Tuesday, September 28th "What If" Question

Every driver has a track that they love racing at and every driver has a track that they just seemed to figure out better than any others.

For AJ Allmendinger that track may quickly have started to become the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. In May at the track he gave Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch a run for their money all day as he battle in the top three. Had it not been for a late race problem he may have been able to spoil their party, but finished 14th.

This past weekend he was back to doing the same. After qualifying on the outside of the front row, Allmendinger took the lead from Johnson on lap 14 and went on to lead 143 laps. The No. 43 Best Buy/Insignia Ford Fusion was the car to beat until again another problem popped up. A five-cent washer found its way into one of his tires and started to cause a leak.

After having to pit under green, Allmendinger needed the race to cycle through but when Matt Kenseth missed pit road and then blew out his left front tire, the caution flew and knocked Allmendinger off the lead lap. Not one to give up, the No. 43 rocketed back on the lead lap and back into the top 10 before running out of laps and seeing Johnson go to victory lane.

Said Allmendinger, "The car was dialed in and just a stupid five-cent washer got inside the tire."

But ...

What if AJ Allmendinger didn't have a flat tire early in the AAA 400 at Dover. Would he have ended the day in victory lane?

@RacerGirlAmanda I say he would have. I mean he came back to finish 10th after that, so he had a very fast car. So why not?

@Ol_Man_Winter I would say no, JJ & his team were on a mission, he saved the 48 car for the end (like he always does) AJ used his car up.

@dougthethird No. RPM and AJ's team are not very experienced at putting a whole race together and keeping up with the track as the 48.

@MattEmbury I wish that would've happened Kelly, that stunk.

@NancyatStudioN What if a frog had wings..would he still bump his ass when he jumps?..Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm in a silly mood tonite.

@Best_Buy_Racing We think so!

Tuesday, September 7th "What If" Question

Since entering the Sprint Cup Series in 1999, Tony Stewart has always been a driver to watch out for. It didn't matter on what type of track or in which type of car, Smoke was going to be a factor one way or another. Until 2009 he and crew chief Greg Zipadelli were the longest running crew chief and driver combination and they were a good one as well.

The pair won two championships and 32 races before Stewart made the decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing to start his own team of Stewart-Haas Racing. Zipadelli stayed at JGR, feeling that he owed it to the company that gave him his chance. Stewart set up in 2009 and picked up right where he left off at JGR, winning four races and leading the championship standings for much of the season.

When the Chase started his No. 14 team's performance fell off from their regular season status but still came home with a top 10 standing, ending the year sixth. It was quite the success for a driver that once was thought to never leave the company that he started his career, his NASCAR career after coming from open wheel, with. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side and things work out for the best.

Stewart's decision though might have steamed from a larger situation. He's also had a strong relationship with Chevrolet and it was a year after JGR had switched from Chevrolet's to Toyota's that Stewart worked to be released from his contract early and left. At Stewart-Haas he's back behind the wheel of a Chevy.

But ...

What if Joe Gibbs Racing never switched to Toyota. Would Tony Stewart have still left his contract early and started his own team?

@Talon64 Damn, this is a hard one! Tony might still be with JGR today, and Joey would be in a 4th JGR car.

@Emily_988 I don't think he would have left it early, but I do think he would have left and started his own team.

@kaobose No, Tony likes his bow ties. He as always felt comfortable behind a Chevy. @mw55 (Michael Waltrip) would Kyle Busch have had such a breakout in his career if he had gone to MWR to drive a Toyota? What if....

@felipegana I think Tony would have stayed in JGR. He would have gone to ownership later in his career, in the last years before retiring.

@DRLDeBoer Toyota certainly made his decision easier. Even if still Chevy I still think Tony does the Haas deal too good to pass.

@NancyatStudioN I think that's the biggest reason he left. He might not have been as open 2 Haas' offer, they might have had 2 offer him more. I do think he always intended 2 own his own team someday, it just wouldn't have been so soon (Of course he isn't full owner).

@ronsracing88 I think Tony would of stayed w/ Gibbs if they were still Chevy.

@phathead It's highly unlikely Smoke leaves if they stick with Chevy. I don't think even JGR realised how ingrained it is in him. Plus I'm pretty sure he held the same sentiments about Toyota as the avg fan did when they entered.

@DarlingtonChick I think Tony likes to take control of situations & make a difference. (Eldora) & I think he wanted create a post-driving NASCAR career.

@SD80MAC Yes. The offer of owner part of the Hass team still would have been enough to get him to leave JGR. Tony I think has wanted to be a team owner for several years.

Sunday, September 5th "What If" Question

Being the son of a seven-time champion has been both a blessing and a curse for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Early in his career Earnhardt Jr. could lean heavily on his father to guide him in the right direction or be there to praise him when the younger Earnhardt accomplish something.

In 1998 and 1999 it was two Nationwide Series championships and in 2000 it was his first two career Sprint Cup wins. After Earnhardt Sr. died in 2001, Earnhardt Jr. continued to find victory lane on one or two occasions a year before breaking out in 2004. Led by Tony Eury Sr., the No. 8 Budweiser team won six races, including the Daytona 500, and was in the hunt for the championship until the final few races.

After ending the season fifth in points the company made the decision to switch everything but the drivers on the No. 8 team of Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 15 of Michael Waltrip in hopes of improving Waltrip's performance. It didn't work as both teams struggled in 2005 and missed the Chase.

During that period Earnhardt Jr. went through three different crew chiefs: Pete Rondeau, Steve Hmiel (whom led him to the only victory of the season) and then Tony Eury Jr. returned atop the pit box. The team rebounded in 2006 to win a single race and make the Chase before things went downhill again in 2007. After another season of missing the Chase and things with step-mother Teresa becoming worse, Earnhardt Jr. decided to leave his father's team.

Now with Hendrick Motorsports Earnhardt Jr. again finds himself struggling after coming out of the box strong in 2008. He's on his second crew chief, Eury Jr. went to work at JR Motorsports, but things with Lance McGrew haven't gotten any better. He'll miss the Chase for the third time since it's inception in 2004 and it's leaving fans frustrated and confused of how things have gotten to this point.

Everyone seems to have their own thoughts on what should be changed in order to fix the No. 88 team...

But...

After winning six races in 2004, DEI made the decision to switch crews for Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Upon doing so both teams started to run horribly, Dale Jr. went through numerous crew chiefs, missed the Chase in '05 and '07 and eventually left DEI. What if the crews where never switched, would Dale Jr. still have started to run bad and now be with HMS?

@mbauerherzog I think Jr would have ran better but still left DEI.

@nathanmedic Great one, Kelly! I say he wud have had more success that yr, but still have eventually left DEI. That just sped it up.

@RedChevy14 Considering their 2006 performance and then the '07 problems its hard to say whether '05 affected it or not.

@smokinace88 To me I don't think Junior ever got over his crash in 04 when the car was on fire. I think he had a brush with death and he hasn't been the same since but lately I've noticed old Junior coming back

@Emily_988 I think his performance still would have dropped off but not as much as it did. I think he still would have left DEI because it wasn't just a performance issue that caused that.

@norcocheermom I don't think we would even know because it's a what if! And it really doesn't matter because it's a what if!

@dougthethird No. Junior was at his best with Pops has his CC. I STILL think that's the solution to Junior's woes. Would he have left DEI? I don't know. The issues ran deeper than on-track performance. But if he did, he wouldve taken Pops and Eury Jr. Full disclosure: I'm a Junior fan

@DarlingtonChick Not sure. But CC/driver combos R critical. Check out DJ w/o Parrott, Kenseth w/o Reiser, JG w/o Evernham, Newman w/o Borland. As fans, we gravitate toward the drivers because of their 'courage'. Our loyalties may be misplaced. CC's the true stars. Honestly, for me the Dale Jr problem is more about the COT than anything else. Dale Jr's the success on the track, was all pre-COT. Yes.... so you make a crew chief change which creates an issue then you make a huge racecar change. #SnowballEffect. Plus he wasn't getting along with the team owner. I guess I'm saying I think it's a fustercluck of problems.
My point. Awesome discussion!

@birdwisperer Thought Jr. Had hit a dry spot @ the end of the season as well as mike needing help???

@SD80MAC I don't think switching crew chiefs made a bit of difference. After the bad crash and fire that Junior had that year, I think that hurt his driving skills.

@kaobose Jr's relationship with Teresa is why he left. Jr, his siblings felt like they had stake in DEI, when she slammed door he left. I don't think so Kelly. Earnhardt clan was VERY family oriented til Sr. died. After that things went down hill. I've had business dealings with Teresa, she's a bitch!

@phathead You should know the correct response is: "JUNNNNNNNNNORRRRRRRR"

Saturday, September 4th "What If" Question

During the 1990s it appeared that no one could stop "Wonderboy." No, not Jimmie Johnson, his co-owner and teammate Jeff Gordon who won 47 races and three championships under crew chief Ray Evernham. Gordon entered the Sprint Cup Series as a kid, sporting a mustache and carrying around a briefcase (which Evernham said contained a Gameboy) but quickly showed the world that he was a driver to watch.

Week after week Gordon would go head-to-head with the veterans and beat them, becoming the enemy to many fans in the stands. How far was Gordon going to go? Could he reach Earnhardt and Petty's wins and championships records? Things certainly appeared to be going that way and nothing was slowing the pair down.

Until Evernham made a decision to leave the team. Dodge was making their way into the sport and had approached Evernham about starting his own team under their banner. Not wanting to leave the offer on the table, the crew chief became an owner and left HMS and Gordon.

At first it didn't look as though Gordon had suffered much as he and new crew chief Robbie Loomis won title number four in 2001. That however, has been the last championship trophy that Gordon has lifted and his wins total has mellowed out as well. Being at 82 wins is nothing to sneeze at ...

But ...

What if Ray Evernham never left Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon. How many titles would they have won/kept Johnson from winning?

@NASCARinstig8r I don't necessarily think Evernham and Gordon would have produced the same kind of success in the "new" NASCAR. Its way different. When they were winning championships they only had 4 or 5 guys to beat. 6 (Mark Martin), 88 (Dale Jarrett), 5 (Terry Labonte), 3 (Dale Earnhardt), 2 (Rusty Wallace). Now there's 12 or more to beat. Had the chase not been implemented Gordon would already have 6 titles. Of the top 10, I think all have a realistic shot ea yr.

@Emily_988 I will answer this one. I think they could have won at least 2 more. But no COT ones.

@RedChevy14 As a crew chief Ray probably coulda figured out how to lift the space shuttle. Questiou woulda been driver/cc chemistry.

@SD80MAC At least one or two more. Even with the COT, I think Ray Evernham would have been able to set it up and get the wins. Ray Evernham could make anything run fast. He was probably one of the best ever crew chiefs.

@yoak0373 I like to ponder the same thing about Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser. It's a deeper question because Reiser getting promoted made the other Roush teams better and Matt's team worse!!!

NancyatStudioN I think JG would have cont'd 2 win if Ray hadn't left. He'd have at least 2 more Championships. I hoped 4 at least 8 - LOL

Thursday, September 2nd "What If" Question

Ask any track promoter and they're bound to tell you that their facility is better than anyone else's. From Daytona to Bristol or Martinsville and Talladega, each has their own unique characteristics. Perhaps none are as unique as the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina however.

Built in 1949 the track is egg-shapped due to a neighboring minnow pond that the land owner said he didn't want disturbed. Upon it's completion Darlington consisted of two turns that were bigger than the opposing two. Quickly nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "Too Tough Too Tame" the racing didn't disappoint.

Drivers quickly realized this wasn't any other track, they would have to earn their money if they wanted to end the day in victory lane. From multi-car wrecks to single driver incidents, the Lady in Black would strike whenever a driver had let their guard down. But, she was also very giving when in 2003 she produced the closest margin of victory in NASCAR history when Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven went door-to-door, fender-to-fender to the finish line.

If it wasn't wrecks it was tires that stole the show. The tough 'ol track wasn't very kind to Goodyear eagles as they would usually be no good after 10 or 20 laps. Some drivers even said they were shot after driving their car from the garage to pit road. Even after being repaved it hasn't slowed anything down and Darlington is still one of the toughest tracks on the circuit, as well as one of the most respected.

But ...

What if Darlington wasn't shaped like an egg 'cause of a neighboring pond. Would it still have unique characteristics and be tough?

@DarlingtonChick What a very odd question! I would prefer tweeps not contemplate a non-egg shaped Darlington! Darlington is all things sacred to NASCAR faithful. But u already know this. ;-)

@stevewaid Not likely. But the fact is that it does. As other tracks have their unique characteristics.

@nathanmedic Yes, due to the grit-nature of the track causing massive tire-wear b/c of surrounding SC environment > import than.

@phathead I think it has more to do with the narrow lanes than the shape.

@RTiongson As Rockingham is located in North Carolina's Sand Hills, Darlington's location is such that the asphalt ages faster. I also credit its location. Even when they repave that track, the asphalt wears out and grinds those tires up. Classic racing.

Tuesday, August 31st "What If" Question

Drivers switch teams, teams switch crews, sponsors switch organizations. They're some of the many things that happen in the NASCAR garage but very rarely do you see an organization change manufacturers, but Joe Gibbs Racing has had three over the last few years.

It started with Pontiac where drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart each won championships, in 2000 and 2002 respectively. In 2003 they switched to Chevrolet where Stewart brought home another title two years later in 2005. However, before the 2008 season JGR announced they would be switching to Toyota, who had entered the Sprint Cup Series in 2007. Things didn't go very well for the company and many called their performances with the company's they were aliened with to be embarrassing.

Joining forces with JGR would provide winners behind the wheel and Toyota was willing to spend whatever amount of money they needed to be successful. It proved to be the right combination as the manufacturer and company are ones to beat each and every weekend, no matter what series they're racing in.

Kyle Busch delivered a Nationwide Series championship last year and on top of their numerous owners championships in the Truck series, are looking to add a Sprint Cup title in 2010. Denny Hamlin has already won five races and was the pre-season pick to dethrone Jimmie Johnson.

But ...

What if Joe Gibbs Racing/Toyota never partnered. Would Toyota have become a force each week? How would JGR be doing w/another brand?

@NancyatStudioN l I think JGR would've done well but maybe not AS well as I think they got more support ($?) from Toyota than they got elsewhere. I think JGR gave Toyo legitimacy quicker than w/o JGR & I can't think of another Toyota team that could've done that.

@RedChevy14 What I wonder is if they'd still have Tony, if HaasCNC would have bothered to offer the ownership. And Toyota probably would have eventually gotten strong through MWR and some other top team they lured in JGR's place.

@dougthethird JGR would be fine. Toyota would be fine, but instead of winning tons they'd just be solid. MWR and Red Bull would carry them

@Emily_988 Missed the question at first, but my thoughts are that JGR was stronger with Chevy/Pontiac. That's what won championships.

@Ol_Man_Winter Toyota would hav found another team 2 pour lots funds into & still win. JGR could win w/other brand.

Monday, August 30th "What If" Question

Many drivers have come and gone over the years in NASCAR. Some were lucky enough to be put into the right situation and took full advantage of the opportunity before them. Others weren't as lucky and their careers fizzled before they ever really got started.

In late 2006 David Gilliland shocked the NASCAR world when he won a Nationwide Series race driving for an underfunded team, Clay Andrews, at Kentucky. A short time later Gilliland was promoted to the Sprint Cup Series where he replaced Elliott Sadler in the No. 38 M&M's Ford for Robert Yates Racing.

In 2009 Gilliland moved to TRG Motorsports but it didn't last long. He then drove a few races for Joe Gibbs Racing, Robby Gordon Motorsports, Wood Brothers Racing, before landing at Front Row Motorsports. He currently drives the No. 38 Taco Bell Ford Fusion. Gilliland's career was just another example of how things could be going great one year and hit rock bottom the next.

But ...

What if David Gilliland hadn't won the Nationwide race at Kentucky in 06. Would he have been given a Cup ride & if not, when and how?

@Talon64 Gilliland would've probably stayed in the regional series, making occasional Nationwide starts every now and then.

@kartracer3886 He was doing great in a no name Busch team for a couple months. But didnt work in Cup

@toby_christie You could argue that even with a win he had an average finish of 28.4 in Nationwide.. maybe he didnt deserve to be in cup yet. l I like David Gilliland, and I know he had a win that year in Nationwide, but overall he did pretty bad that season...

@nathanmedic No way that he makes it to Cup otherwise. He never belonged 2 begin with. Everyone looking for "immediate" gratification. By "everyone" I mean owners and sponsors.

@Emily_988 I don't think 1 win in NNS is enough to give a guy a Cup ride. I don't even know if it's enough to keep the NNS ride. In that series the championship is more important in determining who should move up. Consistent drivers should move up.

@RedChevy14 I doubt a Cup ride would have come along without that win, at least not nearly as quickly.

@SD80MAC No. He would have stayed in NNS hopefully building his skills. I'm not sure he deserves a Cup ride now. Just an also-ran.

@Bama_GLori I remember Tony Stewart having a few choice words about DG getting a Cup ride

Sunday, August 29th "What If" Question

Some, OK many, blame Matt Kenseth for NASCAR implementing the Chase system. After winning the 2003 championship after only having won one race, NASCAR felt things needed to be shook up. It wouldn't do the sport any good if a driver had a 200-300 point lead with five or 10 races left in the season, fans would tune into something else because they already knew who was going to win the championship.

In 2004 the Chase debuted. At the time only 10 drivers qualified for the Chase that consisted of the final 10 races of the season. Their points would be reset in order to put the drivers on a level playing field as they each chased the title. The format worked as the champion was decided at the final race of the season, Homestead-Miami, as Kurt Busch beat Jimmie Johnson by eight points.

Since then the Chase has been reformatted to include 12 drivers who are seeded in the Chase by the wins they accumulated over the first 26 races, pre-Chase. Drivers have come to understand and some even like the new point system and make it priority number one of qualifying for it. As Greg Biffle once said, if you don't qualify for the Chase, "you feel like a second class citizen."

But ...

What if NASCAR never implemented Chase. If point leader had over 300 point lead with 10-15 races left, would you watch rest of the season?

@spunk72 I'd absolutely still watch. Championship aside, each individual race is unique and fun for me.

@Emily_988 Yes. I watch for each race. I've never really cared about the big picture.

@nathanmedic I definitely would watch much less, just like '03. I'm in favor of the Chase.

@phathead Of course, then there's even more of a point to go all out for a race win

@nascarjaj Yes, I try to watch every race, the Chase makes it more exciting though.

@Jrocket10 Sure because that might not be my driver leading the points. I watch because I love racing. Yeah knowing who wins the title is boring, but not knowing who wins the race is another story!

@dougthethird Of course.

@NASCARinstig8r I still watch the NW series, why wouldn't I watch Cup? I could care less who wins the championship if the racing's good.

@racecrazy I'd watch it if they told me who the champ was even before the season started-its about each race

@SD80MAC I would still watch all races. Knowing who would be the champion is not a big deal. Love racing!

@Ol_Man_Winter Yes, I would still watch the weekly #Nascar races. I don't follow chase

@NASCAR_Outsider I watch the races & think the Chase is Bull Poo. I doubt if 10% of fans attending the last 10 races do it because of Chase!

@KYTAB Less points racing if the title is already won, which means better racing!!!

Saturday, August 28th "What If" Question

Michael Waltrip has had quite the career: a horrific crash at Bristol, winning two Daytona 500s, being involved in a cheating scandal, and starting his own team. He's become a lovable character around the garage who has the reputation of being able to interview himself, along with naming every one of his sponsors in about 30 seconds.

Things weren't always easy for the Kentucky native though and it wasn't until he joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. that he started to shine. We all know that sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side and for Waltrip it was certainly true. He won three races at DEI before things started to fall apart. He and teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. switched everything except their car numbers and sponsors, but it still didn't help.

In 2006 Waltrip left DEI and headed for Bill Davis Racing for one year before then forming Michael Waltrip Racing. Today MWR has two wins under their belt, both courtesy of David Reutimann, and might be on their way to becoming a championship contender over the next few years.

But ...

What if Michael Waltrip decided not to leave DEI and start his own team? How would his career have ended ..

@SD80MAC Things were on a downward spiral at DEI at that time. He probably would have wound up being also-ran out of top 25 points

@TJIngerson I don't think he had a choice in leaving DEI. Plus I think NAPA wanted to leave DEI which left Mikey sponsorless there. They were pushing Paul Menard at the time. Remember Mikey went to Bill Davis for a year and raced a Dodge. I believe DEI was pushing Menard at the time and it left Mikey out. He had medicore final years at DEI

@kaobose Same way Steve Wallace's career will end up, alotta flash but NO boom!

@NancyatStudioN Seriously, there was no other team who would have hired him. He would have been forced to retire & be an announcer

@Ol_Man_Winter Wow, you come up with some good what ifs,..he wouldn't be where he is today.

Friday, August 27th "What If" Question

This was the very first "What If" question and after getting as much feedback as I did, decided to make it a nightly tradition.

What if Kyle Busch never left Hendrick Motorsports? Would he be as dominate as he is with Joe Gibbs Racing & Toyota?

Kyle Busch was the young, fresh-faced kid at HMS and was most likely well on his way to having a lifelong career there .. until the most popular driver came along. Rick Hendrick signed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to a multi-year contract but needed a seat for Earnhardt Jr. and it came at the expense of Busch. He was quickly snatched up by Joe Gibbs Racing and during the 2008 season Busch made everyone but JGR look bad. He went from two wins during his career at HMS to eight in one season.

It didn't end there, he started running more Nationwide and Truck Series races and couldn't be stopped. In 2009 he won his first Nationwide Series Championship and before the start of the 2010 season started his won truck team. He's now at 79 career victories across the top three series.

But, he needed to leave HMS for it all to happen. What if he didn't ...

The floor opened and here were the responses:

@Matt_Kacar No. He never fit in with the Hendricks cup program. Plus we all know JJ gets the good stuff. Lol jk. Hendrick is a no personality organization. Busch was able to be top dog at Gibbs. It is shocking that Jr is running bad even though Hendrick said he was gonna fix it.

@Ol_Man_Winter Probably not. It takes money to win. If I remember correctly didn't Hendrick or Childress (or both) have to beg Chevy for more support? Meanwhile, it seems like Toyota is pouring tons of money into the sport of NASCAR, which definitely helps Kyle. I'm not sure which one had to beg, but I'm certain Chevy made cutbacks due to bad economy. Chevy took government bailout $$$$

@TomDignanSr He was in the same boat as @DaleJR at HMS. R+D for the 48 and 24. #DontGetMeStarted

@kbm18 Yes, @HendrickInfo wants the money and its coming from Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson

@NancyatStudioN l I don't think HMS would have allowed KB the freedom to race as much as he does. I think they tried to fit him into their mold. HMS traded the better driver for the most popular driver - and the sponsorship $ and souvenir $ that came with him. I think he wasn't winning b/c they thought he was too young to tell them what he needed & they didn't listen to him. Looking back, I think KB would never have fit into the HMS mold - which is why BV left for Red Bull. I mean HMS thought that - JGR let him be him & gave him what he asked for - they even let Addington go for him

@brandongraves20 I would have to say yes he would be dominated if he stayed with HMS. Well thats easy he adapted to Steve Addington better than Alan Gustafson.

@mbauerherzog I think Kyle just clicks better with the people at Gibbs more than the older type drivers at HMS.

@mark_schafer On the difference part, I'm not sure Hendrick would allow Busch to race as much in the other series. But I could be wrong. Either way he'd be robbing one of the Labontes of a number they made great. Oh I mean no, I dont think he would be as good.

@smokinace88 Because Kelly it's just Like Junior can do amazing in his own car with a RCR engine Rick doesnt really care. Rick Hendrick only really wants drivers to make money ... Joe Gibbs wants drivers to win races. I think it's cuz Kyle can be himself at Gibbs while at Hendrick he had to act a certain way. My opinion is this Kyle does Nationwide does amazing, sets him up ready for race day in cup

@TJIngerson It was a change in attitude for him when Hendrick let him go. Said talent can only go so far need the attitude too.

@Emily_988 I think it's similar to the McMurray situation. The driver can be good & the team can be good, but they're not good together.

@kartracer3886 If kyle stays at HMS I bet he would not run near as much as he does