Official 2011 Nascar thread

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j_crazy

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8,372 posts
Feb 13, 2011 10:25 AM
hopefully the 22 can keep that shit up. i want nothing more than for kurt to win the chase, but being the one to end JJ's streak makes it a lot sweeter for me.
Feb 13, 2011 10:25am
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Speedofsand

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5,529 posts
Feb 13, 2011 10:42 AM
SLINGSHOT is back. There would be 5 or 6 pairs, then half a lap later a 6 pack. 28 lead changes was a record for the Shootout. 9 drivers led. That's only counting at the stripe, there was plenty of passing around the whole track. The 3 wide runs were exciting. I saw Gordon and Biffle charge through the middle into the tri-oval, then they were passed by 6 or 8 cars before they got to turn 2.

The kid from New Philadelphia, Ohio had a scary crash in the ARCA race. It was a relief to see him walk away.
Feb 13, 2011 10:42am
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Tiger2003

Kill or be Killed

15,421 posts
Feb 13, 2011 1:05 PM
Qualifying is about to begin. Martin and Jr are the favorites to lock in the fron row.
Feb 13, 2011 1:05pm
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Tiger2003

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Feb 13, 2011 1:28 PM
Here is the order they are going out today for qualifying.

1.Brad Keselowski
2.Bobby Labonte
3.Kyle Busch
4.Matt Kenseth
5.Clint Bowyer
6.Mark Martin
7.Tony Stewart
8.Ryan Newman
9.Steve Wallace
10.Kasey Kahne
11.Andy Lally
12.Brian Vickers
13.Kevin Harvick
14.Jamie McMurray
15.Joey Logano
16.David Gilliland
17.Paul Menard
18.Juan Pablo Montoya
19.Robert Richardson Jr.
20.Regan Smith
21.Greg Biffle
22.Jeff Gordon
23.Marcos Ambrose
24.AJ Allmendinger
25.David Ragan
26.Trevor Bayne
27.Dale Earnhardt Jr.
28.Jeff Burton
29.David Reutimann
30.Carl Edwards
31.Jimmie Johnson
32.Kurt Busch
33.Robby Gordon
34.Martin Truex Jr.
35.Denny Hamlin
36.Norm Benning*
37.Dave Blaney*
38.JJ Yeley*
39.Michael Waltrip*
40.Casey Mears*
41.Joe Nemechek*
42.Bill Elliott*
43.Todd Bodine*
44.Travis Kvapil*
45.Derrike Cope*
46.Michael McDowell*
47.Kevin Conway*
48.Terry Labonte*
49.Brian Keselowski*
Feb 13, 2011 1:28pm
Tiger2003's avatar

Tiger2003

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15,421 posts
Feb 13, 2011 3:29 PM
Jr got the poll so I am sure there are alot of happy fans. Gordon will start 2nd.

Hamlin went straight into grass at beginning of qualifying. This was the first time he drove this car with the new engine. Toyotas as expected didn't show we in qualifying and the Chevys dominated.
Feb 13, 2011 3:29pm
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shook_17

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3,023 posts
Feb 13, 2011 3:56 PM
great run by jr. lets goo. hopefully the change of crew cheif and cars will translate into more wins and a championship this year.

by the way, is it me or is kevin harvicks car badass. i love the black car and im glad they finally brought it back. never thought i would see the day
Feb 13, 2011 3:56pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 4:07 PM
shook_17;676735 wrote:great run by jr. lets goo. hopefully the change of crew cheif and cars will translate into more wins and a championship this year.
Baby steps lil' fella, baby steps. Worry about a WIN before you start talking about winS and championships. LOL But, I think you will see a turn around with the 88 car this year. I'm gonna say 2 wins, and he makes the chase. Heard an interview from Jr talking about how Latarte has really put his foot down with him. He's making him show up before everyone else, and he's making him be the last one to leave. At the garage and at the track.
shook_17;676735 wrote:by the way, is it me or is kevin harvicks car badass. i love the black car and im glad they finally brought it back. never thought i would see the day

Also heard Harvick talking about this, I'll see if I can find the link. This won't sit well with most Sr. fans I'm sure. LOL He was talking about how he was reluctant to take over for Sr. after his death because he wanted to be known as Harvick, not Earnhardt #2. Said he wanted nothing similar to be like Sr, if his car was black he wanted white, if his firesuit was white, he wanted black. Then all that changed last year. He kept getting a bunch of phone calls from the NASCAR fans that quit watching after Sr's death talking about how they were going to watch Homestead because they want to see Earnhardt's car win another Championship. He said it was then that he realized he will never be able to escape it, so he might as well embrace it. He said he was the one that pulled the trigger on the new Bud car being black. The last thing he said was "I think it's time we see another man in black out on the race track."
Feb 13, 2011 4:07pm
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Speedofsand

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5,529 posts
Feb 13, 2011 4:25 PM
new steering column for Hamlin this year. Wheel came off in his hands, wasn't locked on the splines.
Trevor Bayne, good story of him coming to town and seeing the big banner on the back of the grandstands. It was the '76 checkers crash of Petty and Pearson. #43 and #21, and now he is driving that Wood Brothers 21. He said its an honor, now he will be front row of a twin race.
The three locked in on speed are Awesome Bill, Cheesehead Kvapil, and Front Row Joe.

Nascar pondering changes....http://www.nascar.com/news/110213/daytona-speeds-changes/index.html
"The liftoff speeds are all physics, and we've been down that road," Comstock said. "NASCAR has said in the past that they don't want to go over 200. But if 200's OK now -- I'm OK. But if somebody deems that 200's too fast, we're clearly above 200.
Feb 13, 2011 4:25pm
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GoJPM!

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799 posts
Feb 13, 2011 4:48 PM
Wasn't too impressed with the Bud Shootout last night. Not sure I like the two-car nose-to-tail tandems. Thought it was kind of boring. However, the draft speeds are pretty impressive. I like the front noses on these cars. The COT is starting to look a little bit like a stock car should.

The Toyotas didn't qualify all that quick but they have been stupid fast in the draft.

I like the RCR/EGR Chevies next week. Fast racecars and pretty good group of drivers wheeling them.
Feb 13, 2011 4:48pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 5:00 PM
GoJPM!;676818 wrote:Wasn't too impressed with the Bud Shootout last night. Not sure I like the two-car nose-to-tail tandems. Thought it was kind of boring.

I doubt it will be like that for the 500 the whole race, but, how could you not like that?? A lot of racing, passing, lead changes. That's what racing is all about! A lot better than the 2 10 car single file lines that go back and forth the whole race, IMO. It's definitely a new Daytona.
Feb 13, 2011 5:00pm
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Speedofsand

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Feb 13, 2011 5:42 PM
Arca 200






One stop Bobby Gerhart


Ty Dillon
Feb 13, 2011 5:42pm
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Speedofsand

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Feb 13, 2011 5:44 PM
Horsepower



Feb 13, 2011 5:44pm
shook_17's avatar

shook_17

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3,023 posts
Feb 13, 2011 6:13 PM
GoChiefs;676767 wrote:Baby steps lil' fella, baby steps. Worry about a WIN before you start talking about winS and championships. LOL But, I think you will see a turn around with the 88 car this year. I'm gonna say 2 wins, and he makes the chase. Heard an interview from Jr talking about how Latarte has really put his foot down with him. He's making him show up before everyone else, and he's making him be the last one to leave. At the garage and at the track.



Also heard Harvick talking about this, I'll see if I can find the link. This won't sit well with most Sr. fans I'm sure. LOL He was talking about how he was reluctant to take over for Sr. after his death because he wanted to be known as Harvick, not Earnhardt #2. Said he wanted nothing similar to be like Sr, if his car was black he wanted white, if his firesuit was white, he wanted black. Then all that changed last year. He kept getting a bunch of phone calls from the NASCAR fans that quit watching after Sr's death talking about how they were going to watch Homestead because they want to see Earnhardt's car win another Championship. He said it was then that he realized he will never be able to escape it, so he might as well embrace it. He said he was the one that pulled the trigger on the new Bud car being black. The last thing he said was "I think it's time we see another man in black out on the race track."

true baby steps. what, doesn't he have 1 win in the last three years? and im glad harvick has realized that he won't ever step out of the shadow and it would be nice to see the black car back winning championships. all he needs is the white suit ;)
t
Feb 13, 2011 6:13pm
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gerb131

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9,932 posts
Feb 13, 2011 6:21 PM
Super G Robby Gordon will WIN the 500.
Feb 13, 2011 6:21pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:28 PM
NASCAR wasted no time in making some changes to limit the abundance of two-car tandems that dominated much of Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout.

Sprint Cup Series crews were issued technical bulletins on Sunday afternoon outlining changes to the size of the openings of the cars' front grills and the addition of a pressure relief valve to the water system.

Both are designed to help limit the amount of time cars would be able to "hook up" together before engine temperatures get dangerously high.

Jimmy Makar, vice president of racing operations for Joe Gibbs Racing, says the changes should decrease the distance drivers can maintain in the two-car tandems. There could still be additional changes prior to Thursday's Gatorade Duel qualifying races or even Sunday's Daytona 500 if needed, NASCAR officials said.

"Basically, they’re going to restrict the amount of air that’s going to flow through the radiator with a smaller opening in the grill so you’re going to get less cooling through your radiator,” Makar said. “That will tend to make your cars run hotter when you’re in the draft too long. It’s going to make you have to step out more often.

“The valve is going to keep you from being able to run a pressurized water system to where you don’t boil water as quickly. You’re not going to have the ability to run a lot hotter than 220 to 230ish. It will drop that number down a little bit as to how hot you can run the motor before you start pushing water out.”

Officials will continue to monitor speeds, which topped upwards of 206 mph by some drivers on Saturday night.
Feb 13, 2011 6:28pm
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GoJPM!

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Feb 13, 2011 6:30 PM
GoChiefs;676834 wrote:I doubt it will be like that for the 500 the whole race, but, how could you not like that?? A lot of racing, passing, lead changes. That's what racing is all about! A lot better than the 2 10 car single file lines that go back and forth the whole race, IMO. It's definitely a new Daytona.
The racing has become somewhat sanitized. That element of danger, that you had with the three wide packs, seems absent this year. This type of racing, that we saw last night, doesn't leave me on the edge of my seat. Too predictable.

NASCAR might tweak things before Thursday's duals. We shall see!
Feb 13, 2011 6:30pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:33 PM
shook_17;676952 wrote:true baby steps. what, doesn't he have 1 win in the last three years?

Actually, it's only one win in 4 and a half years. :p Hell, only 3 wins in 6 years.
Feb 13, 2011 6:33pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:36 PM
GoJPM!;676971 wrote:The racing has become somewhat sanitized. That element of danger, that you had with the three wide packs, seems absent this year. This type of racing, that we saw last night, doesn't leave me on the edge of my seat. Too predictable.

NASCAR might tweak things before Thursday's duals. We shall see!

There's more of an element of 'danger' to it, IMO. Did you see how crazy they were getting last night? Were we watching the same race? LOL You have to put a lot of faith in the guy behind you that's pushing you. You know, the one that can't even see exactly where the hell he is pushing. LOL

Not quite sure how you figure predictable either? Some cars worked with each other well, some cars didn't. We didn't know, and the drivers didn't even know until they teamed up. There was a record set for the most lead changes last night. Where's the predictability in that? Nobody figured Kurt was going to win that race.
Feb 13, 2011 6:36pm
W

WebFire

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14,779 posts
Feb 13, 2011 6:36 PM
Nascar is terrible. Tweaking things week to week to get the results they want. This is why Nascar has went to shit. And to whoever said something about COT looking like a stock car should, that stopped in the 80s. Nascar will never be a stock car. They might as well race 'em like the old Iroc series.
Feb 13, 2011 6:36pm
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GoJPM!

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Feb 13, 2011 6:38 PM
Can see some blown engines next Sunday.
Feb 13, 2011 6:38pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:43 PM
GoJPM!;676981 wrote:Can see some blown engines next Sunday.

I think you are absolutely correct. The drivers are going to push the envelope as far as trying to stay tucked up under one car for so long. I definitely think we'll see some motors let loose.
Feb 13, 2011 6:43pm
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GoJPM!

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Feb 13, 2011 6:47 PM
GoChiefs;676978 wrote:There's more of an element of 'danger' to it, IMO. Did you see how crazy they were getting last night? Were we watching the same race? LOL You have to put a lot of faith in the guy behind you that's pushing you. You know, the one that can't even see exactly where the hell he is pushing. LOL

Not quite sure how you figure predictable either? Some cars worked with each other well, some cars didn't. We didn't know, and the drivers didn't even know until they teamed up. There was a record set for the most lead changes last night. Where's the predictability in that? Nobody figured Kurt was going to win that race.
The new pavement, tons of grip, tire wear won't be an issue. Guys can put their car anywhere they want or stick their noses where they normally wouldn't. Definitely do not want to be the leading car heading towards the checkered flag. Basically seeing teammates hooking up all day. Don't have a teammate or lose your's, then good luck. Kurt and Jamie lucked out. Next Sunday may not be the same story.
Feb 13, 2011 6:47pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:47 PM
WebFire;676979 wrote:Nascar is terrible.
Just curious, you keep coming back and commenting why then? We get it, you're not a NASCAR fan. I don't like soccer either, so you know what? I don't open any soccer threads.
WebFire;676979 wrote:Tweaking things week to week to get the results they want. This is why Nascar has went to shit,

Most of the changes they make are changes the fans want. NASCAR didn't go to shit because of making changes in the middle of the season, NASCAR went to shit because they became too 'safe' and in the process, made it just like the IROC series.
Feb 13, 2011 6:47pm
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ts1227

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Feb 13, 2011 6:52 PM
GoJPM!;676981 wrote:Can see some blown engines next Sunday.

Dale Jr. does that enough on his own (or at least has recently), let alone with NASCAR changing things to try to blow it up.

He better stay our front, lol.

GoChiefs;677003 wrote:Most of the changes they make are changes the fans want. NASCAR didn't go to shit because of making changes in the middle of the season, NASCAR went to shit because they became too 'safe' and in the process, made it just like the IROC series.
This decision isn't really an example of the fan council though. This is NASCAR straight out manipulating to get what they want. You and I both agree that last night's racing was pretty good (or at least that it definitely wasn't bad), but that's not what they want, and they tweak shit midstream (which has always annoyed me) when they saw how it was going to go based off of practices and whatnot. Plus, the warmer temperatures at the 500 would have most likely remedied it anyway.

I'm not a fan of tinkering with the shit once the week has started. They've run a race and qualified, and there was nothing really wrong, yet here they go. Unless shit is going down like at the 2008 Brickyard, let it be.
Feb 13, 2011 6:52pm
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GoChiefs

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Feb 13, 2011 6:52 PM
GoJPM!;677001 wrote:The new pavement, tons of grip, tire wear won't be an issue. Guys can put their car anywhere they want or stick their noses where they normally wouldn't. Definitely do not want to be the leading car heading towards the checkered flag. Basically seeing teammates hooking up all day. Don't have a teammate or lose your's, then good luck. Kurt and Jamie lucked out. Next Sunday may not be the same story.

Next Sunday will be nothing like the shootout. And a teammate wasn't necessary last night, as you pointed out. It's Daytona, it's always been about 'lucking out'. You didn't want to be the leading car heading towards the checkered flag at the old Daytona either. You are just a sitting duck then. That hasn't changed. Don't see how being able to put your car where you want is a bad thing? Daytona has always been sit in a long line and hold your foot down as hard as you can. There was never any skill or really driving involved. Now the drivers can actually drive. Not just hang out in a single file line all race.
Feb 13, 2011 6:52pm