Could they do it ?

How many NASCAR drivers could run Dakar and who would they be ?

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Permalink Reply by DEZERTBOUND on January 4, 2012 at 5:08pm

No current blacktop racer comes to mind for me, able to make the cut/task. I would like to see PT in a truck for one stage ;). I thought Rob Macheran,s style was well suited for Dakar.but he is getting up in years. After 30 years of budget off road racing. I have a lot of respect for what Robby is doing in this race called Dakar......and "Fly" the shot at your wife about driving in the rain. :)

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 4, 2012 at 11:26pm

That was what I was trying to express.

Well done Fly.

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 4, 2012 at 11:27pm

No offense, but Shrub would fade at the end of the first special. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nation on January 4, 2012 at 6:53pm

Morgan Shepard could do it did he not try to pit himself in a Nascar race a year or so ago

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Permalink Reply by GTX - HEMI on January 4, 2012 at 7:51pm

What comes to mind is Kyle Busch...not because of his talent to wheel a car but is passon to win. KB has taken darts here because of his attitude.....I like to call it his passion. Some don't like KB because of his passion he shows...some call him a baby, immature and many other names. You can't deny that the kid can drive like "HIM" or not.

Now the question has been answered by most here about who in NA$CAR could drive for 15 days and be competive. The part that most have left out is :

Who can design/build a competive race car for the DAKAR.
Who can work on the race car...and I don't mean changing a tire.
Who can design/build all the support vehcles it takes to run a 15 day race.
Who can assemble all the parts and peices it takes to compete in the 15 day race.
Who can pick the most talented people to build/maintain a race team.
Who made JJ barf in his helmet.
Who made Johnny Campbell on the 1st stage say he thought it was over a few times.

All of this on a shoe string budget no factory to pay the bills... JUST TO WIN A TROPHY.

WHO YOU SAY..........the driver who has the most passon to WIN at any cost. The one with the BAD BOY attitude that will tell you where to stick it. The one who has earned everthing by doing.......not by someone giving you a seat.

DOING IT HIS WAY...........ROBBY GORDON

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 4, 2012 at 11:29pm

Yuppa.

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Permalink Reply by geothermaljones on January 4, 2012 at 7:41pm

Kyle Busch always has/had a desert campout before the Vegas race. Regulars used to include Biffle & Casey Mears. Jimmie Johnson showed up as well when KB was a team mate, I'm not so sure about later. I think Kurt B might be good. Stewart, Kahne & Newman all know (& excel at) dirt, but sand might make 'em nervous. Jeff Gordon can probably drive anything with the right amount of practice, & he is from CA... (tho not a fan) Dale Jr. would get stuck, blame crew & go sell "collectables" from the trailer...

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Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 4, 2012 at 10:25pm

I'm from California... Woooo Whooo! That makes me qualified. Where's the keys to my Hummer?

It was mentioned... Rob Mac.... That's your guy right there. He could do it and RG knows he could. Scary to hire him tho... Might steal some thunder. LOL

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Permalink Reply by Ed Fifield on January 4, 2012 at 11:25pm

There is a special level of man that has the need to commit to this race. I don't mean the commitment to the trade, because I believe all racers that are at or near the top have that. I mean the commitment to complete this race. We all remember Tony stating how worn out he was after pulling the double. This race seems like pulling 14 doubles in a row. Not an easy task. That commitment to keep going, having the balls to finish and just keep fighting and pushing is something that I do not believe any cup racers have. Off road racing is just a much different animal than Cup. Add in roughing it for two weeks and there is no way any of these other guys could do it. These Dakar racers are just a special breed.