That Was the Week That Was –Early July 2013
It was an eventful week in NASCAR Land. It pretty much had everything. Well not everything, but a lot of “stuff” happened. First was the surprising decision that NASCAR decided that it wouldn’t punish those teams who had unapproved aero roof flaps. The decision didn’t come until Thursday, which kept the talk shows going all week. Many thought that NASCAR had dropped the ball, and others just thought it didn’t make any difference. Given the history of severe penalties lately, it did leave the fan base to ponder. Someone once posted me a Photoshop rendering that proclaimed that “Inconsistency is Our Consistency” underneath a NASCAR logo.
Follow that with what became a pretty good Nationwide Series race that ended up going far beyond the usual advertised distance. Despite the fact that Kyle Busch dominated the race, it was a good show. Joe Gibbs Racing has this series figured out, but the top two leaders in the season championship come from JR Motorsports (Regan Smith) and Sam Hornish, Jr. (Penske Racing). Go figure.
The Sprint Cup part of the weekend started with a bang. The news that Ryan Newman would not be returning to Stewart-Haas Racing was not a secret and rumored throughout the garage area. Unless SHR was going to four cars, Newman was the odd name out. Kevin Harvick was moving over with the power sponsor Budweiser and there was no room for Newman. Never has such a talented driver been dropped before, but he would make more news at the race.
Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevy team was found low during qualifying and his qualifying time (second fastest) disallowed, so he would start at the rear of the field. No one expected him to stay thee and he finished sixth, but it was another Kyle Busch runaway until the fuel mileage demon raised its evil head. Tony Stewart found himself in front, but so did others. In the end, it was Brian Vickers, running a limited schedule with Michael Waltrip Racing taking the win. Pretty good stuff.
The comments at the end of the race were more interesting. Kyle Busch, on television no less, and who finished second, made some controversial comments. What? You’re shocked? Busch’s comments that Ryan Newman was an idiot and that, “I’m glad he’s out of a job,” was old school NASCAR. Kyle made those comments because Newman and his brother Kurt Busch were involved in a tangle about the halfway mark. It was a glorious day for MWR and Vickers, and it led to speculation on who would occupy the No. 55 Toyota in 2014.
Mark Martin, who has been one of three drivers in the car (Martin, Vickers, and Michael Waltrip who runs the restrictor plate races at Daytona and Talladega. The jury is out on that. Martin has said he will not return to the No. 55 car in 2014, so speculation is in order.
So, as we continue to the off week heading to Indianapolis, it makes the season much more interesting. Where will Newman end up? Many say RCR or Penske, even though owner Roger Penske is loyal to Sam Hornish, Jr., others say he is headed for Roush or Gibbs. We will know sooner than later. Martin? Some say he will do a final tour with a limited schedule with Roush in the No. 6 car he started out in so long ago. Time will tell.
One thing is certain. Unlike the stick and ball sports, with no free agency and other madness, the result is fluid. The truth is that Hendrick Motorsports is solid with Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kasey Kahne, and others seemingly solid with their lineups, there are few options. It should be a pretty interesting silly season.
Newman & Busch Take Jabs At One Another Following New Hampshire Run-In
Ryan Newman was told last Wednesday that his services at Stewart-Haas Racing would no longer be needed beyond 2013 and that 2007 Daytona 500 winner, Kevin Harvick would fill the vacated seat. Ryan doesn’t know what he will be doing next year or if he’ll even be racing at the Cup level but at least the next race on the schedule was one of his best; New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, the weekend didn’t go according to plan. The No.39 finished 39th after crashing heavily with Kurt Busch on lap 225. Although both drivers were upset following the untimely end to their days, it’s what happened a few laps earlier involving Newman and another Busch that would make for some animated soundbites that won’t soon be forgotten.
Ryan Newman found himself racing Kyle Busch hard and the two made contact which infuriated Ryan. The two slammed doors and Ryan tried to hit him again going into a corner but only managed to trade some paint with bystander Brad Keselowski. After the race, ESPN asked Kyle Busch what happened and this is what he said…
“Ryan Newman is the biggest, stupid idiot out there….He’s a big ogre and can do whatever he wants because he can probably kick anybody’s butt so no sense getting in a fight with him. Glad he’s out of a job.”
It’s not often that you hear the word “ogre” used to describe a fellow driver and saying that he’s glad Ryan is out of a job turned some heads. It caught the attention of the whole racing community including Newman himself who held nothing back in his incensed reply to Kyle…
“I’m just afraid if I rearranged his face, I might fix it. We know he’s not very bright. He’s a heck of a talent, but he’s not very bright and I’ll leave it at that. I admit to goring Kyle down the straightaway after he blasted me into the corner. I didn’t crash him. He didn’t crash me. I don’t know what he’s got to be mad about. Evidently he’s got a bone to pick for some reason. “
“It seems like after his comments about me not having a ride and all that stuff, seems like he’s got way more to lose than I do, so I think he might check his trap there before he gets too ahead of himself. If he’s going to run his mouth, he better be able to back running his mouth.”
These two drivers are fierce competitors who both wear their emotions on their sleeves and Ryan Newman is never afraid to throw down. Go talk to Juan Pablo Montoya and Joe Logano if you think otherwise. It seems that we have an intense rivalry or feud shaping up between these two who are both vying for a chase berth and one is looking for a ride. In a tweet today, Kyle Busch actually apologized for the last part of his angry comments…
“I want to clarify that I was answering what I felt was two separate questions asked to me at the same time in an interview following the race in Loudon. The first was about how fast Kurt was and the second was how I felt about Ryan Newman blaming me for him getting wrecked.
First I answered the Kurt part. He was fast… Great to see them running well… Was a shame to see him crashed… Nowhere there did I place blame on who wrecked who. I didn’t see it and I still haven’t seen it.
My second answer came from being upset over an incident I had with RN on the track during the race. I answered it in the same response, but it was intended as a completely separate answer.
I was upset because I felt RN raced me poorly, making contact and causing damage to my RF fender that affected the handling on my racecar. This isn’t the first time that I’ve been raced poorly by RN either, which added to my frustration. All this built up and allowed my emotions to spill over for how I felt. I’m not sorry for how I feel in those moments, but could have expressed it better and certainly my comments about someone’s livelihood went too far.”
I doubt Kyle will try to continue this feud but I wouldn’t be too sure about Newman simmering down anytime soon. It will be interesting to see how these two race one another in the future and if anything controversial will unfold. Multiple drivers got angry at each other at Loudon and I believe those instances of intense anger between drivers will only increase as we get closer and closer to Richmond. You will see patience wearing thin and the aggression pick up as some drivers realize that they have to make something happened if they want one of those coveted chase spots and begin taking risks that they wouldn’t normally take.
Lastly, as long as we are taking about on track feuds; take a look at this wild video from a race at the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium that occurred the other night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2F2iHTNDE8&feature=youtu.be
The Final Word – None of the pickers picked Vickers at New Hampshire
Time often rewards us with maturity, often only after we face some adversity. The man who won at New Hampshire Sunday is not the same lad who, as a 20-year old, claimed what is now the Nationwide series crown in 2003. He is not the same guy who took out both Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr for his first Cup win just shy of his 23rd birthday in 2006. Brian Vickers presently is the best Cup driver without a full-time ride, something that will assuredly change next season, in the same car he drove past Tony Stewart to lead the final 16 laps enroute to victory this past weekend.
Vickers has paid his dues. After early career success he moved on to the new Red Bull team in 2007, failing to qualify for 13 races. Things seemed to be on the upswing before he was forced out of the car in 2010 after blood clots were discovered in his legs and near his lungs. He fought back, only to discover his return in 2011 was with a team on the down slide and about to go the way of the dodo. Without a ride, he became a part-timer for Michael Waltrip, yet in just 16 races these past two seasons he has won a race, claimed four top fives, and eight top tens. Talented, life tested, and all grown up, an even better version of Brian Vickers is back.
One driver needing to be better than he has been recently was, as Brad Keselowski finished fourth and returns to the Top Ten in the standings. An 11th place result did the same for Kasey Kahne. Stewart thought he had enough fumes to win, but that decision saw him fall all the way down to 26th when things went dry. He is back to relying on his single win for the second wild card spot.
Great day for Jeff Burton, finishing third to sit 17th in the standings. Only 31 points separates the 9th place Keselowski from Burton and only two between the 10th place Kahne and the 11th place Jeff Gordon. If Gordon moves ahead, then Stewart could find himself behind both Kahne and Martin Truex Jr for wild card dibs as he currently trails Truex by three and Kahne by five points. Gambling he had enough in the tank might prove to be costly for Smoke.
Ryan Newman gets word he is a man without a ride after this season, then he wrecks in his next race. No sympathy card coming from Kyle Busch, however. As the boys battled for eighth, Newman drifted up and wound up taking out Kurt Busch, who was having a pretty good day up to that moment. In response to his brother’s plight, the younger Busch boldly stated in a Sirius radio interview that Newman was a stupid idiot, a big ogre who does what he wants “because he can probably kick anybody’s butt” and Kyle was “glad he’s out of a job.” Ouch. Where is the love, people?
As Keith Whitley sang to us, sometimes those in love say it best when they say nothing at all. On a certain plane ride home, maybe all one heard was crickets Sunday night as Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr left the venue. Patrick got into Stenhouse, who picked up Travis Kvapil, and in the end none of them were very happy. The good news is that nobody expects much from any of them right now. Maybe the love birds could have invited Kvapil to join them on the flight home. I’m sure he would have had something to say.
At the age of 71, Morgan Shepherd became the oldest man to ever drive in a Cup race. He drove less than a third of the race, finishing 41st after parking the beast due to a vibration. How impressed should we be with his feat? Not very. Yet, it probably was more impressive than 77-year old Minnie Minoso drawing a walk in 2003 with independent baseball’s St. Paul Saints, or the single shift taken by 69-year old Gordie Howe with minor hockey’s Detroit Vipers in 1997. At least Morgan drove the damn car for more than a couple of minutes.
If you seek meaningful, there was June 18, 2005 when 46-year old Julio Franco hit a pair of homers for the Atlanta Braves against Cincinnati. Nine days later he hit a pinch-hit grand slam home run against Florida. As for Mr. Hockey, Howe scored his final NHL goal on April 9, 1980 for the Hartford Whalers against the Montreal Canadiens, his 15th of the season, at the age of 51. As for NASCAR, only four drivers have recorded a win after passing their 50th birthday. Their names are Harry Gant, Bobby Allison, Mark Martin…and Morgan Shepherd. Now, that is something to be proud of.
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Rating New Hampshire – 8.5/10 – I was pretty sure Tony and Steve Addington blew the call about gas, unless Larry McReynolds was completely wrong. He was not. We had four drivers dominate, in the Busch boys, Matt Kenseth, and Tony…before Vickers simply won it. There was drama, there was heart break, there was TNT’s crew for the final time this season. No point complaining about that right now. There will be time for that in a couple of weeks.
Indianapolis comes up on Sunday, July 28th. Until then, we can preview the ESPN gang by taking in the Nationwide action from Chicago this Sunday or the Indy action on the big track a week from Saturday as Mr. Vickers returns to action. Of course, the marquee event between now and the Brickyard will be the return to the dirt as the truck series visits Mr. Stewart’s track at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, July 24th. That should be a blast. Enjoy the next two weeks!
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: New Hampshire
Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.
1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson finished sixth at Loudon as Brian Vickers was the surprise winner in the Camping World RV Sales 301. Johnson qualified second, but started last after failing post-qualifying inspection.
“According to NASCAR,” Johnson said, “the front-end of the No. 48 was too low, so I was disqualified. You could say it was a ‘front-end suspension.’
“We dug ourselves a hole with the disqualification. But Chad Knaus is a master of digging out of holes, and even better getting out of those filled with hot water.”
2. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth finished ninth at New Hampshire, posting his tenth top-10 result of the year. He is now sixth in the Sprint Cup point standings, 120 out of first.
“What an amazing run by Brian Vickers,” Kenseth said. “What’s even more amazing? Not only did Vickers’ car pass inspection, he passed inspection.”
3. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer took 13th as Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Brian Vickers won the Camping World RV Sales 301. Bowyer moved up one spot in the point standings to second, and now trails Jimmie Johnson by 56.
“It was a banner day for MWR,” Bowyer said. “Unfortunately, Michael Waltrip couldn’t be here to see it. He was in England at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed. Some might say that for just a few days, Michael was the ‘Queen Of England.’”
4. Kevin Harvick: Harvick registered his ninth consecutive top-10 finish with a seventh at New Hampshire, while Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton finished a season-best third. Harvick is now fourth in the point standings, 74 out of first.
“Ryan Newman is not returning to Stewart-Haas Racing next year,” Harvick said. “So, according to Kyle Busch, Newman is saying ‘ogre and out’ to Stewart-Haas, and I’ll fill his spot. It’s a good exchange for Stewart; as for an ‘ogre,’ I’ve been called worse. As for Newman, I’ve been called better.”
5. Kyle Busch: Busch led 53 laps at Loudon but was overtaken late by Brian Vickers, who held on to win the Camping World RV Sales 301. Busch’s runner-up finish was his fourth top-5 result in the last seven races.
“The Busch brothers have declared all-out war on Ryan Newman,” Busch said. “I called Newman the ‘biggest, stupid idiot,’ which is almost as bad as calling someone the “stupidest, big idiot.’ But make no mistake. My brother and I don’t back down from fights, we just lose them.
“I’m sure Newman will come looking for me now. But tell him not to bother; I’m not hiring.”
6. Carl Edwards: Edwards finished eighth in the Camping World RV Sales 301 at Loudon. He is third in the point standings, 73 behind Jimmie Johnson.
“Danica Patrick turned down an offer to pose nude in ESPN’s ‘Body’ issue,” Edwards said. “I understand she replied to ESPN’s request by saying ‘No GoDaddy.’
“Once again, we’re getting worked up about Danica for nothing. What has she done in NASCAR? Not much. Maybe she should concentrate on appearing in ESPN’s ‘Somebody’ issue first.”
7. Tony Stewart: Stewart’s fuel mileage gamble fell short, costing him a sure top-10 finish at New Hampshire. He fell all the way to 26th, and tumbled out of the top 10 in the Sprint Cup point standings.
“Danica Patrick won’t get naked,” Stewart said, “but my gas tank sure will, because it petered out.”
“But how about Morgan Shepherd? At 71, he became the oldest driver to start a NASCAR race. In doing so, he’s redefined ‘late model’ racing.”
8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Earnhardt finished 14th in the Camping World RV Sales 301, the lowest finish among Hendrick Motorsports drivers. He remained in fifth in the point standings, 118 out of first.
“I can appreciate a good RV,” Earnhardt said. “Some of my fans travel to races in them; the others live in them.”
9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski edged Jimmie Johnson for the pole at Loudon and finished fourth, ending a string of five finishes outside the top 10. The defending Sprint Cup champion moved up four spots in the point standings to ninth, 167 out of first.
“It’s good to be up front,” Keselowski said. “It keeps fans and sponsors alike happy. With fans, it’s a matter of ‘What have you done for me lately?’ With sponsors, one in particular, it’s a case of ‘What have you done for me Lite-ly?’”
10. Greg Biffle: Biffle finished 15th in the Camping World RV Sales 301. He is eighth in the Sprint Cup point standings, 151 out of first.
“It was not a great day for us,” Biffle said, “nor was it one for Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. He was wrecked by his girlfriend, Danica Patrick. Word is she was fully-clothed when he rebuffed her.”
