Martinsville

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Top-35 in Owners Points and a guaranteed starting spot at Martinsville Speedway are set:
the following drivers/teams are in the top-35 in owners points:
30) #96-Raines/HOF Racing 404, +73
31) #14-Marlin/Ginn Racing 400, +69
32) #45-Petty/Petty Enterprises 382, +51
33) #88-Rudd/RYR 374, +43
34) #9-Kahne/Evernham 365, +34
35) #70-Sauter/Haas CNC Racing 365, 34 pts ahead of 36th
these teams and drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #4-Burton/Morgan-McClure Motorsports 331, 34 pts behind 35th
37) #22-Blaney/Bill Davis Racing 325, -40 toyota
38) #83-Vickers/Team Red Bull 322, -43 toyota
39) #44-Jarrett/Michael Waltrip Racing 320 [has 2 champ provisionals left to use], -45 toyota
40) #21-Schrader-Wood/ Wood Brothers 320, -45
41) #49-Bliss/BAM Racing 287, -78
42) #15-Menard/DEI 281, -84
43) #10-Riggs/Evernham 265, -100
(3-25-2007)

[dezertranger1600]

Anyone think Jarret will use his provisional this week?:D ha ha..I hope POS goes home again.

[dezertranger1600]

* weekend

[RGFan]

If he has to use it in Martinsville, he has no more provisionals. The beginning of the end for MWR. POS not making it is one thing, but POS and Jarret, UPS and Napa just have to be screaming. If Bill Elliot does come on board, UPS came with Jarret, it was not like POS wooed them or anything. The only reason they are there is becasue of DJ. I wonder what they will think about loosing DJ for Bill Elliot.........If these sponsors are with this team for another 10 races like this, I will be amazed. Teams do have contracts with sponsors, but my understanding is that sponsors have performance clauses that they can use to back out of a contract. Hell, look at Harrah's, Robby is performing and they still backed out, granted they are in the midst of a buy out.

[mattb]

Maybe DJ SHOULD race the truck?

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Here is the real funny part, Riggs has to race his way in... He will and with the PCP that now only leaves 5 spots for ALL the rest Toyota teams to fight their way in. Toyota should have just had two teams and four cars total To start. Basically what they do every weekend now is beat each other up. If Bill Davis had the 22, and one Red Bull Car. And MWR had only the 44 and 55... The teams would be way better off now. Oh and not cheat... That would have helped too. Then they should have kept Rudiman and Mayfield racing Busch but doing tons of CUP testing.

[RGFan]

That makes alot of sense. But Red Bull wanted to have their own team. Remove that from the equation and there would have been no obvious reason to not go with RG instead. WOulda coulda shoulda........ You are right though, they will all be fighting each other for positions, not a good way to foster positive team comradery, especially over at MWR. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I do not see how MWR can last another 10 races as they are now with them not making races. If DJ can not make a race on time, POS in the same boat and Reutimann having those issues, how can Napa, UPS and Dominoes/Burger King stay with

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hasn't Rutimen knocked Vickers out twice and Mikey out once?

[RGFan]

Yes he has, what a bunch of drama over at MWR. Mikey can start a new TV show.......Here are some working names
1. As the Pizza Twirls
2. As the Burger Flops
3. As the Package (UPS) tumbles
4. As the (Napa) Parts Break

The Best Hour of Nascar Drama on TV Today

[dezertranger1600]

lol nice

[Ryno]

Jarrett has (2) provisionals left as of now. He qualified on speed last week. Riggs and Kenny Schrader will qualify on speed. That leaves one helluva bone for the toyotas to fight over. Menard is on the teeter-totter. One week he's great, the next week he's qualifying speed is WAY under the rest of the field's.

On another note, RG and the Biff are pretty good friends. He would stay in a Ford if RG bought the Roush car.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Yeah I could see at the end of the year john Menard throwing down the coin for the #16 to be moved to RGM and Put paul in the ride. Then See the 26 getting changed to the 16 and McMurrey getting his walking papers.

[RGFan]

Exactly, that is how I would see it. Biffle and RG may be good friends off of the track, but like alot of people, they share a very checkered relationship on the track. And lets face it, Biffle leaving Roush for RGM would be a step down for Biffle right now, that is my opinion anyways. I think that RGM and Roush could benefit from each other. RGM would have access to the huge think tank that is Roush. And Roush would in the end gain a car or two for testing. Paul Menard is not getting DEI's best right now. I think that John or Paul would have no problem sending Paul over to RGM, especially with tech support from Roush. I would love to see John Menard come into RGM with 49% ownership and alot of money with RG retaining 51%. In 10 years from now see RGM have vehicles in SCORE, COOR, Dakar, ALS, WRO, IRL, CTS, Busch and Cup....Somebody slap me and wake me up!

[Hemp]

in ten years from now robby will almost be fifty years old, and i dont really think roush has much to gain from RGM. And that would honestly be a big step down for biffle

[DanDan]

Biffle's explanation of the penalty sounded pretty good. If they were going to cheat they would raise the rear not lower it.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Biffle's explanation of the penalty sounded pretty good. If they were going to cheat they would raise the rear not lower it.


Not if your car was tight and needed to balence it.

[Dezert Edge Racing]

so was there a penalty given to Biffle and/or his team?


NICK

[kaw500]

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/features/power_rankings/06/martinsville/index.html

Power Rankings RG drops to 20 not sure about the comment????

CM breaks in at 25th

[kaw500]

so was there a penalty given to Biffle and/or his team?NICK

I'm still waiting to hear, anybody?

[Bricoop]

I'm still waiting to hear, anybody?

Wait no further

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle won't be penalized for Bristol infraction
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Greg Biffle won't be penalized for failing post-race inspection at Bristol Motor Speedway in NASCAR's debut of the Car of Tomorrow.

NASCAR also said Wednesday it planned to inform teams it will relax the tolerances on a height and weight requirement for the COT as the sanctioning body adjusts to reactions in the new car.

The rear of Biffle's fifth-place car Ford was too low after the race - a violation that is normally found at Daytona and Talladega and typically warrants a penalty. But NASCAR is still adjusting to the COT and how it withstands race conditions.

NASCAR officials studied Biffle's Ford earlier this week, and determined that the rear of the car had settled because of normal wear and tear.

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice-president of competition, and John Darby, the Nextel Cup director, scheduled a news conference for Friday morning at Martinsville Speedway to discuss their findings.

NASCAR opened this season by doling out several stiff penalties - including the suspension of six team members for five different teams - for violations discovered during Daytona 500 preparations. So in not penalizing Biffle and Roush-Fenway Racing, NASCAR could be subjected to claims of double-standards.

The difference, though, is that the COT is still a work in progress and NASCAR may make slight adjustments depending on its findings over the next few COT races.

The car will be used again this weekend at Martinsville, and NASCAR is considering increasing the number of cars it inspects after the race. Eight cars were inspected after Bristol and two - Biffle's and race-winner Kyle Busch's - were sent back to the R&D centre in Concord for further analysis.

Based on the findings, NASCAR is raising the minimum weight balance on the right side of the cars from 748 kilograms to 771 kilograms. And, the post-race minimum height is being expanded slightly before this weekend's race.

[Bricoop]

Any Idea who TBA(to be announced) will be on RG's hood this weekend?

[RGFan]

Any Idea who TBA(to be announced) will be on RG's hood this weekend?

It is a new cologne:D :D :D Sorry, have to use a sense of humor with all of this. DId you all hear about what Larry Mcclure did, he pulled a trick out of POS's hat. He has essentially purchased the James FInch 09 points and applied them to the 4, bringing the 4 up to 38th in points. I hate this crap. Race what you brung (I know, english professors are shreeking at my word brung right now). All of this crap with manipulating the points is BS. Nascar should really close that loop hole

[woundedyak]

I'm sure Nascar is going to change some rules next year about manipulating the points. I bet more then a few teams have b**ch about it. On the other hand, I haven't watched any practice this week but, I bet the Gibbs cars will be pretty strong. I would even like to see the #11 take the checker. After watching the #5 in his post race interview at Bristol. I have lost all what little respected as a driver I had for him.I hope they don't resign him and give someone else a chance to have a seat in a good car.

[Bricoop]

POS failed to qualify again!!!!

RG will start 25th.

[spalind]

POS failed to qualify again!!!!

RG will start 25th.

That is ridiculous!! How much must Toyota be kicking themselves at this point...How long till he just cashes his chips in and hands things off to someone else...Its not like NO other Toyota drivers are making races...Its just Mikee who fails every week...Nice that RG is starting well inside the top 30...though his proximity to JPM worries me....couple of hot heads bumping fenders ain't such a good thing on a short track like this...

[RGFan]

That is ridiculous!! How much must Toyota be kicking themselves at this point...How long till he just cashes his chips in and hands things off to someone else...Its not like NO other Toyota drivers are making races...Its just Mikee who fails every week...Nice that RG is starting well inside the top 30...though his proximity to JPM worries me....couple of hot heads bumping fenders ain't such a good thing on a short track like this...

Heee Heee heee heee, POS failed again:p :p :p RG and JPM are hot heads, but they are argueably two of the most naturally gifted drivers in all of Nascar, so if they do bump, they will more than likely be able to come out of anything ok.

[woundedyak]

The funny thing is,David Reutimann was the one who knocked POS out!LOL. I wonder if he will get a raise next year?

[Dezert Edge Racing]

Maybe Mikey just wasnt meant to drive? LOL

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tim_tuttle/03/29/notebook/index.html


NICK

[dezertranger1600]

I LMAO when i saw POS' trailer leaving the track.:D
Better watch out for the Gibbs cars...they will be very strong.

[Bricoop]

RG 21st in 2nd Practice.

[b-makk]

Maybe Mikey just wasnt meant to drive? LOL

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tim_tuttle/03/29/notebook/index.html


NICK

HAHA, good article. I'm sure his whole lousy organization is hoping he'll do just that. Leffler is a better driver than him.

[Scrapiron]

POS failed to qualify again!!!!

RG will start 25th.

6th race of the season and still negative points. LOL

[dezertranger1600]

6th race of the season and still negative points. LOL

New team- $5mil ( dont know the exact amount:d)
new shop- 1 mil

Failing to make the first six races & having your sponsors pissed as all hell- Priceless.:)

[RGFan]

New team- $5mil ( dont know the exact amount:d)
new shop- 1 mil

Failing to make the first six races & having your sponsors pissed as all hell- Priceless.:)


Try 20 mil ball park for each team and for the shop he is building, above 40 mil. They are saying that this shop is supposed to put Penske's new shop to shame, that is a tall order.

[dezertranger1600]

Told ya I didnt know,just wanted to make a Visa type thing about POS:D

[RGFan]

Told ya I didnt know,just wanted to make a Visa type thing about POS:D

Yeah, I know, but the real numbers sound so much more depressing for POS:D

[dezertranger1600]

True that:D

[dezertranger1600]

BTW,why is Robby still wearing Monster gear?saw him & his crew still in Monster gear.

[JRod]

Monster has already been approved for his pitcrew/associate sponsor. The main sponsor thing is just not done.....yet....

[kaw500]

Just got back in (down in the desert since thur) and this don't look good. No sponsor and about to go a lap down.

[dezertranger1600]

Currently in 40th & one lap down.

[RGFan]

I wish RG drove Martinsville like he does turn 11 at Sonoma, he would be in the top 5 rather than the 40th position

[kaw500]

RG frustrated, 4 letter words on the radio. Think if I go mow the lawn by the time I get back things might look better? Typical Marinsville for the #7.

[kaw500]

I wish RG drove Martinsville like he does turn 11 at Sonoma, he would be in the top 5 rather than the 40th position

I'd go along with that observation.

[JRod]

Unfortunately, this week and last are all about points survival... RG said a couple times today, "I hate this place"

It's not RGs style at all, no matter what road course the turns are like.

[RGFan]

Unfortunately, this week and last are all about points survival... RG said a couple times today, "I hate this place"

It's not RGs style at all, no matter what road course the turns are like.

Yeah, this is his worst track by far in the entire series.

[JRod]

Yeah, this is his worst track by far in the entire series.

Yeah, they were all nostalgic about how it hasn't changed since the 1940s when nascar started there...Here's your sign.

[RGFan]

I hope he can manage to stay in the top 25, but it is not looking that way, he is maintaining 39th. He will be ok I think, as long as he can get away from the short tracks.

[kaw500]

I hope he can manage to stay in the top 25, but it is not looking that way, he is maintaining 39th. He will be ok I think, as long as he can get away from the short tracks.

If he keeps the wheels on it he should stay in the top 25. Next 3 tracks give him a chance to climb in the standings. I gotta say there is no quit in that team even 4 laps down the the chatter on the radio is all about getting that car better.

Nice run for Schrader in the #21 today.

[RGFan]

THey have to. They have to treat this as one great big test session and take advantage of every moment they have on the track.

[kaw500]

Up to 36th and spin let's have rain and end this nightmare.

Rain delay lap 357 if it holds RG only loses 3 postion in the points but I got a feeling they are going to get it going again. That might not be a bad thing either maybe the #7 will move up if some others have issues.

[RGFan]

3 spots would be sweet. I sure would like to know what is going on with this thing that Cal Wells was talking about...........My "Friend" will not tell me anything..........

[dezertranger1600]

Pace car leading em off again...about ready to begin.Nightmare day for RG..3 cautions caused by him.

[kaw500]

JPM caused it DW won't dare say it was his fault.

[kaw500]

90 to go RG 35th, POINTS!

[REEVESRacing]

JPM caused it DW won't dare say it was his fault.

unbelievable...

The footage of Newman and JPM from Raines (#96) car...Newman just pushed JPM out of the way for 8th, then Raines and JPM, sure looked like JPM wrecked him from here, there HAS to be a bullseye on the Texaco star,:rolleyes:

[JRod]

ATTRITION! Our best friend- Be nice to gain about 5 more spots if it's not too much to ask...

[DanDan]

ATTRITION! Our best friend- Be nice to gain about 5 more spots if it's not too much to ask...

DJs the first one. :D Harvick the second? 33d?

[DanDan]

This thing with the foam in the doors catching fire is pretty hosed.

[JRod]

I like how DW says, "It can't burn! It won't burn!" Then he back steps into, "Well when I said it wouldn't burn, that came from Nascar..." DW's driving the bus in the booth....haha

[kaw500]

All things considered 34th and only losing 2 spots in the points (1 point off of only losing 1 spot) not a bad day. Remove the bad taste from the last 3 races and back to moving forward.

[RGFan]

How about that finish. I sure would have loved to hear Rick Hendrick talk to Jeff Gordon before that last restart. He sure did not look all that happy getting out of the car, get ready for some whining. Looks like that SCORE upbringing sure beat out the sprint car upbringing today, and many days this season.

[JRod]

All in all, it's how you look at it.

34th place, down two spots in the points...or...

salvaged a car that we all thought was going to come in last after being wrecked 3 dozen times....

[kaw500]

How about that finish. I sure would have loved to hear Rick Hendrick talk to Jeff Gordon before that last restart. He sure did not look all that happy getting out of the car, get ready for some whining. Looks like that SCORE upbringing sure beat out the sprint car upbringing today, and many days this season.

JG is bummed a little whinning but a heck of a finish now let's get out of this pit.

The #8 team sure is turning things around.

[RGFan]

How about that finish. I sure would have loved to hear Rick Hendrick talk to Jeff Gordon before that last restart. He sure did not look all that happy getting out of the car, get ready for some whining. Looks like that SCORE upbringing sure beat out the sprint car upbringing today, and many days this season.

Cry cry cry Jeff Gordon, what a fricken cry baby. Shut the F up Jeff Gordon. The biggest cry baby in Nascar. WHile he is at it, he should figure out where the hell he is from. Is he from Northern California or Indiana, it can not be both.....Man he bugs me.:D

[DanDan]

How about that finish. I sure would have loved to hear Rick Hendrick talk to Jeff Gordon before that last restart. He sure did not look all that happy getting out of the car, get ready for some whining. Looks like that SCORE upbringing sure beat out the sprint car upbringing today, and many days this season.

You called that one. :D

[RGFan]

Way to stick it out RGM. Not a great finish, but way to hang in there points wise. Lets get on to a real track and use some of that Roush/Yates HP. THey need to finish solidly in the next few races, they are about 100 points give or take out of 34th

[dezertranger1600]

I agree about the JG whining...pissed an offroad racer countered your little ''attempt'' to bump JJ outta the way?:D

[RGFan]

I wonder how the flight home will be for JJ and JG.........On to more important things, does anyone know how much testing that RGM is doing with the COT???? IMO and this is obviously easier said being an outsider, but I just do not think that they should be this bad with this new car. I do not know if this is a lack of preparation issue, a bad luck issue or what, but I hope it gets better quick. It seems that most of the smaller teams have had much better results, all be it brief in some cases, but better results none the less. Are they puting another driver in the car for testing just to put laps on the car and get to know it better? We hear about all of these other teams that are testing on a regular basis at non-sanctioned race tracks and nothing about Team G, other than the one test at Grenville-Pickens. Speed had said that for Team G, the first COT's were finished right before the Bristol test. If that is the case, that is not good, that would explain why they are so far behind the 8 ball. Once again, what the hell do I know....I would be running that thing with a test driver atleast on a track every week just to get notes on it and it's characteristics. But that costs money. Take it to Michigan and run it at the Ford Test Facility. I am sure that they would foot the bill. Yet again, what do I know, I just really want to see RGM succeed, today really sucked.

[RGFan]

Race Report is up!

[JRod]

RGs short track performance was not great, but let's look at Ford in General. The first 6 races this season, RG has consistently been one of the best 3 Fords- Ford in general is struggling to keep up with the Bowtie domination this year...Better things to come at Texas and the test at Richmond tomorrow and Wednesday should help- I hope.

[b-makk]

maybe he picked the wrong time to switch to Ford. Their performance has dropped off since Roush put all 5 in the chase.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

race report up.

Following his best qualifying effort of 2007, Gordon started 25th in Sunday’s “Goody's Cool Orange 500.” Tire issues and a difficult-handling race car summarized Gordon’s 34th place finish at Martinsville Speedway, known as one of the toughest short-tracks on the circuit. With this race marking only the second COT appearance, there are still a lot of unknowns for the team.


Under cloudy skies and the threat of rain, the green flag dropped and as expected the caution flag soon followed when the Casey Mears was involved in a single car incident on lap three. The entire field stayed out, still trying to figure out what kind of race cars they had.


Just three laps prior to the second caution flag, Gordon pronounced that he was too free in the middle of the corners and too free on power As a result of the caution, Crew Chief Greg Erwin was able to make a slight air pressure adjustment to help tighten the car.


Despite the adjustment, the car stayed loose. On Lap 88, Gordon had a flat right front tire. Luckily, he didn’t make contact with anything. However, he was unable to get to pit road, which resulted in the third caution of the day. On the pit stop, he stopped for four new tires and a track bar adjustment to help the loose condition.


The crew continued to work on the car throughout the day each time the caution flag waved. Unfortunately, Gordon again had tire issues on Lap 306. He wasn’t as lucky this time; his right front blew sending him into the wall. The hard hit knocked the tow out and caused some fender damage. The No. 7 pit crew worked hard to get the car back on track without losing another lap.


On Lap 352, the threat of rain became a reality. After a brief delay, the race resumed. For the final 150 laps, the team worked on the handling of the car and used it as a learning experience to be better prepared when the Series returns to the track in the fall.

Gordon is now 23rd in Nextel Cup Series owner point standings and is just eleven points back of 20th-place.

“You make your own luck,” Gordon said. “We qualified 25th but we’ve still must improve our qualifying game. We’re testing Richmond this week in the COT car again, so hopefully we can learn a little bit more about it there. But I feel good about our race cars and this team, and I’m really looking forward to Texas.”

A total of 15 COT events remain on the schedule, with the NEXTEL Cup Series drivers running the new car at tracks less than 1.5 miles in length, the two road courses, and the fall Talladega race.

Gordon and his crew will test at Richmond International Raceway Tuesday and Wednesday of this week before taking the weekend off in observance of Easter. The team will then be heading to Texas Motor Speedway for the April 15th “Samsung 500.” The race starts at 2 p.m. EDT with live, high definition coverage, provided by FOX.

[dezertranger1600]

Glad to see he's keepin his head in the game,you'll git r done RG