Darlington

[kaw500]

Saturday night with one tough old lady. OK OK so the RG fan club is a bit down, the old #7 is 30th in owners points and 29 in the drivers standings but hey it's always darkest before the dawn. Or is that they always run best just before they blow up. Oh well either way RGM as a team is struggling but all it would take is a few top 20's before Infineon and RG will be heading in the right direction. I do agree it really blows, no longer looking at big picture racing but who will crash during a race to help his finishing position.

[bajafox]

I tried watching the race on Sunday but it was pretty hard with RGM having the worse luck I could imagine and another HMS domination.

No wonder ratings are falling, there aren't enough HMS fans to keep them up and everyone else just gets tired of seeing the same thing.

I think I'm done watching until Infeneon, I gave it another shot this weekend and I just can't stand to watch it anymore...

[woundedyak]

I agree,It does get a little boring watching the "rainbow" cars up front.The Busch cars are way more exciting to watch. The other night on "inside nextel" Greg Biffle said "there are no secrets about the new cars." Well,then why are the rainbow warriors running away with every race? Did they find some HP some where?Did they find the magic shox package? What ever it is,I'm sure Nascar is tearing those cars apart to make a rule againts whatever it is that HMS found! I'm not a HMS fan but,you half to give it too them. They are on fire this year.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I agree,It does get a little boring watching the "rainbow" cars up front.The Busch cars are way more exciting to watch. The other night on "inside nextel" Greg Biffle said "there are no secrets about the new cars." Well,then why are the rainbow warriors running away with every race? Did they find some HP some where?Did they find the magic shox package? What ever it is,I'm sure Nascar is tearing those cars apart to make a rule againts whatever it is that HMS found! I'm not a HMS fan but,you half to give it too them. They are on fire this year.


Yeah it is a bit brutle... Nice how DuPont helped develope some of the components on the COT. I bet Hendrick had full CAD models of the COT.... LONG before anyone else.

[Ryno]

Hey, take it on the bright side, All 3 of POS' cars are out of the top 35.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hey, take it on the bright side, All 3 of POS' cars are out of the top 35.


Yes... Now I hope Mikey makes the race in the 55 and knocks his boys out. That would be real smart on his part. Dee Dee Dee....

[14802]

If Robby could pull this corner slide job in Nextel Cup he would be Golden...YouTube - Old School Off Road-Robby Vs Macpherson Give the team more time,you will be suprised...

[Bricoop]

If Robby could pull this corner slide job in Nextel Cup he would be Golden...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPoaMxhvnbs Give the team more time,you will be suprised...

Cool Vid. Here: YouTube - Robby Gordon #7 Black Sheep Squadron 2

[kaw500]

Cool Vid. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrnhWeOkjDs

Thanks I needed that! Makes me wish he could do INDY this year. The only thing missing was the helmet throw.

Man has it really been 4 years since he won at Infineon I remember thinking how cool it was to be at a NASCAR race and the guy your rooting for wins. Boy I hope RGM can get this year back on track.

[Bricoop]

RG will have a brand new COT on the track this week. Hopefully this one is better than the others he has.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Good deal... Hopfully the played with the wieght distribution so they can get that POS to turn better.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Is the NOL boards down?

[movindirt]

Okay trival time:

1. Who holds the record for fastest around Darlington?

2. What is the fastest speed (avg.)?

[woundedyak]

Okay trival time:

1. Who holds the record for fastest around Darlington?

2. What is the fastest speed (avg.)?

Oh Man,I just heard this the other day. I think it's either Earnhardt SR. or Jeff Burton.
As far as speed? Pfffft. I will make a weak guess and say 168.925

[movindirt]

woundedyak your warm on the person and low on speed.

[DEZERTBOUND]

Good deal... Hopfully the played with the wieght distribution so they can get that POS to turn better.

Still behind the 8-ball?...hope it is tuning in new car thing! getting old!!!!

Friday's First Practice: for the Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway is underway. The fastest after 90 of 100 minutes (the session has been extended slightly):
#99-Reutimann 163.904
#25-Mears 163.435
#16-Biffle 163.354
#2-Kurt Busch 163.072
#07-Bowyer 162.905
slowest: #7-R.Gordon 157.742

[RGFan]

Guess who had the third fastest lap average.............POS:mad:

Here we go again, another long weekend

[b-makk]

WTF is wrong with RGM??? They bloody suck week in and week out with the cars they show up with. The COT may cost him a spot in the top 35.

[RGFan]

Yeah, it is looking pretty bad this year....If they do not pull out of it soon, I am afraid that RG will end up a part time driver like POS. I do not know about you, but I am ready for him to pull back to a 2 car Busch Series team and race for somebody else. Did you guys notice on the TV show on Speed that the grading for the new shop has not even finished yet...........

[RGFan]

Lets see, lack of sponsorship, two injured team members, one a pit crew member, Shock Specialist quits, and just hovering above the 35th position.......What else can happen

[woundedyak]

woundedyak your warm on the person and low on speed.

Ahhhhhhhh,It must be Ward Burton then. Speed? Lets see. I will shoot high.172mph

[b-makk]

What else can happen

He could finish 43rd at Darlington. (I REALLY hope this doesn't turn out to be prophetic)

RGM f'n sucks right now!!!!!!!! It f'n wears on me watching a guy with this much talent run around a track trying to pick up 9 spots from cars that have crashed out!!!! With RG's amount of pure driving talent he should be battling for championships, not 35th in OP! What does it matter if he drives for somebody else and fights for a championship?? I just want to see him winning again and I don't see that happening driving for himself. Dang, if I could only smack RG and get that through his head!!!

[b-makk]

Some notables going home - POS (like that's a surprise), DJ, Riggs.

Riggs was the biggest threat to break into the top 35 and he's going home. That's good news for Schrader and Menard (who both made the show).

edit: Vickers also made the show - good to see. He'll probably score a top 15 but still be a mile away from the top 35.

[movindirt]

Ahhhhhhhh,It must be Ward Burton then. Speed? Lets see. I will shoot high.172mph

Ward Burton is correct but still slow:eek: but close.

RG sucked in qualifying. Didn't get to see much as SPEED was at commercial during his run. Schrader knocking POS out of the show was the best, GO KENNY!

[NIKAL]

Is it just me or is anyone else having trouble getting on NOL boards? I have been trying all day and I keep getting a server error.

[DEZERTBOUND]

Is it just me or is anyone else having trouble getting on NOL boards? I have been trying all day and I keep getting a server error.

Not just you....Some Hard-core posters are most likely getting very mean. Or reading the news over here...time to start checking the new lurkers.

[RGFan]

Ward Burton is correct but still slow:eek: but close.

RG sucked in qualifying. Didn't get to see much as SPEED was at commercial during his run. Schrader knocking POS out of the show was the best, GO KENNY!


Well, at least he actually qualified on time this week. It seems the last month or so he has been getting provisionals.

[kaw500]

Well, at least he actually qualified on time this week. It seems the last month or so he has been getting provisionals.

That to me was a real step in the right direction. One step at a time and now a top 25 or even a top 20 would be the next positive step.

[RGFan]

That to me was a real step in the right direction. One step at a time and now a top 25 or even a top 20 would be the next positive step.

You are right, but how much longer do we have to keep praying for top 25's. When will we be able to start expecting top 15's, other then at Road Courses....Then again.....If I knew that, I would be flying to RGM right now and giving them the 411 on what to do.......

[RGFan]

Looks like the race is postponed until tomorrow because of rain again

[b-makk]

I like night racing but it's tough to stay up for the finish out here on the east coast. I don't mind it being postponed but we need some night racing. Daytona and Richmond are the best night races. I can't wait until they start racing the road courses at night.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Do you think NOL shut down the message boards to get people to do the new blog thing comming up? Or the Memebrs area?

[Offspring]

Do you think NOL shut down the message boards to get people to do the new blog thing comming up? Or the Memebrs area?.

I been reading you guys saying you cant get on but I have had no trouble:confused:

[FlyHiFlyLo]

.

I been reading you guys saying you cant get on but I have had no trouble:confused:


Really? Maybe I need to clear my cookies.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Yup just cleared my cookies and right in... Thanks Off

[RGFan]

43rd place after 15 laps..........I will never stop being a Robby Gordon Fan, I will never jump ship, but I have always said, I am not a Nascar Fan, I am a Robby Gordon Fan, I think I am just going to stop watching Nascar racing all together. I just do not want to keep watching him fail.

[kaw500]

Yeah this just sucks I can't even find it on TV probably a good thing. Missed the lucky dog by 1 spot. I'm going riding, get the bike dialed in for next week. Man what's it gonna take? On the radio it sounds like they totally missed the set up.

[racer951]

Haha they were just showing Robby holding up the whole field with the blimp, then discussed it. This is sad...

[REEVESRacing]

yep. aaargh.

time to water the yard...

[kaw500]

That's enough for me the car is horrible RG on the radio "I can't even drive this thing I'm wrecking going this slow" & "I've hit the wall 5 times" Nothing but a guessing game goinig on. Time for a change??????? like has been said before if I knew I'd be a crew chief.

[RGFan]

I do not care what his plans are for RGM. I do not care who the sponsor is, they will not want to put half of a million dollars every week into a 30 something place team. I would not be suprised one bit if Jim Beam pulls out at seasons end. Unfortunately, I do not think that RGM has 18 months to figure out the COT. Times like this I wish he would just say hey, we tried, this sucks, I want to win. We will continue to run Busch cars out of RGM and grow it that way. I would much rather him do that then run the program into the ground like in 2000. THis is an instant replay of that, it really is........THis sucks, and we here for the most part are die hards, how many band wagon fans is he going to loose. That will hurt RGM in the wallet as well as far as selling t shirts and hats.:mad: There is no shame in trying something, trying your hardest and failing.

Message to Robby...................Robby, please do not do this anymore. We want you to win, Go race for a contender, Build a dominant Busch Team, Truck Team, ALS Team, Indy Car Team, all of the above.....But go drive in Cup for a contender......THis just sucks

[FlyHiFlyLo]

They better get Borland and send him testing everyday with PJ until they get this thing figured out.

[movindirt]

Well RGM will have almost 200 laps of testing today.

[NIKAL]

At least POS has an excuse why they suck. New Manufacture, New Teams and a looser for a owner. But whats RGM's excuse? This is the 3rd year for this team and they are not much better then the 1st year. At least when RG was not making races or when the motor's blew we had an excuse. New team, not in the top 35, Menard trying to develop motors but now he has Ford support, Yates power (Which I know has let him down once). This is easy for me to say but I think RGM needs to bite the bullet and start spending some real money to lure some real tallent to the team. Even if it means that Robby does not take home a pay check or something. If they cant get this one car team running consitant then there's not going to be a reason to build a big shop and attempt to build a second team. I almost think that when Robby talked to POS and gave him some advice and suggestions the POS cures rubbed onto Robby.

[RGFan]

Well RGM will have almost 200 laps of testing today.

Yeah, along with another 200 last week also:confused:

[randy s]

how long was childress racing flat?. i mean the time rg was driving and before that? i'm just curious. it seems like things go in cycles sometimes. yates sucks for awhile, then another team sucks. it's not hard to imagine why a new team might not suck for the first 2 or 3 years to me. rg has always been positive about things and perhaps a little over the top in terms of expectations of the way things fall in to place. as fans, it's hard not to be frustrated cause we know what the guy's capable of. we want so badly for him to do well we forget how competitive that series is. i think more more money for more talent would go a way to fix things and if he's not prepared to do that, then perhaps he needs to re-direct his future. but for now, he's still the man and talent wise one of the very best in the business and we need to hang tough and not bail. a podium in n.cal might just be what we all need. if he reads these threads , i'd tell him to keep working hard and not to lose that competitive edge he's always been known for. gas on.

[RGFan]

how long was childress racing flat?. i mean the time rg was driving and before that? i'm just curious. it seems like things go in cycles sometimes. yates sucks for awhile, then another team sucks. it's not hard to imagine why a new team might not suck for the first 2 or 3 years to me. rg has always been positive about things and perhaps a little over the top in terms of expectations of the way things fall in to place. as fans, it's hard not to be frustrated cause we know what the guy's capable of. we want so badly for him to do well we forget how competitive that series is. i think more more money for more talent would go a way to fix things and if he's not prepared to do that, then perhaps he needs to re-direct his future. but for now, he's still the man and talent wise one of the very best in the business and we need to hang tough and not bail. a podium in n.cal might just be what we all need. if he reads these threads , i'd tell him to keep working hard and not to lose that competitive edge he's always been known for. gas on.


Well said, even though I think he needs to drive for another team in Cup. How does it go, opinions are like as holes, everyone has one, me included

[RGFan]

Well, 32nd in points, 65 points out of 35th....Enough said

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Well, 32nd in points, 65 points out of 35th....Enough said


He is 130+ out of 36th but only 79 out of 25th... It's still really tight between 25th and 35th. They better get it together at Charlotte. They also better do more road course testing with this COT.

[cgaddis15]

On the bright side, when he does fall out of the top 35 you guys won't have to talk about him as much.

RG should liquidate and make himself a Freeagent, or even go backwords and try for a solid busch series team, but he will never go anywhere doing what he's doing at the highest level. Even JR who has more going for him then anyone, won't dare try to compete under his own banner.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

On the bright side, when he does fall out of the top 35 you guys won't have to talk about him as much.

RG should liquidate and make himself a Freeagent, or even go backwords and try for a solid busch series team, but he will never go anywhere doing what he's doing at the highest level. Even JR who has more going for him then anyone, won't dare try to compete under his own banner.


What are you talking about? He has a top 35 team in the highest level of motorsports.

[TRichards]

Robby has terrible timing and bad luck. The Yates deal put him far behind in COT testing, he is solid in speedway, road course programs and they worked hard in the 1.5 mile program. He hasn't done well in the COT. Next year they will probably revamp the qualifying rules like it was before so a top 35 year end finish will not be as valuable. I hope he gets it together and gets another team. His best shot is a DEI/Yates/RGM partnership. I think Rudd will retire again after this season. He has not been a player this year as they thought he was going to be. So Gilliand/Gordon/Truex/Menard would be the best we could hope for. I can't believe RG would go it alone another year like the last 2.

[dezracer9]

I have to vent!! I thought this POS COT they came out with was SUPPOSED to HELP the small teams and make the racing BETTER!! What a joke!! the only time there is a close finish is when they throw the caution with 15 or less to go. I dont think there has been a race yet with this "new" car that has had a finish that had more than 21 cars on the lead lap. BORING!! And i have had enough with the hendrick motorsports pos cot domination!! I WILL NOT WATCH ANOTHER RACE THIS YEAR UNTIL A DRIVER FROM ANOTHER TEAM WINS!!
I know RG has had a terrible time with his PILE but everytime I watch the end of a race and see a hendrick car win--it makes me puke!!
I welcome any and all opinions and would rather spend my weekends following Off-road racing than whats been going on with nascar!!

[cgaddis15]

What are you talking about? He has a top 35 team in the highest level of motorsports.

But for how much longer will RG be in the top 35 if the COT races keep going this way. And other then making the field how important is top 35 if you can't get/keep sponsors? I'm a huge RG fan too fly, but last year we were 28th in points after Darlington, just hate too see our guy go backwords.

[REEVESRacing]

more happening here that at the damb Race for RG fans....interesting comments all.

Was hoping the Jr. shake up could present opportunities for RG...yeah, he is a Maverick, but many of the great ones have been, and will be. He is a race car driver, not a poster boy or TV pitchman, you know.

Gas on.

[NicksTrix]

[QUOTE=NIKAL;283192]he has Ford support, Yates power (Which I know has let him down once).QUOTE]

the engine didn't let him down, they did it to themselves. when you have it taped off so much that you push the water out of it and don't come in to open it up and fill it back up you'll melt it down everytime. that is what he did. you can see it pushing water on camera on that behind the scenes show.

sorry nikal, just stating the facts.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Charlotte forward is the time of the year RG has a streak of good runs. If Dover blows we are in deep.

[dezertranger1600]

But for how much longer will RG be in the top 35 if the COT races keep going this way. And other then making the field how important is top 35 if you can't get/keep sponsors? I'm a huge RG fan too fly, but last year we were 28th in points after Darlington, just hate too see our guy go backwords.

If this streak keeps up,he'll be out of the top 35 after Charlotte.

This downward struggle for RGM has got to END.:mad:

[RGFan]

He is 130+ out of 36th but only 79 out of 25th... It's still really tight between 25th and 35th. They better get it together at Charlotte. They also better do more road course testing with this COT.


A friend told me that Hendrick has Max Papis over at VIR testing the COT 3 days a week prepping for Infineon.

[RGFan]

Charlotte forward is the time of the year RG has a streak of good runs. If Dover blows we are in deep.

Fly, I am glad you can be the one with the glass half full attitude, somebody needs to be.......Unfortunately, I am a realist, If RG has a plan B or C, I sure would like to see it. Unfortunately I have seen this all before and I saw the end result........Only this time, Richard Childress is getting ready to add a 4th ride with a name he has known for decades. I do not think it bothers me as much that they suck as much as it does knowing how much potential there was with the team this time last year. Watching them rise from the abyss of single car team top 35's to an actual top 20 contender at the 3/4 point of the season last year, only to watch them sink back donw into the abyss now. THey were almost there....... I think the move to Ford along with the COT was just to much......Unfortunately, the majority of sponsors have a very short memory, and top 40s are what the sponsors are getting now. It seems like they are back at year 1 again, and the fact is, they are not age wise, they are at year 3. I just do not know if they will be given enough time to figure things out......I sure hope so

[spalind]

The other thing I'm thinking is that if RG had stayed with Chevy and DEI engines would he not be in a more secure position now that Dale Jr. has left DEI?? They'd be (are) looking to hang on to whatever they can with Jr. gone...Its all Monday Morning Quarterbacking though and I'm not going to pretend that I could manage or interpret the situation better than his orginization can....truth be told we, he, and everyone knew him running as a successful owner/driver was a near impossibility--especially given how many sticks in the fire he has going all over the place...
Personally I'd rather see him dump Nascar and focus on the Baja's and Dakar, just coming back in as a ringer at the road courses--a la a Boris Said or the like (referring to the ringer designation) but we know RG is too all out balls to the wall to cut back like that...

[TRichards]

RG makes more money being a top 35 car owner than any off road/Busch series owner. To make the money though it's all in or nothing.

[spalind]

RG makes more money being a top 35 car owner than any off road/Busch series owner. To make the money though it's all in or nothing.

I don't know if thats true or false...Revenue wise sure...he probly has a lot more money coming in as Nextel Cup team from sponsors, TV money, souvenier sales, etc. than virtually anyone who only has a Busch team or only races offroad...but the thing is...he has to spend a ton more than those teams do...and with the car running unsponsored at a # of races this year, thats a bunch of money down the drain...I wouldn't be at all surprised if his cup team just a bit more than breakeven last year and is probly hemoragging money this year....

[RGFan]

I don't know if thats true or false...Revenue wise sure...he probly has a lot more money coming in as Nextel Cup team from sponsors, TV money, souvenier sales, etc. than virtually anyone who only has a Busch team or only races offroad...but the thing is...he has to spend a ton more than those teams do...and with the car running unsponsored at a # of races this year, thats a bunch of money down the drain...I wouldn't be at all surprised if his cup team just a bit more than breakeven last year and is probly hemoragging money this year....


He has already said that he has had to make some "adjustments" to his own pay to compensate for the lack of sponsorship.

[kaw500]

What can I say that has not already been said? It sucks and I feel bad for RG you know how bad he wants this. However, what little I listened to yesterday via the in car radio was troubling he and Greg were almost grasping at straws meanwhile HMS just blows by. I think RG & GI make a good team but they are just missing something wish I could help but I am just a dumb desert bike racer.

The true RG bandwagon may not be a happy group but we are loyal as hell.

[woundedyak]

I think he needs to sit down and avaluate his internal personal.Engineers,race directors,Maketing,ect...ect. At this point,I don't think he has a choice. He either needs to merge with another team and/or restructure his personal. Moving to ford was a pretty smart move on paper but,timing it with COT was just some bad luck. With only 4 Fords placing in the top 20 and getting beat by 3 of the 4 Toyotas this weekend.It doesn't look good. By the COT results this year. I don't think Ford is helping anyone but Roush. I'm sure RG knows this more then anyone.He is a smart business man/driver. The storm always has to get worst before it gets better.Gas on!

[RGFan]

Man, I am sick of all the negativity, especially my own. Does anyone have some good news to report...... If this is going to be another rebuild year, which logically it should be with moving to Ford and the COT, if there is a legitimate merger to make happen, I wish they would just do it now. RG is savy at business and driving, he is also loyal to those who are loyal to him. I hope the loyalty is not getting in the way of business. And as far as bringing in talent, how many people do you know of who would be willing to come to an underfunded single car team that is under performing........IMO, a merger of some sort would help make that happen easier.

[firedog]

I think that he needs to get someone in to one of his COT's and let them drive it and get some feed back. Like JR (since RG raced his BUSCH car) or maybe one of the Roush guys, someone like that so maybe they can find out what they are missing. Maybe that would help. I know it would be hard to find someone who is currently racing with contracts and stuff but it wouldn't hurt to try.

[Bricoop]

I think that he needs to get someone in to one of his COT's and let them drive it and get some feed back. Like JR (since RG raced his BUSCH car) or maybe one of the Roush guys, someone like that so maybe they can find out what they are missing. Maybe that would help. I know it would be hard to find someone who is currently racing with contracts and stuff but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Good Idea. Scott Speed did that awhile back in F3. Great move on his part, the car was slow not him. RYR and RGM need to get to talking again for sure.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I think that he needs to get someone in to one of his COT's and let them drive it and get some feed back. Like JR (since RG raced his BUSCH car) or maybe one of the Roush guys, someone like that so maybe they can find out what they are missing. Maybe that would help. I know it would be hard to find someone who is currently racing with contracts and stuff but it wouldn't hurt to try.


That is one of his big issues. He really needs at the very least a full-time single car Busch effort. He needs to find 2 or 3 1.5-2.5 million dollar sponsors to fund it. This will not be a profitable deal. It will mearly put in place an additonal Crew Cheif, one or two mechanics, pit crew and an additional driver that can be slated for testing. It builds his bull pin and creates depth within his team. like I said before, he needs to send a COT car out testing 3-4 days a week even with a thrashed body... Screw any aero feedback. They just need to figure out what happens with changes to shocks, bars, pressures, camber and springs.

[kaw500]

Screw any aero feedback. They just need to figure out what happens with changes to shocks, bars, pressures, camber and springs.

I'd go along with that, it appears those are the root of all evil on his COT.

[movindirt]

Okay I am in to test drive :D

[Samco Fab]

I think RG fan is a bit too depressing and quick to give up on RG's long term team buildup plan;) Give the guy a chance, it's not like all the other Ford teams are kickin butt out there also:D Nascar teams all seem to have thier ups and downs.

Think how bad Roush feels when they are gettin smoked and they have a gizillion $$ and sponsors, and good drivers and a well founded team.

From watching that show on Speed, it seems like loosing that shock guy has set them back a bunch, Erwin works hard and is a great crew chief, but can only fill in so much.

They need those 2 cars, so that when they loose a guy to injury or defection, they have the guy to cover from the second car, and they can test setup stuff twice as fast.

They have many great guys on the team, but not enough to really put the time and thought into it.

Robby is doing great overall as a guy with a tiny team often running with the MEGA teams. The last few weeks suck, but they will turn it around and gain positive momentum. This COT thing sucks for RGM for sure, but he is not the only one to feel the pain.

Reminds me of this weekend with F1, where Super Aguri scoring thier first championship point and beating the champs Renault. That is a turnaround, and RGM can do the same.

On another note, I am way excited that I got a Team Gordon Monster Dakar H3 shirt from one of his Dakar team guys. Awesome shirt!! My new favorite!!

[RGFan]

I have not given up on his long term plan, RGM has simply not executed it as planned. The #7 was supposed to be in the chase in year 3, stated by RG himself, and they are 32nd and falling. And while it may be easy for you to blame the loss the of the shock specialist for their woes, their problems started long before his departure. I want RGM to succeed, but further, I want RG to succeed. You can call him and RGM a success, but I believe and I bet if someone asked RG himself, he would admit that this season has not come anywhere close to what he or the team was expecting. I can not imagine a time or a place ever when RG would consider any top 40 finishes or a 32nd place standing in the overall points a success. That is why I love RG, he is a hard charger and is not one of those drivers who just likes to run laps and collect a paycheck, he wants to win, always and is upset with anything less. I want RG and RGM to succeed as much as anyone, but the simple fact of the matter is they are not. And right now at least do not see any light at the end of the tunnel. Do not confuse that as giving up on him. Down on the situation, hell yes I am, I think any real RG fan would be, but given up, never, just frustrated.
Everyone has opinions here, whether it be on his performance, lack of performance, to own a team or not to own a team..........While we may not all agree, sharing these thoughts with other passionate RG fans is what makes it fun to post here most of the time, and to vent when things are going the way that they are now........Gas On......... Joe

[movindirt]

Okay trival time:

1. Who holds the record for fastest around Darlington?

2. What is the fastest speed (avg.)?

Answers:

1. Ward Burton (correctly answered by woundedyak)

2. 173 mph (woundedyak almost had it with his seconded guess of 172)

[RGFan]

I'd go along with that, it appears those are the root of all evil on his COT.

I will third that, aero is equal for all, the motors are strong. Setup and chasis/suspension geometry while a broad and large ranging area are the only issues remaining. Greenville Pickens and Kentucky are two very different tracks. Hire a driver, lets say PJ Jones, pay him $50,000 for a month and let him drive drive drive. But that takes staff away from the shop, and a truck........Resources that are more than likely needed elsewhere. We all have ideas for solutions, it is easy to be a monday morning QB, I am more guilty then most around here of that. Hopefully they can get some kind of regular testing program going just so the staff can get a handle on what this car will do and how it will perform when they make certian adjustments...

[randy s]

it's hard for me to understand why any big league race team would only have one dedicated shock man. betcha the other teams have more than one guy who's checked out on shocks and shock dyno.i could be wrong.but i doubt it.

[movindirt]

$50,000 for a month of driving? Why? What is so special about PJ other then his father who is a questionable driver himself. I am sure Manny Esquerra is still wondering why Ford left him (a winning driver) and put Parnelli in the seat who did nothing but lose.

Sorry about the rant but there are just way to many race drivers out there that should not be allowed to drive on city streets let alone get behind the wheel of a race car.

[RGFan]

$50,000 for a month of driving? Why? What is so special about PJ other then his father who is a questionable driver himself. I am sure Manny Esquerra is still wondering why Ford left him (a winning driver) and put Parnelli in the seat who did nothing but lose.

Sorry about the rant but there are just way to many race drivers out there that should not be allowed to drive on city streets let alone get behind the wheel of a race car.

I could be off on that, I have no idea how much they pay for someone who can give legit input, my point is with all due respect to Manny, you can not just throw anyone in one fo those cars. Pj is a friend of Robby's, and he has legit experience. I do not see Robby getting Tony Stewart to drop his schedule for the next month to test for him, I think he is busy, as all of the top drivers are. You figure that the minimum a Cup Driver is making is about 1 million a year. Split that in half for a Busch Driver roughly.........1 months time........$50,000, to test , could be less, but probably not to much, that was how I came up with that. This problem is not going to be fixed with 3 or 4 tests. I would not want someone who has been driving Super Trucks at Irwindale testing set ups for my multi million dollar Nascar team. You will not be able to pay someone $10,000 to get good info and test solid for one month with a real professional stock car driver used to driving at that level, the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. My point was, it would be nice to have someone testing every day, getting hours on the chassis.

And as for your statement about Parnelli doing nothing but losing, no disrespect bro, but get off of the crack pipe. He was the Indy 500 ROY in 61, pole winner in 62 and 63, won the Indy 500 in 63 when it meant something. He has 6 Indy Car wins, 4 Nascar Wins, and has won the Baja 1000 and Baja 500. I personally would be embarrased questioning Parnelli Jones and his driving skills. The guy is a racing legend

[movindirt]

I could be off on that, I have no idea how much they pay for someone who can give legit input, my point is with all due respect to Manny, you can not just throw anyone in one fo those cars. Pj is a friend of Robby's, and he has legit experience. I do not see Robby getting Tony Stewart to drop his schedule for the next month to test for him, I think he is busy, as all of the top drivers are. You figure that the minimum a Cup Driver is making is about 1 million a year. Split that in half for a Busch Driver roughly.........1 months time........$50,000, to test , could be less, but probably not to much, that was how I came up with that. This problem is not going to be fixed with 3 or 4 tests. I would not want someone who has been driving Super Trucks at Irwindale testing set ups for my multi million dollar Nascar team. You will not be able to pay someone $10,000 to get good info and test solid for one month with a real professional stock car driver used to driving at that level, the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. My point was, it would be nice to have someone testing every day, getting hours on the chassis.

And as for your statement about Parnelli doing nothing but losing, no disrespect bro, but get off of the crack pipe. He was the Indy 500 ROY in 61, pole winner in 62 and 63, won the Indy 500 in 63. He has 6 Indy Car wins, 4 Nascar Wins, and has won the Baja 1000 and Baja 500. I personally would be embarrased questioning Parnelli Jones and his driving skills. The guy is a racing legend

Yeah I am sure in the 60's Parnelli was up agaisnt the best ever. Heck NASCAR is just now starting to get to the point were all 43 guys on the track deserve to be there based on talent. Being the fastest rich guy does not make one the best or a legend in my book. I guess we just don't see eye to eye on this. Its all good cause it isn't going to change anything.

And I would hope any race driver worth a damn could test any car no matter there main car of choice. If a driver can't figure out what is not working then I would recommend a different line of work. The hard part in testing for someone else is driving they way the do to get feedback that will benifit the team.

I hope RG can get this all figured out.

P.S. I broke my crack pipe last week:( maybe you could send me your spare!:eek: :D

Honestly tell me Parnelli did not come in and kill the Motocraft 7 team?

[RGFan]

Yeah I am sure in the 60's Parnelli was up agaisnt the best ever. Heck NASCAR is just now starting to get to the point were all 43 guys on the track deserve to be there based on talent. Being the fastest rich guy does not make one the best or a legend in my book. I guess we just don't see eye to eye on this. Its all good cause it isn't going to change anything.

And I would hope any race driver worth a damn could test any car no matter there main car of choice. If a driver can't figure out what is not working then I would recommend a different line of work. The hard part in testing for someone else is driving they way the do to get feedback that will benifit the team.

I hope RG can get this all figured out.

P.S. I broke my crack pipe last week:( maybe you could send me your spare!:eek: :D

Honestly tell me Parnelli did not come in and kill the Motocraft 7 team?


I hope you know I was kidding about the crack pipe:D , But in 63, Parnelli was racing against the likes of Foyt, Unser, Rutherford, Sacs, Gurney, not really any slackers there if you ask me. That being said, I can not say anything about him and the Motorcraft team, I just do not have any info on that. Regardless, RG needs some help, and while someone who drives for a living should be able to get into anything and run it, you and I both know that is just no the case.

[movindirt]

I also was joking. Its all good.