Going from Miracle Mile to Monster Mile Fast Laps

by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

3 Responses to “Going from Miracle Mile to Monster Mile Fast Laps”

1. Luke on September 17th, 2007 11:48 am

   *Puts up his dukes*

   Here ya go, Spanky.

   1) Sure, why not? The only one holding it back is Teresa, who already said Regan Smith will test the #8 at Atlanta. Good enough. Let the good times roll.

   Why? It’s a COT test, right? And are we running any 1.5 mile tracks with the COT this year? Nope. Not until Las Vegas next spring.

   So it doesn’t have any real bearing on anything this season, so what could it hurt?

   Not saying they would, but do you think the drivers moving on are going to give a test session which has no bearing on their current team, and is only grabbing data for 2008?

   2) Well, it could be, or it might not be. It might be a just a way to get the questions about it off his back, while he concentrates on the Chase.

   Considering there are two more seasons on his contract, I don’t see the concern.

   He may very well want to scope out the competitiveness of the switch, so may hold out on an extension until 2009. Who knows. But yeah, I’m sure GM will be sticking their fingers into the pie somewhere along the line.

   3) They all have a chance. Some just better than others. The question is, can they beat the competition.

   I don’t think this makes Bowyer a solid contender, but he sure as hell let the competition know he wasn’t screwing around, and that his effort was going to be solid.

   That being the case, unless Gordon has a horrific problem, it’s still his to lose.

   Notice how he wasn’t really out of the top spot? He was still tops after Richmond. Then the points reset, and after NHIS he’s back up there like nothing really happened.

   Johnson will be strong, yes, but Gordon’s been a tick stronger all year long. It’ll be close, though. And Bowyer could very well head into Miami with at least a mathematical shot at it.

   4) Hell NO.

   Kentucky can take their “desires” and stick it.

   Nothing against the fans there, but their “track” representatives have done more harm than good.

   Their lawsuit has no basis, and notice how they keep changing it? Hmmm…

   If I were employed down in Florida, I’d be moving the Grand National and Truck races to Iowa, and leave those “owners” with something to think about.

   You don’t see Nashville suing. They have a nice facility, but even they know that you just can build a track and expect Cup to show up. It don’t work like that. Well, unless you’re ISC or SMI, and can move a date around if you really want to.

2. Steve on September 19th, 2007 6:15 am

   1– I acan’t see any scenerio that would allow drivers, under contract to one team, driver for another during test sessions. Every race team has an insurance policy on their driver to insure performance for that team. Even if the teams were tosay okay; in case of injury, the teams would not be able to collect on the non-performance of their driver.

   2–Stewart knows that ANYTHING he were to say to the media, would get turned around, by someone. He wants to win this championship more than anything. Toyotas will be there next year and if he is fighting for a championship then with wins under his belt, he won’t give a damn what he’s driving.

   3– Nobody in there right mind our outside the Bowyer family thought Clint would win the championship and I don’t see anyway it could happen. There is too much great competition for a “dark horse” to ever win the Cup again. The days of the Alan Kulwickis of the world are gone forever.

   4– The Bahre family can and may sell their racetrack to whomever they want. But for NASCAR to allow the sale for the sole purpose of moving race dates is wrong. It was wrong when North Wilksboro and Rockingham where done away with by the same tactics and it is wrong now. If NASCAR wants tohit new markets then take a serious look at all the tracks with two races and make decisions by who many butts they put in their seats.

3. Charlie on September 20th, 2007 3:15 pm

   Spanky? Since when did you Texas cowboy types go all kinky on us conservative, NASCAR types? Whatever buckeroo.

   1. I guess if a team was dumb enough to leave that possiblity as a loop hole in their contract with a driver, it would be OK with me. Drivers drive for competing organizations in series other than Cup and truck don’t they? What’s the difference?

   2. I beleive this is a case of Stewart being a good businessman. Let the bidding war - that is sure to develope - come. I don’t think that Tony ever has a problem focusing on winning a race. He’s all about winning. I am curious to see if the upcoming bidding between Stewart, Chevy and Toyota/JGR, spreads to his sprint and midget teams as well.

   3. Bowyer is 4th in the Chase points now, he has a win and nobody else does and he drives a Chevy. Hell yes he is a contender. Sunday was his first win - but not his first strong run. He has been up front all year. I think the champ will need 3 wins. Clint has one.

   4. Should they be allowed? Legally yes. But I don’t think that NASCAR should be forced to allow a date to be switched. NASCAR should control where the races are run. It’s a “for the good of the game” question. You can argue all you want about some of the goofy things that N-car sometimes does. But the France family got this thing to where it is today. Not a bad job I say.

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