My apologies for disappearing for the 2008 season and the start of 2009. I think that I've been celebrating - and gloating about all the Kyle Busch wins, that I haven't had much time to write on here. I like that excuse... I'll stick with that one.
A lot has happened so far in the 2009 season that certainly deserves a lot of attention, from the controversy of the ending of the Daytona 500, to Kyle Busch's big wins at Las Vegas and on his birthday this past week in Richmond(along with is track streak ending win at Bristol). Brad Keselowski's move at Talladega which sent Carl Edwards airborne, and ultimately into the catch fence. The team mergers between DEI/Ganassi, Petty/GEM... Joey Logano!... Somebody stop me!
As you can see, I have a little bit to say about everything - but catching up would just take too long and probably rehash all the stories that have been over talked about. I am even forgoing my personal experience in the pits for the 2009 Daytona 500, while filming a commercial for ESPN. Talk about an experience of a lifetime!
We're in the present now - so lets talk about the ladies! Or perhaps one lady in particular. DARLINGTON HERE WE COME! Defending race leader Kyle Busch is heading to the track with momentum, but is all that birthday cake going to slow him down?
The teams are well on their way to the Lady in Black, and we'll see tomorrow what teams are looking strong at practice.
As far as REAL NEWS goes, apart from my own personal fluff of my triumphant return - latest word has it that Mark Marin has signed on with Hendrick Motorsports for a full season in 2010. I believe that Brad has been waiting patiently... and I think he needs to get to a point where he really needs to think about himself. Sure it would be great to be in Hendrick equipment, but is it worth stalling your career for the Hendrick name brand? I understand that they helped Brad start his career. (In actuality it was Jr - pre HMS). Maybe that's all that they were good for. Point is, that they are not helping Brad advance further - HMS is doing the opposite. Plus with a line up of Jr, Jeff and Jimmie, a veteran like Mark Martin can hold his own in that stable. Put a rookie like Brad Keselowski in there and it has to be tough on the kid at some level, whether it is expectations, or the lack of star power compared to your fellow teammates. The funny thing is Brad might not realize how hard it would be to join that stable until he is in there. And it has nothing to do with him, his talent or who he is teammates with - it has to do with what the media will make of it.
But hey... I could be wrong.
Before I conclude this portion of my blog,
I would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of one of NASCAR's greats, David Poole. You will be sincerely missed.
I would also like to take a moment for another passing in the NASCAR community, Kevin Grubb.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If this is your first visit to this blog, I recommend checking out the very first post to understand what a "Wes Walk" truly is, as you will see that term come up frequently.
Before we officially start this section back up, let's have a blast from the past:
Here are what our teams looked like in 2007:
Me:
Kyle Busch
Kurt Busch
Kasey Kahne
Zack:
Jeff Gordon
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Mark Martin
Dad:
Jimmie Johnson
Tony Stewart
Matt Kennseth
Mom:
Elliot Sadler
Jeff Burton
Bobby Labonte
Needless to say - things have shifted... a lot... Here are the current teams (# of wes wins are noted next to each driver):
Me:
Kyle Busch - 3
Kurt Busch - 1
Kasey Kahne
ROOKIE: Brad Keselowski - 1
Zack:
Jeff Gordon - 1
Jimmie Johnson - 1
Matt Kenseth*
ROOKIE: ??? unknown
Dad:
Tony Stewart
Mark Martin - 1
Clint Bowyer
ROOKIE: Joey Logano
Mom:
Denny Hamlin
Carl Edwards
Jeff Burton
ROOKIE: Colin Braun
Big change 'eh? Note that I am the only one who has remained true to their team since the very beginning.
Note the * next to Kenseth's name, along with the fact that there are no Wes Walk wins. At Daytona before the 500, my dad and I had the following conversation:
Dad: I think I'm going to drop Kenseth
Me: I wouldn't do that...
Dad: Why not.. he sucked last year
me: I think you'll regret it... he's usually a very consistent driver and I think he's good to have.
Dad: He's too vanilla his personality doesn't mesh with mine...
Me: Maybe... but I still think it would be a mistake, he's a great driver to have for you top 5's and for the 123 finishes... I think you should keep him.
Dad: No... I'm dropping him... there.. he's dropped...
Me: Ok, fine... You're going to regret it...
annnndddddddddd Matt Kenseth wins the Daytona 500... andddd at Fontana - Autoclub Speedway... way to go dad... AFTER the two wins, Zack decided to pick up Kenseth.
Also note that we have included rookies... they only count if they win.
Another note is that this is all about betting and acquiring wes walks, thus one wants the best chance at winning by picking the strongest drivers. Notice that one of the 'big names' have been completely dropped from all teams (he was shuffled around in the '08 season)...
Showing posts with label NASCAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NASCAR. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
I AM FOR EQUALITY!
Here is my little rant to M&M World after my visit Sunday, May 3rd 2009....
To Whom It May Concern:
I believe that all M&M World’s should be created equal. M&M World has been my “happy” place in the crazy city of New York for the past few years. As a resident of Manhattan, I frequently go there as a release from any work or personal stress. Walking around three floors of colorful chocolaty goodness melts all that away.
My personal favorite part was the racecar on the second floor, with Diecast cars and M&M/NASCAR merchandise surrounding it. Being a huge NASCAR fan, there was always that thrill and excitement being up close to a car that made some laps around a track or two. Then the unthinkable happened!
My favorite driver, Kyle Busch was forced out of Hendrick Motorsports and was no longer sponsored by Carquest/Kelloggs. The big question for me, as I was watching the Speed channel, munching on my Kyle color coordinated M&M’s was – who will be Kyle’s new sponsor?! Well you know better than anyone else how that deal panned out. I could not have been more ecstatic to have my favorite driver sport my favorite chocolate and race snack.
After the 2007 year, the previous car was removed, for what I was anticipating a replacement of the new M&M’s Toyota Camry, with the new 2008 paint scheme. Well, it’s 2009 and as I write this, 11 trips to Victory Lane in the M&M’s car. Yet there is barely any representation of Kyle in M&M World in NYC. What little merchandise they do have, gets constantly shuffled around the store.
The vast amount of merchandise that M&M World carried with previous drivers vs. Kyle Busch appears absurd considering each of their on track success. The M&M’s car has not visited victory lane in a long time, and Kyle has been able to put it there numerous times.
You are currently sponsoring, what I believe is the best driver this sport has ever seen. I realize that Kyle’s hometown in Las Vegas – but that doesn’t mean that they should be the only one getting all the fun! Therefore I say - Equality for all M&M Worlds!!!
Thank you for your time,
Jocelyn Schwartz
To Whom It May Concern:
I believe that all M&M World’s should be created equal. M&M World has been my “happy” place in the crazy city of New York for the past few years. As a resident of Manhattan, I frequently go there as a release from any work or personal stress. Walking around three floors of colorful chocolaty goodness melts all that away.
My personal favorite part was the racecar on the second floor, with Diecast cars and M&M/NASCAR merchandise surrounding it. Being a huge NASCAR fan, there was always that thrill and excitement being up close to a car that made some laps around a track or two. Then the unthinkable happened!
My favorite driver, Kyle Busch was forced out of Hendrick Motorsports and was no longer sponsored by Carquest/Kelloggs. The big question for me, as I was watching the Speed channel, munching on my Kyle color coordinated M&M’s was – who will be Kyle’s new sponsor?! Well you know better than anyone else how that deal panned out. I could not have been more ecstatic to have my favorite driver sport my favorite chocolate and race snack.
After the 2007 year, the previous car was removed, for what I was anticipating a replacement of the new M&M’s Toyota Camry, with the new 2008 paint scheme. Well, it’s 2009 and as I write this, 11 trips to Victory Lane in the M&M’s car. Yet there is barely any representation of Kyle in M&M World in NYC. What little merchandise they do have, gets constantly shuffled around the store.
The vast amount of merchandise that M&M World carried with previous drivers vs. Kyle Busch appears absurd considering each of their on track success. The M&M’s car has not visited victory lane in a long time, and Kyle has been able to put it there numerous times.
You are currently sponsoring, what I believe is the best driver this sport has ever seen. I realize that Kyle’s hometown in Las Vegas – but that doesn’t mean that they should be the only one getting all the fun! Therefore I say - Equality for all M&M Worlds!!!
Thank you for your time,
Jocelyn Schwartz
Monday, April 2, 2007
Wes Walk Update : Martinsville
WHAT A FINISH!!! (and once again Dad with the wes walk win) Jimmie Johnson battling it out with teammate Jeff Gordon for the win! Another exciting finish for Nascar fans.. or not. - that all depends if you’re one of those who is a fan of Hendricks Motorsports. Those who aren’t probably hoping for the the two to wreck each other letting Denny Hamlin in for the win. Nonetheless, it was an exciting finish and Jimmie Johnson wins his 4th race of the season, while extending Gordon’s 24 winless streak. This makes Rick Hendrick very exited with 4 wins in a row, with Kyle winning the previous race at Bristol, and Jimmie Johnson’s two consecutive wins prior to that. Not to mention a 1, 2 and 4 finish at Martinsville.
However Gordon is not happy with his second place finish. He tried roughing up his teammate a bit, but simply could not pass Johnson. Gordon refused to push Jimmie hard enough to wreck him for the win, and even asked Hendrick’s permission to bump him a little bit. Hendrick told all the drivers over the radio to “think of the big picture”.
The killer is that after Jimmie Johnson raced dead last in practice, His crew Chief Chad Knaus went to Gordon’s team for help. They copied Gordon’s exact set up, which enabled Jimmie’s car to go for the win.
However some will say that this race was stolen from Dale Earnhardt Jr. who lost his track position as the leader after the rain delay. Fans were able to cheer and proudly wave red for over a hundred laps that Dale Jr led, but all that excitement quickly vanished once the race started up again, and Jr complained about having something in his eye. After the race he stated that he was tired of coming so close to winning and not making it to victory lane.
As far as COT troubles – breaks were a slight issue to about a dozen cars, but the officials are trying to keep a low profile about some of the issues that they are having with the new model. The more prominent issue is the melting safety foam, which took Kevin Harvick out of contention. Driving in the toxic fumes that are released when the foam melts is not something a driver looks forward to. However Nascar states that there was one car who had this problem and 42 were fine. Definitely an improvement from Bristol – but still not good enough!
The only thing left to say… is that JJ Yelley’s name is NOT pronounce “Yay-Lay”….
However Gordon is not happy with his second place finish. He tried roughing up his teammate a bit, but simply could not pass Johnson. Gordon refused to push Jimmie hard enough to wreck him for the win, and even asked Hendrick’s permission to bump him a little bit. Hendrick told all the drivers over the radio to “think of the big picture”.
The killer is that after Jimmie Johnson raced dead last in practice, His crew Chief Chad Knaus went to Gordon’s team for help. They copied Gordon’s exact set up, which enabled Jimmie’s car to go for the win.
However some will say that this race was stolen from Dale Earnhardt Jr. who lost his track position as the leader after the rain delay. Fans were able to cheer and proudly wave red for over a hundred laps that Dale Jr led, but all that excitement quickly vanished once the race started up again, and Jr complained about having something in his eye. After the race he stated that he was tired of coming so close to winning and not making it to victory lane.
As far as COT troubles – breaks were a slight issue to about a dozen cars, but the officials are trying to keep a low profile about some of the issues that they are having with the new model. The more prominent issue is the melting safety foam, which took Kevin Harvick out of contention. Driving in the toxic fumes that are released when the foam melts is not something a driver looks forward to. However Nascar states that there was one car who had this problem and 42 were fine. Definitely an improvement from Bristol – but still not good enough!
The only thing left to say… is that JJ Yelley’s name is NOT pronounce “Yay-Lay”….
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