioned as intended.

And NASCAR did learn its lesson from the DE Sr tragedy. HANS were mandated and SAFER barriers have been rolled out on tracks, though not as fast or as comprehensively placed as some, including me, would have liked.

You can pick apart the management, as I have, but the safety record of NASCAR has been pretty impressive over the years. DE Sr had a separated belt, likely caused by modification. He got away with a lot because of his swagger. He wore an open faced helmet, sat lower and farther away from the wheel than any other driver, and had his Simpson restraints set up upside down so he could pull up to tighten. It was a fatality waiting to happen if a belt failed, and it did.

[93henfan]

Now, back to catch fences, one thing I think NASCAR could start doing at Daytona and Talladega is to remove the first five rows of seats (or whatever is deemed the high density debris impact zone) and install a net just in front of the stands, sort of like the NHL. This would likely help with the handful of debris injuries that result from catch fence impacts.

[clenz]

15-20 years ago there's 2 or 3 drivers dead, probably 200 fans in the stands (if not significantly more).

While I agree with some of what was said in your previous two posts, this part is hyperbole.

NASCAR vehicles have gone into the catch fence dozens of times without a failure of the fence to keep the mass of the car out of the stands. Have fans been injured by debris and tires? Yes. But a car hasn't gone into the stands. The Daytona fence last night and those before it functioned as intended.

And NASCAR did learn its lesson from the DE Sr tragedy. HANS were mandated and SAFER barriers have been rolled out on tracks, though not as fast or as comprehensively placed as some, including me, would have liked.

You can pick apart the management, as I have, but the safety record of NASCAR has been pretty impressive over the years. DE Sr had a separated belt, likely caused by modification. He got away with a lot because of his swagger. He wore an open faced helmet, sat lower and farther away from the wheel than any other driver, and had his Simpson restraints set up upside down so he could pull up to tighten. It was a fatality waiting to happen if a belt failed, and it did.

20 years ago - 1994. That type of accident. I'm not a huge NASCAR follower but something tells me a car going air-born across 3 rows of traffic at 190 MPH into a fence results in MUCH more damage to the fans and driver.

I'll default to you and BDK, but I have a hard time believing it wouldn't have been much more damage across the board on that one - even if the car didn't tear straight through that fence.

[93henfan]

Cars have been going into the catch fence since NASCAR installed catch fences. There was a time when the catch fence only covered the stands and cars would sometimes go over the wall in turns and out into the parking lot.

Hell, I watched a dirt track car at the Delaware State Fair (not NASCAR of course) go off the turn and smash through a fiberglass wall, out into the parking lot, the driver kept his momentum outside the wall and crashed back through the wall farther around the turn, back onto the track and won the race. Probably the funniest thing I've personally seen in racing anywhere.

[CAA Flagship]

Well, I missed a Jr victory and an Austin Dillon upside down trip to the catch fence.

Damn it.

That's what SportsCenter and the internet are for.

[BDKJMU]

Midget racing. No, I'm not talking bout USAC Midget cars. I'm talking about this midget who won his 1st race Saturday at NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/rico-ab ... eries-race" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

RIP Buddy Baker
http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/video/b ... 1685827633" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

Completed 23 of the 26 races of the regular season until the 10 race Chase.

Top 32 full time drivers. 29 run all 23 races, + Larson has run 22, Kirt Busch 20, & Kyle Busch 12.
Top 16 make Chase, 1st criteria wins, 2nd critertia points. So Top 11 are locked in. Unless someone outside the top 11 wins 1 of the last 3 races before Chase, think the current top 16 will be your 16 Chase drivers.

1. Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports Chevy): 4 wins, 752 points. 10 Top 5.
2. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota): 4 wins, 395 points. (*Missed 1st 11 races).
3. Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota): 3 wins, 751 points. 9 Top 5.
4. Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 2 wins, 866 points. 11 Top 2,16 Top 5, 20 Top 10.
5. Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford): 2 wins, 818 points. 13 Top 5.
6. Dale Earnhardt (Hendrick Motorsports Chevy): 2 wins, 784 points. 11 Top 5.
7. Kurt Busch (Stewart-Hass Chevy): 2 wins, 683 points. 8 Top 5. (*Missed 1st 3 races due to suspension).
8. Martin Truex (Furniture Row Racing Chevy): 1 win, 755 points. 7 Top 5, 16 Top 10.
9. Brad Keselowski (Team Penske, Ford): 1 win, 754 points. 5 Top 5.
10. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota): 1 win, 670 points. 7 Top 5.
11. Carl Edwards (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota): 1 win, 628 points. 2 Top 5.

12. Jamie McMurray (Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates Chevy): 663 points, 2 Top 5.
13. Paul Menard (Richard Childress Racing Chevy): 654 points, 2 Top 5.
14. Ryan Newman (Richard Childress Racing Chevy): 649 points, 4 Top 5
15. Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports Chevy): 648 points, 3 Top 5.
16. Clint Bower (MIchael Waltrip RacingToyota): 616 points, 1 Top 5.

17. Aric Almirola (Richard Petty Motorsports Ford): 593 points.
18. Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Chevy): 590 points.
19. Greg Biffle (Roush-Fenway Ford): 553 points.
20. Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates Chevy): 548 points.
21. Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Chevy): 533 points.
22. Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 508 points.
23. AJ Almendinger (JTG Daugherty Chevy): 497 points.
24. Casey Mears (Germain Racing Chevy): 495 points.
25. David Reagan (Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota): 487 points.
26. Sam Hornish Jr (Richard Petty Motorsports Ford): 450 points.
27. Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 441 points.
28. Trevor Bayne (Roush-Fenway Ford): 414 points.
29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Roush-Fenway Ford): 411 points.
30. Justin Allgaier (HScott Motorsports Chevy): 377 points.
31. Cole Whitt (Front Row Motorsports Ford): 372 points.
32. David Gilliland (Front Row Motorsports Ford): 354 points.
http://espn.go.com/rpm/standings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[89Hen]

Unless someone outside the top 11 wins 1 of the last 3 races before Chase, think the current top 16 will be your 16 Chase drivers.

18. Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Chevy): 590 points.
19. Greg Biffle (Roush-Fenway Ford): 553 points.
24. Casey Mears (Germain Racing Chevy): 495 points.
25. David Reagan (Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota): 487 points.
27. Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 441 points.
28. Trevor Bayne (Roush-Fenway Ford): 414 points.

Definitely some guys who could.

[93henfan]

My prediction: a Gibbs car will be driven by the champion. JGR is absolutely dominant right now.

[grizzaholic]

1. Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports Chevy): 4 wins, 752 points. 10 Top 5.
2. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota): 4 wins, 395 points. (*Missed 1st 11 races).
3. Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota): 3 wins, 751 points. 9 Top 5.
4. Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 2 wins, 866 points. 11 Top 2,16 Top 5, 20 Top 10.
5. Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford): 2 wins, 818 points. 13 Top 5.

hummm. Seems the guy I root for, who everyone else hates, is just showing up and dominating.

[BDKJMU]

My prediction: a Gibbs car will be driven by the champion. JGR is absolutely dominant right now.

Yep. JGR actually struggled in the first 2 1/2 months of the season outside of the short tracks. But since Charlotte has really turned it on (Swept All Star Race (Hamlin) & 600 (Edwards).
-Winless in the 1st 5 races but has won 9 of the last 18, 6 of the last 8, and 5 of the last 6.
-Only multi car team with all their drivers locked into the Chase (all 4 in the Top 11).
-All 4 in the Top 5 at KY, 1st time a team has gotten 4 Top 5s since Roush did it in 08'.
-They're mostly qualifying very well too, during these last 6 weeks. All 4 in the Top 8 at Loudon. All 4 in the Top 11 at Pocono. Qualified 1,2, 3, and 6 this past weekend at Michigan.

And right now I'd put Penske 2nd. Hendrick has definitely slipped some. Last 6 races:
JGR: 6 top 2/5 wins
Penske: 5 Top 2/1 win.
Hendrick: 0 Top 2/0 wins

Right now I'd bet the Final 4 would be:
-Kyle Busch- been on a tear since he came back. 4 wins in 12 races (4 in the last 8).
-Kenseth: last 6 races: 6 Top 10s, 4 Top 5s, 2 wins
-Harvick: Runaway points leader, only 2 wins but a ridiculous 10 Top 2, & runaway leader in Top 5s (16) and Top 10s (20). Also the only driver outside of the JGR and Penske that has contended for wins the last 2 weeks.
-Logano: Only 2 wins, but 2nd to Harvick in points & Top 5s (13). In the last 6 races he's had 4 Top 2s and 1 win.

I know Johnson is #1 in the Chase standings with 4 wins and usually turns it on come Chase time (didn't happen last yr) but in the last 6 races he has 0 Top 5 and Hendrick since Daytona has clearly slipped..

Course things could change come Sept/Oct...

[BDKJMU]

1. Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports Chevy): 4 wins, 752 points. 10 Top 5.
2. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota): 4 wins, 395 points. (*Missed 1st 11 races).
3. Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota): 3 wins, 751 points. 9 Top 5.
4. Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Chevy): 2 wins, 866 points. 11 Top 2,16 Top 5, 20 Top 10.
5. Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford): 2 wins, 818 points. 13 Top 5.

hummm. Seems the guy I root for, who everyone else hates, is just showing up and dominating.

Yep. I don't like him (don't dislike him as much as I used too) but he is kicking some arse right now...

[93henfan]

I think Jr's cap is possibly making the final four. When it gets down to the cutthroat moments, Jr just won't move a guy like his dad would. It's frustrating as hell.

[89Hen]

the guy I root for

Seems about right.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeLbOERUEVs[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X39G-ezsEHk[/youtube]

[BDKJMU]

"JMU-branded car to run at next month's NASCAR race in Richmond

NASCAR fans who have an allegiance to James Madison University will have something else to cheer for during
the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 12.

James Madison athletics and BK Racing announced a partnership Wednesday that will place a school-branded entry into NASCAR's main event at RIR.

BK Racing, which is co-owned by former JMU Board of Visitors member Ron Devine (‘78), will have its No. 83 car, decked out in purple and gold, driven by Matt DiBenedetto. The car features JMU purple prominently around most of the exterior with gold accent on the top and bottom. The car displays JMU’s full portfolio of athletics’ logos in highly visible locations over the entire surface.

"James Madison University is a wonderful university that is nationally known," Devine said in a press release announcing the partnership. "We are excited to be able to display the JMU logos on the national stage through NASCAR. As an alumnus, I was glad to provide this sponsorship for JMU and athletics as a way to support its strategic plan, national branding efforts and overall university pride."

The Federated Auto Parts 400 will start at 7:30 p.m. at RIR on Sept. 12. The race will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network.

“We are grateful to Ron Devine and BK Racing for this sponsorship opportunity to showcase our university and athletics program on a professional sports stage,” JMU athletic director Jeff Bourne said. “As part of our strategic plan, Engaged in Excellence, we are striving to increase the brand and identity of our athletics program nationally. BK Racing and NASCAR provide a unique platform for increasing the overall awareness of and affinity for our university and our sports programs.”

DiBenedetto, 24, is 36th in Sprint Cup points this year - his rookie season.

"I am excited to have JMU on board my No. 83 BK Racing Toyota under the lights at Richmond," DiBenedetto said. "The car looks awesome, and it will be pretty neat to join forces with a university to promote both NASCAR and college football."
http://www.richmond.com/sports/auto-rac ... 15b05.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;