No love for Texas?

[michael_loomis]

surprised I dont see a Texas thread already.. Am I blind? lol

RG 3rd in Nationwide HH. only 2 laps in though

[Combo]

Didn't even realize practice was today. What happened in the first practice?

[michael_loomis]

I wish I knew!?

Foxsports is showing live HH... NOL is the biggest waste of a website EVER. doesnt even mention 1 thing about any practice today.

WHAT A JOKE

[Bricoop]

RG 5th fastest in Nationwide HH.

And currently 19th in Cup practice.(and 4th best avg.)

[Tristar Racing]

Robby looks fast in Busch (still refuse the Nationwide reference), hopefully he learns something for the cup car. Doubt much will transfer due to the COT though...

[Ryan_P]

NASCAR's website is a disgrace.

And props to Steven Wallace. I'd like to see more of that kid up front.

[michael_loomis]

RG 5th fastest in Nationwide HH.

And currently 19th in Cup practice.(and 4th best avg.)

Bri where did you see that?

Fox still shows him 3rd in Nationwide HH, 4th Jr..
5th Wallace.

Nothing about Cup on either site. wow.

[bajafox]

Agreed, NOL sucks.

About Texas, only two things come from there...and one of them doesn't seem to be fast Cup times by RG

I'm hoping for a top 15 this weekend and slowly crawl back into the top 20 in points

[Bricoop]

Bri where did you see that?

Fox still shows him 3rd in Nationwide HH, 4th Jr..
5th Wallace.

Nothing about Cup on either site. wow.


(I f'ed up, the cup prac. isn't until tomorrow. and I was looking at N'wide prac. 1 speeds.)

here:

http://www.nascar.com/races/bg/2008/7/data/practice1_speeds.html

[michael_loomis]

Hey.. its ok.. it takes a bigger man to admit he was wrong.. HAHA

ok.. so am I just not looking for practice speeds in the right spot? you'd think they'd be obvious.

[Combo]

Is it me or does it rain every track nascar visits? I guess Phoenix is going to get rain next week!!!!

[Chris Tobin]

10 mins into Cup practice and RG is only driver who hasn't turned a lap?!?!?!?!?!?:confused:

[spalind]

There ya go...2 laps and 28th so far...

[Chris Tobin]

14 min and RG finally on track 28th fast right now...

[spalind]

Only ran two laps and seems to have parked it...everyone else has run a lot more...

[Chris Tobin]

Only ran two laps and seems to have parked it...everyone else has run a lot more...

He's up to 4 laps now but still down in 35th place... I wonder whats going on???:confused:

[SunsetCliffsMocos]

He's up to 4 laps now but still down in 35th place... I wonder whats going on???:confused:

40th now? WTF?:confused:

[woundedyak]

I don't understand they "Alliance" between RG and GER. It looks like to me that RG just saves GER butt with sponsors when the #10 doesn't make the race. With the way RG has been running,I don't think they are sharing data.

[Chris Tobin]

it seems like practice is over with DR on top in the 44

RG is 42nd

[Chris Tobin]

I don't understand they "Alliance" between RG and GER. It looks like to me that RG just saves GER butt with sponsors when the #10 doesn't make the race. With the way RG has been running,I don't think they are sharing data.

Maybe, it is a "driving style" thing... Really who else in Cup has a similar driving style to RG. The one that I would think would be closest is Greg Biffle...

[RGFan]

Maybe no qualifying runs were made, alot of those times were with qualifying runs. If RG is not happy with the car, you know they were thrashing on it thru the practice. Especially with the 5th fastest speed in the Nationwide practice. Just might be a better race on Saturday.

[RGFan]

Why isn't RG doing the Prelude Race that Tony Stewart puts on at the dirt track? I would think that this would be the perfect kind of race for RG to get involved in.

[b-makk]

Maybe no qualifying runs were made, alot of those times were with qualifying runs. If RG is not happy with the car, you know they were thrashing on it thru the practice. Especially with the 5th fastest speed in the Nationwide practice. Just might be a better race on Saturday.

I think you posted this the past 6 weeks. Don't you ever give up hope? ...even after he consistently qualifies 42nd? he only qualifies well when it rains

[RGFan]

I think you posted this the past 6 weeks. Don't you ever give up hope? ...even after he consistently qualifies 42nd? he only qualifies well when it rains

First of all, I have not posted in over a week as I have been out of town and have missed the past few races..........Second of all, since when has he constantly qualified 42nd......... The last I checked, he joined up with a new team with a new manufacturer and new power just 6 races ago. Cut the guy some slack. When have you ever seen any team with as much change as RG has had kick arse right out of the box.....Answer; you have not. Cut the team some slack. If you think you can do it any better, stop talking and start racing

[b-makk]

you don't get jokes?

[RGFan]

I am not angry....All is good;) Just thought you were calling me out and I simply responded......You know, that happens around here from time to time

[spalind]

Nationwide qualifying was rained out so RG will start 8th on Saturday in that series...

[bajafox]

I was wondering why Fox Trax wasn't updating so I went over to read on the qualifying blog and they said McDowell lost control of his car, hit the wall and flipped it 9 times...it says he walked away safely

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/cup/foxTrax

[randy s]

michael mcdowell [pos racing] crashed during qualifying as bad as you can crash and still live. unbelievable. he's a lucky man.

[randy s]

definately scattered his chickens.

[woundedyak]

I can't wait to see how many G's he hit that wall with. It's amazing,it didn't even knock him out.

[NIKAL]

Thank God he was ok and walked away from a crash like that. You have to wonder is he was in the old car would he have been so lucky. You would have to think the COT contributed to his safety and ability to walk away from that crash.

[RGFan]

What a wreck!!!!! I am sure the car helped, but during the replay, you can see the safer wall actually flex, as designed. I am sure he will be a sore puppy come tomorrow

[DanDan]

definately scattered his chickens.

:D :D :D

That was a hard hit. The car just hooked into the SAFER headon.

[NIKAL]

NOL has the video up. Very scary!

[DanDan]

WOW 165mph to 0mph in one foot.

[RGFan]

Nice Run for RG in Qualifying, ahead of some big names....J. GOrdon, Stewart, 8th out of 24

[DanDan]

RG 8th quick right now with 23 down.

[Tristar Racing]

Ended up 15th. Good run, near the front and on the inside. I think its neat that other than the 00 car, all the slowest cars went home. Everyone complains when the top 35 rule screws people over, well Im pointing out that in this case it didnt.

Oh wait, forgot about the DNFs of the 38 and 41. Oh well, almost...

[JRod]

This wreck was unreal to watch.... almost as unreal as watching the #7 reel of a 15th position q'ing run... so who qualified the car for Robby? LOL!

YouTube - NASCAR Michael McDowell Crash in Texas Qualifying

[Ryno]

Wow. That hurt. McDowell took it like a champ. Sorry to see a wreck, glad to see a POS car torn to shambles. RG starts 15th. Let's hope he keeps it there all day.

[spalind]

15th!?! My god...he may actually stay on the lead lap for 1/2 the race now!!!:D

[RGFan]

15th!?! My god...he may actually stay on the lead lap for 1/2 the race now!!!:D

And 5th fastest in Nationwide practice, starting 8th.........May just be a good weekend for RG. Lets hope the momentum carries over to Europe in a couple of weeks.

[michael_loomis]

Good effort RGM. Kinda makes you wonder.. after that incredible wreck (props to NASCAR for there safety efforts btw) if the other drivers, you know what shrivelled up.. and Robby "LA Gangsters are worse than Al Queda" Gordon, just kept his foot in it?

[PMAZ7]

This wreck was unreal to watch.... almost as unreal as watching the #7 reel of a 15th position q'ing run... so who qualified the car for Robby? LOL!

YouTube - NASCAR Michael McDowell Crash in Texas Qualifying (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ubWM_WMZytg)

That's actually a really good friend of mine. I'm glad to see that Michael was ok after that ride... He's had a tough two weeks so far in his Cup career. First the wrath of Burton, then the wrath of the safer-barrier.

[b-makk]

I am not angry....All is good;) Just thought you were calling me out and I simply responded......You know, that happens around here from time to time

You must have been on the road too long if you forgot you can't take me seriously.

15th??!!?!?! Where did that come from?

Speed is replaying qualifying now so I just watched McDowell with DW, LM, MJ calling it......WOW!!

I can't believe what a cocky idiot JJ yeley is. He sucks and he's still full of himself. The guy doesn't deserve a seat in the truck series. They interviewed him in qualifying ...what a disaster.

[JRod]

That's actually a really good friend of mine. I'm glad to see that Michael was ok after that ride... He's had a tough two weeks so far in his Cup career. First the wrath of Burton, then the wrath of the safer-barrier.

Very glad to see he is okay (although when the adrenaline wears off, he'll be sore), and glad to see Phoenix getting some representation.... even if it is driving for POS...

[RGFan]

Sounds like Kyle Petty did not make the decision to not drive this weekend. Seems that Daddy and Robby Loomis sat him down. He is even coming out and saying that if he did not have a place at Petty, he would be willing to drive for another team.

Petty, Loomis differ on who made call for McCumbee; Petty Would Consider Driving for Another Team: Kyle Petty isn't happy about the decision to replace him with rookie Chad McCumbee at Texas. He made it clear on Friday that it was not his decision to step aside even though Robbie Loomis, the vice president of competition at Petty Enterprises, said it was. "I don't care what he said,'' Petty said. "I said it wasn't. Why would I get out of a car?'' Petty would not say who made the decision, whether it was Loomis or his father, seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty. He referred to the decision-maker only as "they.'' "Quite frankly, Kyle is the one that came up with the idea,'' said Loomis, adding Petty will be back in the car next week at Phoenix. "On Monday, Kyle and Richard came to the shop and talked to me and said, 'Hey, I know you're trying to strengthening this team up. Let's try to leave as much as that intact as you can right now and let's put Chad in there and give him a chance.''' That didn't mesh with Petty's story. "I told them I'll do whatever it takes to make this team better,'' he said. "They felt in order to make this team better was me being out of the car and somebody else being in it. If that's the way they feel then that's their option because they run the place. "Do I think I'm the problem?'' he said. "No, I don't think I'm the problem, but I'm pretty arrogant on that side…I think we have problems, but I don't think Kyle Petty is the problem.''(ESPN.com)
AND: Kyle Petty said he would consider driving for a different organization if "there's not a place for me here" at Petty Enterprises. The 47-year-old veteran replied "Oh, yeah" without hesitation when asked Friday afternoon whether a new race team could be in his future if it is determined that Petty Enterprises wants to go in a different direction. "Even though you think I make a living running my mouth, I try to make a living driving," he said. "And if there's no place for me here, then you'd have to go someplace else." Petty emphasized that such a move would not be made until his current team has chosen the direction it will take. Therefore, a change is not imminent. (SceneDaily.com)(4-5-2008) Comment here

[RGFan]

Looks like RG got some help from GEM for qualifying....Hopefully the help continues into the race

ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge Charger) Qualified 15th

"I'm pretty happy with that lap to be honest with you. It was a good run for the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge Charger. We weren't very good in practice, but we were able to share some information with Kasey (Kahne) and we both jumped up. Thanks to Elliott (Sadler) and Patrick (Carpentier), they had some good cars in qualifying trim and we adapted and that worked out for us."

[woundedyak]

Looks like RG got some help from GEM for qualifying....Hopefully the help continues into the race

ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge Charger) Qualified 15th

"I'm pretty happy with that lap to be honest with you. It was a good run for the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge Charger. We weren't very good in practice, but we were able to share some information with Kasey (Kahne) and we both jumped up. Thanks to Elliott (Sadler) and Patrick (Carpentier), they had some good cars in qualifying trim and we adapted and that worked out for us."

That's what I'm talking about. KK is really fast at this track. PC has alot of laps logged in at this track and Sadler....Uh.......Well.....Anyways,RG usually places were he qualifies. So lets hope for a 10 gallon hat in Busch and a top ten in cup!

[RGFan]

That's what I'm talking about. KK is really fast at this track. PC has alot of laps logged in at this track and Sadler....Uh.......Well.....Anyways,RG usually places were he qualifies. So lets hope for a 10 gallon hat in Busch and a top ten in cup!

He sure seems fast in the Busch....uh I mean Nationwide Car:o

[DanDan]

He sure seems fast in the Busch....uh I mean Nationwide Car:o

OK, Thats it. Both you guys put $1 in the jar. :D

[RGFan]

LOL!!! RG has only ran 5 laps but he is top 15 for lap averages with cars with atleast 5 laps in happy hour practice, and he is 19th quick so far

[b-makk]

Sounds like Kyle Petty did not make the decision to not drive this weekend. Seems that Daddy and Robby Loomis sat him down. He is even coming out and saying that if he did not have a place at Petty, he would be willing to drive for another team.

Sure he might drive for another team .....as a test driver! He should have been out of Cup a long time ago

[michael_loomis]

Top 20 for RG in the Bu..errr Nationwide race.. so so.. but could been worse, anyone know what happened the the practice car? lol

all but the top 10 (or so) finished atleast a lap down, crazy..

I have a feeling the COT race will be much different as far as who ran fast today.

[RGFan]

Top 20 for RG in the Bu..errr Nationwide race.. so so.. but could been worse, anyone know what happened the the practice car? lol

all but the top 10 (or so) finished atleast a lap down, crazy..

I have a feeling the COT race will be much different as far as who ran fast today.

Heard he had a brake problem with the nationwide car from the start that became progressively worse.

[REEVESRacing]

GO RG.

Can anyone point us to the thread with the Nascar H&N Restraint video imbed (can't find it now?) that was posted on RDC Friday after the McDowell crash? Amazing example of value or restraints?

[Bricoop]

JG is dropping like a rock.

[DanDan]

POS spins! What a bummer. :D Hopefully RG gets something done to his car. He had fallen back to ~33d.

[RGFan]

Yeah, RG scrubbed the wall a few laps before........Made a wedge and track bar adjustment and pulled out the right front fender. Even after that though, RG flew by the Rainbow Warrior

[RGFan]

So far, no good, falling like a brick, already 17 secs behind leader......He just said it is driveable now......Hope he is right, the times say otherwise

[RGFan]

Seems like he is picking up, and the others are falling off as well, running times competetive with Juantoya in 20th

[RGFan]

Jesus.........26 second off the leader.......32nd, so much for a great weekend.

[kaw500]

I have been taking a NASCAR break for awhile, not much changes. Seems like the 7 got better after that pit.

[RGFan]

His gap from the leader tells otherwise......He sounds more optimistic though. Wants the car tighter in and more loose off

[RGFan]

Getting ready to go a lap down, just a couple of seconds away

[RGFan]

GOing a lap down now........Green flag pit stops beginning

[RGFan]

RG still tight on entry, everybody stays on the bottom, he shoots towards the top

[RGFan]

Sadler having ignition issues........Much worse day then RG....Get ready for a yellow, debris in turn , spotter sqwaking on the radio about it. RG needs it bad...Going from to tight to to loose entering the corner

[RGFan]

They just can not get a handle on the car, either it is not the great equalizer, or maybe RG is not going to adjust to it.....Quiet around here today

[RGFan]

Rainbow Warrior screwed by a leperchaun

[DanDan]

Yeah. Pretty quiet. Hopefully RG gets a handle pretty soon. He seems better on long runs.

[RGFan]

RG just ran his fastest lap of the day

[woundedyak]

Uh-Oh! The 17 leads after pits. say GOOD BY!

[DanDan]

I find it a little odd that four teams who share information can be so different. JJ and Jr up front, CM struggling, and JG in the garage changing everything.

[RGFan]

How about GEM...Kahne doing great, the other three suck. RG is getting worse, 4mph off the guys around him.....Going to the garage, will check in later.

[RGFan]

In the wall

[kaw500]

In the wall

I saw that and just kept walking by the TV but now I see he is still only one lap down. 17 will get him shortly. Hard to watch, easier to the mow the lawn.

[DanDan]

JJY is a pretty stand up guy. When asked why he spun, he replied that he ran out of talent. Nice to hear a guy tell the truth instead of making excuses.

[RGFan]

RG just went 3 laps down......Good day to build shelves in the garage and get the boat out in the driveway

[michael_loomis]

RGF , as far as brakes in the Nationwide car... earlier today they said they dont use brakes at TX much..

how come Edwards and Johnsons cars run so dog legged?? hmmm

[woundedyak]

Geeeezzzzus,only 11 cars on the lead lap...........Boring

[RGFan]

RGF , as far as brakes in the Nationwide car... earlier today they said they dont use brakes at TX much..

how come Edwards and Johnsons cars run so dog legged?? hmmm

Just telling what Rg's and the #22's reason was for having problems yesterday.....And if you watched any of the telemetry today, those guys are slowing down 45-50 mph going into turns 1 and 3..Some of that slowdown could be attributed to letting off of the gas, but not all of it. If you watched the race yesterday, he was slowing down earlier then others going into the turns;)

[RGFan]

28th in driver points and 30th in owner points....They better change things quickly

[Offspring]

28th in driver points and 30th in owner points....They better change things quickly

Operation is not worth as much when it drops out of T35.

[Chris Tobin]

how come Edwards and Johnsons cars run so dog legged?? hmmm

I noticed that in the head on shots of JJs car driving down pit road! It was dogging quite a bit, I wonder if that is the key to the COT???

[Chris Tobin]

Geeeezzzzus,only 11 cars on the lead lap...........Boring

What was the deal with that??? The majority of the field was multiple laps down. This seems to be one of the results of COT racing where a handful of cars are good and the rest of the field is junk and LAPS down the entire day... I hope the teams get a handle on it soon...:confused:

[RGFan]

Operation is not worth as much when it drops out of T35.

DIng Ding Ding!!!! Very True

[bajafox]

I spent the entire day at Sea World, got my silver pass a few weeks ago and have gone 3 times since

Checked the updates on my cell phone, saw that my pick won:)

[Chris Tobin]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 12 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.

The No. 12 car driven by Ryan Newman failed postrace inspection Sunday as the right-rear side of the vehicle did not match the height sticks. As a result, he was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 12.8.1C (right rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specification; too high in post race inspection) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book.
Newman and car owner Roger Penske have been penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively. Crew chief Roy McCauley has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

25 points seems pretty low compared to the last few penalties. Why do you think they only did 25?

[b-makk]

because they're idiots!