Ah yes, 2009 is already here in my mind as photos are starting to appear of 2009 Rides. First up Josh Richards:
http://www.joshrichards.com/2009%20Photos/2009_photo_page.htm
I will mostly be posting links out of respect for photographers work and also to not lag the page. I'll keep adding new rides as they become available
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
My favorite time of the year
This is my favorite time of the year. Not so much for the holidays, or even the cold weather (which I hate). I love this time of year for all the great rumors and other stories that come out when everyone is locked up in their houses.
Now some of these stories are true. As a HUGE Brady Smith fan, it pains me to see Amsoil walk away from the 2 car. Hopefully all goes well for "the Prodigy" and he is able to find some kind of suitable sponsor. Many people on various sites want to tear Brady down for whatever reason. But the deuce will be back, better than ever. Brady has expressed an interest in running for the World of Outlaws Late Model Rookie of the Year in 2009. Have to see what the rule makers say on that.
Shannon Babb is no longer with Clint Bowyer Racing, in favor of starting his own team through a partnership with Sheltra Motorsports. This one kind of surprised me, but the more I hear about Babb the more it makes sense. Shannon seems to be a very humble, down to earth person, who enjoys being home, or at least somewhere close to Moweaqua, IL. It sounds like CBR was looking for a driver to go all over creation chasing a points title. **Rumors have Dale McDowell in the CBR car in 2009**
The other big story that has been confirmed to be true is Wes Steidinger closing up shop. I personally have only seen Steidinger race a few times, but by all accounts he is a great driver, and also a great person. The press release states a reason for the closing as: “There are several factors but the two major ones are the current state of the economy, spending more time and looking out for the well being of my family. I would love to keep racing, it's in my blood hopefully a situation presents itself and someone will give me a chance to continue my career! We just can't do it with our budget anymore.” Many times we fans can forget that these racers are men with families and responsibilities outside the realm of stock car racing. I think it is a true sign of Wes Steidinger the man to be able to walk away from a passion for the betterment of his family. Wes, best of luck, and hope to see you elbows up on the wheel again someday.
True stories are one thing, but the rumors always seem to put a smile on my face. They always range from "driver a to the Nationwide series," or "driver b is teaming up with driver c." So far the ones I have been enjoying most are the Bloomquist to asphalt rumors...again. The aforementioned McDowell to CBR, John Gill in the Mastersbilt house car, Jimmy Owens to Rocket. Always fun, and 99% of the time completely false. Well, at least the races at Golden Isle are getting close, so we can see all the new looks for 2009, and get something else to talk about.
Now some of these stories are true. As a HUGE Brady Smith fan, it pains me to see Amsoil walk away from the 2 car. Hopefully all goes well for "the Prodigy" and he is able to find some kind of suitable sponsor. Many people on various sites want to tear Brady down for whatever reason. But the deuce will be back, better than ever. Brady has expressed an interest in running for the World of Outlaws Late Model Rookie of the Year in 2009. Have to see what the rule makers say on that.
Shannon Babb is no longer with Clint Bowyer Racing, in favor of starting his own team through a partnership with Sheltra Motorsports. This one kind of surprised me, but the more I hear about Babb the more it makes sense. Shannon seems to be a very humble, down to earth person, who enjoys being home, or at least somewhere close to Moweaqua, IL. It sounds like CBR was looking for a driver to go all over creation chasing a points title. **Rumors have Dale McDowell in the CBR car in 2009**
The other big story that has been confirmed to be true is Wes Steidinger closing up shop. I personally have only seen Steidinger race a few times, but by all accounts he is a great driver, and also a great person. The press release states a reason for the closing as: “There are several factors but the two major ones are the current state of the economy, spending more time and looking out for the well being of my family. I would love to keep racing, it's in my blood hopefully a situation presents itself and someone will give me a chance to continue my career! We just can't do it with our budget anymore.” Many times we fans can forget that these racers are men with families and responsibilities outside the realm of stock car racing. I think it is a true sign of Wes Steidinger the man to be able to walk away from a passion for the betterment of his family. Wes, best of luck, and hope to see you elbows up on the wheel again someday.
True stories are one thing, but the rumors always seem to put a smile on my face. They always range from "driver a to the Nationwide series," or "driver b is teaming up with driver c." So far the ones I have been enjoying most are the Bloomquist to asphalt rumors...again. The aforementioned McDowell to CBR, John Gill in the Mastersbilt house car, Jimmy Owens to Rocket. Always fun, and 99% of the time completely false. Well, at least the races at Golden Isle are getting close, so we can see all the new looks for 2009, and get something else to talk about.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Bristol
So apparently I am going to Bristol....and strangely I am rather apathetic about it. Even though I'm not into the Cup Series as hardcore as I used to be, its still Bristol right??
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Three Peat???
Very rarely on this blog will I write about the Sprint Cup Series. But being as how this is my first, and the racing season is pretty well wrapped up, here goes nothing. Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson on his record tying third straight NSCS Championship. I think NSCS is right…hell, I still call it Winston Cup most of the time. But something about this “third straight” championship bothers me. All of these numbers from nascar.com
2008 classic points
1) #99-Carl Edwards 5236 [9 wins]
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5220 -16 [7 wins]
2007
1) #24-Jeff Gordon 5455 [6 wins]
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5102 -353 [10 wins]
2006
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5158 [5 wins]
2) #17-Matt Kenseth 5154 -4 [4 wins]
Now I am fully aware that this is the system we have, and everyone knew the rules coming into the season, and maybe, just maybe, at 30 I am too old school for this new Sprint Cup. The tried and true points system for Winston Cup rewarded consistency all season long. This new system rewards winning, and being consistent for the last ten races. Well what makes these last ten races so important?? Ask any driver in the pits and to a man they would say they would rather win in Daytona in February as opposed to Phoenix in November. But yet, in this current system, that win in Phoenix carries more weight that the Daytona 500. Now granted this is an extreme example, but honestly this is a blog for crying out loud, hyperbole is expected.
Many of the people who read this, if there are any of you out there, may think I am not a Jimmie Johnson fan, and am using this argument to further my agenda with statistical propaganda. That cannot be farther from the truth. I am a big Jimmie Johnson fan. Granted I also support Dale Jr. and Tony Stewart, but more importantly I support the great sport of auto racing. A sport based on the simple premise of “I am better than you.” Seems fairly simple right?? With the Chase for the Championship it becomes more along the lines of “I am better than you for these last ten races.”
Now I am fully aware that you have to be eligible for the chase, and all the things that go along with it. But I also know that the Chase is an entirely created finish to garner greater tv ratings. With the amount of advertising that goes on during the race, and the emphasis put on tv ratings, at what point does Sprint Cup become a sports based drama as opposed to a sporting event? (and don’t even get me started on the COT) For the 2007 season, there would have been no drama as the points season wrapped up. All you would have for storylines would be Jeff Gordon going for his historic fifth championship. In 2008 and 2006 you have the points title going down to the final race, and in some instances the final laps. There is no need for created storylines when you have real drama like that. Again, I do not want to degrade anything Jimmie Johnson has done during his career. He is an incredibly talented driver, and as the record books read he is a three time champion. Congratulations to Jimmie and all of the Lowe’s #48 team!
2008 classic points
1) #99-Carl Edwards 5236 [9 wins]
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5220 -16 [7 wins]
2007
1) #24-Jeff Gordon 5455 [6 wins]
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5102 -353 [10 wins]
2006
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson 5158 [5 wins]
2) #17-Matt Kenseth 5154 -4 [4 wins]
Now I am fully aware that this is the system we have, and everyone knew the rules coming into the season, and maybe, just maybe, at 30 I am too old school for this new Sprint Cup. The tried and true points system for Winston Cup rewarded consistency all season long. This new system rewards winning, and being consistent for the last ten races. Well what makes these last ten races so important?? Ask any driver in the pits and to a man they would say they would rather win in Daytona in February as opposed to Phoenix in November. But yet, in this current system, that win in Phoenix carries more weight that the Daytona 500. Now granted this is an extreme example, but honestly this is a blog for crying out loud, hyperbole is expected.
Many of the people who read this, if there are any of you out there, may think I am not a Jimmie Johnson fan, and am using this argument to further my agenda with statistical propaganda. That cannot be farther from the truth. I am a big Jimmie Johnson fan. Granted I also support Dale Jr. and Tony Stewart, but more importantly I support the great sport of auto racing. A sport based on the simple premise of “I am better than you.” Seems fairly simple right?? With the Chase for the Championship it becomes more along the lines of “I am better than you for these last ten races.”
Now I am fully aware that you have to be eligible for the chase, and all the things that go along with it. But I also know that the Chase is an entirely created finish to garner greater tv ratings. With the amount of advertising that goes on during the race, and the emphasis put on tv ratings, at what point does Sprint Cup become a sports based drama as opposed to a sporting event? (and don’t even get me started on the COT) For the 2007 season, there would have been no drama as the points season wrapped up. All you would have for storylines would be Jeff Gordon going for his historic fifth championship. In 2008 and 2006 you have the points title going down to the final race, and in some instances the final laps. There is no need for created storylines when you have real drama like that. Again, I do not want to degrade anything Jimmie Johnson has done during his career. He is an incredibly talented driver, and as the record books read he is a three time champion. Congratulations to Jimmie and all of the Lowe’s #48 team!
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