2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
Dangerous Speedweeks
So with practice for the Daytona 500 starting this Friday (of course on Speed only, just like the qualifying races...), I sat down and started to ponder how the next couple of weeks will unfold. To be honest, the current state of Nascar makes me sick. The money machine that is the France family chases sponsors like AT&T out of the sport in a time when they should be begging companies to put names on the side of cars. Its sad when a single car team like RGM still has 15 races to sell for sponsorship and is one of the better funded "non mega team" cars at this point.
The mergers this last couple of months are a joke too. HOF racing to Yates, just so Yates has a sponsor? Poor Gilliland and Kvapil, last years work was pointless. Ganassi and DEI? Wow, Im sure Dale would have signed off on that. Now word comes that the no name Front Row Motorsports signed a deal with DEI, basically for the #15 owner points? You have got to be kidding me.
Ok, so what does any of this have to do with danger? Look at the entry list. Lets break this down into groups. First off, drivers that have not been in a cup car in years and probably shouldnt be now:
Geoff Bodine in a car owned by Larry Gunselman
Jeremy Mayfield in a car he owns
Derrick Cope in a car he owns
Now, a group of drivers that dont belong in a Cup car, period (No offense meant, just being real):
James Hylton in John Carters car
Carl Long in a car he owns
Norm Benning in a car he owns
Throw in a couple of rookies that have very little to no plate experience:
Brad Keselowski in James Finches car (support from Hendrick, so basically a fourth Hendrick entry)
Joey Lagano in the Gibbs 20 car (again, no offense, but does anyone else thinks this kids sounds gay when he talks?)
Marcos Ambrose in the JTG car (basically a MWR team)
Kelly Bires in a car owned by David Bean
Scott Speed in a RBR car
And finally, lets keep in mind many many cars will be running with partial sponsorship, making the drivers take risks they might not usually take to get that great finish and impress interested companies. (Nemecheck in a car he owns comes to mind)
To me, this formula added together spells danger, not just to Robby but to everyone who is racing. To be honest, despite the safe nature of the COT I will be surprised if there is not a serious injury during this years Speedweeks.
Hopefully Robby lays way back during the qualifying races (he is locked in, and you know he will run at the back in the 500 for most of the race anyhow to avoid problems). Hell, run one lap and park the car.
It will be an interesting few weeks. I just hope everyone comes out ok. After working in Nascar, there are a number of people I cannot stand, but I dont wish injury on anyone. I just think this years 500 is the perfect storm in terms of accidents waiting to happen.
The mergers this last couple of months are a joke too. HOF racing to Yates, just so Yates has a sponsor? Poor Gilliland and Kvapil, last years work was pointless. Ganassi and DEI? Wow, Im sure Dale would have signed off on that. Now word comes that the no name Front Row Motorsports signed a deal with DEI, basically for the #15 owner points? You have got to be kidding me.
Ok, so what does any of this have to do with danger? Look at the entry list. Lets break this down into groups. First off, drivers that have not been in a cup car in years and probably shouldnt be now:
Geoff Bodine in a car owned by Larry Gunselman
Jeremy Mayfield in a car he owns
Derrick Cope in a car he owns
Now, a group of drivers that dont belong in a Cup car, period (No offense meant, just being real):
James Hylton in John Carters car
Carl Long in a car he owns
Norm Benning in a car he owns
Throw in a couple of rookies that have very little to no plate experience:
Brad Keselowski in James Finches car (support from Hendrick, so basically a fourth Hendrick entry)
Joey Lagano in the Gibbs 20 car (again, no offense, but does anyone else thinks this kids sounds gay when he talks?)
Marcos Ambrose in the JTG car (basically a MWR team)
Kelly Bires in a car owned by David Bean
Scott Speed in a RBR car
And finally, lets keep in mind many many cars will be running with partial sponsorship, making the drivers take risks they might not usually take to get that great finish and impress interested companies. (Nemecheck in a car he owns comes to mind)
To me, this formula added together spells danger, not just to Robby but to everyone who is racing. To be honest, despite the safe nature of the COT I will be surprised if there is not a serious injury during this years Speedweeks.
Hopefully Robby lays way back during the qualifying races (he is locked in, and you know he will run at the back in the 500 for most of the race anyhow to avoid problems). Hell, run one lap and park the car.
It will be an interesting few weeks. I just hope everyone comes out ok. After working in Nascar, there are a number of people I cannot stand, but I dont wish injury on anyone. I just think this years 500 is the perfect storm in terms of accidents waiting to happen.
Views: 22
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt on
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Unfortunately though, some of them will. I agree the qualifying races are the big issue.
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Permalink Reply by James Tallant on
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I see your point. This "chaos" could backfire on Nascar as they did write the rules.
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Im happy that Robby is going to win the 500 this year!!!!GAS ON!!!
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Permalink Reply by Lance on
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Most of these guys won't make the race and those that do won't be able to keep up with the draft. I worry most about Joey Logano who has ZERO plate experience outside of 1 ARCA race at Talladega. Keselowski and Speed will be fine.
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So is Ambrose, Keselowski, Lagano, Andretti, etc.
The list is a mix, not just must qualifies...
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He is pointing out that some of these guys are questionable in skill. An example was Hamlins rapid yet successful entry into cup. The boys on this list will be under the spotlight at the 500. Remember when Robby got turned on pit road in 07 by David Gilliland. Rookie mistakes hurt..
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Permalink Reply by MikeNIN7 on
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Why black flag the safest cars on the track? I geuss you don't know what the black flag is for.
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