Friday, August 19th 'What If' Question

Just like the many before him and the many more that will come after him, Jacques Villeneuve has been trying his hand at NASCAR.

It's been a pretty good hand too, Villeneuve has been fast and competitive in most of the races he's competed in. In some he's had the chance to win before he went and became the Jacques Villeneuve that many know and love and took himself out. Regardless, he keeps coming back and team owners keep wanting to put him in their cars.

He's driven for both Turner Motorsports and Penske Racing. Driving for Penske he was in contention for the win at Road America before he drove down into turn one and over his head. He ran into Max Papis and others as the leaders got away. The race would eventually end under caution and many of the leaders ran out of fuel. Villeneuve finished third and maybe should have won the race.

The same happened again this past weekend when he qualified on the pole in the Penske No. 22 as he filled in for the injured Brad Keselowski. Even after leading early and often Villeneuve would again take himself out of the race. On a restart he drove into turn one and locked the brakes up and slid into the grass. He decided to come back onto the track and right into eventual winner Marcos Ambrose, damaging both of their cars and sending them to the rear of the field.

While Ambrose was able to rebound Villeneuve was more of a bull in the china shop and finished 27th, again in a car that should have won the race. That seems to be the theme of Villeneuves NASCAR career, at least to this point. He'll no doubt be back in a car soon enough and will again to be one of the best drivers in the field the question just becomes, when can he put it all together and win? Everything he needs is right in front of him.

But ...

What if Jacques Villeneuve wasn't in Penske equipment when running in #NASCAR races, would he still be as competitive & fast as he's been?

@ARosser14 He was fast in the 32 car as I recall, so yes.

@ladybug388 no as you need the equipment to therefore match well with a good ability to drive. no matter the driver, they need the car & top notch team behind them to win.

@HarpAmyStabler No, cause the equipment covers at least 50% of the results w/ the exception of Kyle Busch. KyBu can make anything look good.

@mjmpgh Probably in Montreal all at least, the track's named after his dad.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) Well, he won the 1995 CART Championship, the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1997 Formula One World Championship, making him only the third driver after Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi to achieve such a feat. Granted, he is getting older (he's 40) and probably losing some of his oomph, but you have been on him like he's some idiot who never learned how to drive. He hasn't had as many wrecks as some others we could mention.

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) I'm not sure about that. I think because he's in familiar equipment, it helps out because he knows what he's got. At the same time, as a road course specialist, we've seen drivers like Ron Fellows run different equipment practically every year and still run near the front. I'm not saying he won't be competitive and fast if he's in say equipment from Gibbs, Roush, or even MWR. But, I think it's more about being familiar with the equipment, not so much the driver.

Wednesday, August 17th 'What If' Question

There doesn't need to be a road course involved for NASCAR drivers to have road rage. But it certainly helps the excitement notch go up a bit when one is involved.

That's been the case this season in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with drivers either driving over their head and causing trouble for their competitors or payback coming fast and furious on the right and left handed turns. This Saturday the NNS will be making those turns for the final time in 2011 and feelings are going to get hurt if the first few road course races were any indication.

Entered in this Saturday's events are favorites like Ron Fellows for JR Motorsports, who still believes he should have been in the winner in Road America. There's Fellows teammate Danica Patrick making another NNS start before what's expected to be an announcement next week about her 2012 plans. Indy 500 pole sitter Alex Tagliani is also entered for Roger Penske but all eyes will be on the driver of the No. 22 Penske car, Jacques Villeneuve.

Not only because the track is named after his late father but because Villeneuve has ruffled some feathers in the NNS. At Road America Villeneuve again was his aggressive self and again didn't make it to the checkered flag first, he did though ruin a few of his competitions day. Notably that of Max Papis who didn't hide his anger with Villeneuve and neither did team owner Kevin Harvick.

The not so happy Harvick tweeted that he hoped Papis punched Villeneuve in the mouth, that he had no sense and that there was no respect for Villeneuve in NASCAR and it was the same reason they kicked his "dumbass" out of F1. Aftewards Villeneuve seemed unapologitic in his comments about the incident with Papis,

Unfortunately for those who were hoping for the second chapter to be written this weekend, Papis is not entered to compete in the race. Instead Scott Speed will be behind the wheel of the KHI No. 33 and unless Villeneuve upsets anymore individuals, shouldn't have to look over his shoulder on Saturday. No road rage here.

But ...

What if Max Papis was entered in the Nationwide race on Saturday, how long before he took out Jacques Villeneuve? Or would he? #NASCAR

@MattEmbury I don't think the boys have at it thing would be covered there, although JV was quite reckless at Road America.

@Talon64 Jacques would use up all his brakes and wreck before Max would get a shot at revenge.

@rcracer20 if he could catch him he would

@cruetten I would like to think that Max would've spun him as soon as he got to him.

Thursday, August 11th 'What If' Question

Thursday afternoon Joe Gibbs Racing announced that starting in 2012 they would be partnering with Toyota Racing Development, TRD, to produce engines.

Gibbs engines have taken a beating this season with many failures and drivers upset about the performance. Up until this point JGR had built their engines in house and while that won't be the case next season, they say they'll keep their engine shop for other projects. Along with their Sprint Cup Series program the team also runs a Nationwide program with their three Cup stars and other development drivers.

In Nationwide JGR has won many races and owner championships and recently a driver's championship with Kyle Busch in 2009. They've had drivers behind the wheel like Kelly Bires, Michael McDowell, Drew Herring, Brad Coleman and many others. The company has been successful with all their drivers in Nationwide and Cup as well as in the developmental series they run with drivers like Darrell Wallace Jr. and Max Gresham.

During their engine announcement though, president J.D. Gibbs said they could expand their Nationwide program and add a Camping World Truck Series program. Currently JGR driver Kyle Busch has his own CWTS team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, which has been very successful in the series by winning races and the owners championship last year.

If JGR creates their own truck team it would be doubtful that Busch would drive for them but can the same be said about Denny Hamlin or Joey Logano? Time will tell if JGR is serious about this adventure and who they have in mind for their driver lineup. Right now their focus is on making the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup and taking care of their engine issues and future deals.

But ...

What if Joe Gibbs Racing does start a CWTS team, who would you like to see them put in the driver's seat? #NASCAR

@tcmcdave Doug Williams.

@cruetten Cole Whitt

@rcracer20 i think @DWallaceJr6 would be a good choice he already drives for gibbs

@cmleedy Awesome choice! RT @cruetten: Cole Whitt

@smokinace88 McDowell

@The_Bumpdrafter who will they? Logano and Hamlin. Who should they? Try to pick up the Kenseth boy or the younger Dillon.

@jsmith123nv: @JustinJohnson51 would be a great choice and has proven he can drive

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) I'd love to see Johnny Benson drive for Gibbs. Proven winner, proven champion...perfect fit.

Tuesday, August 9th 'What If' Question

David Ragan, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, that's the current lineup for Roush Fenway Racing. At least for the next few years.

Right now those four drivers are under the watchful eye of Jack Roush, or the Cat in the Hat as he's known. Edwards, who is currently leading the Sprint Cup Series points, is often said to be the face of the organization with Kenseth being the veteran and champion. Three of the four drivers have won races this year and all four still have a shot at making the Chase one way or another.

While Roush is still working on sponsorships for some of the teams, things are set at the Cup level with those drivers in place. On the Nationwide Series side there are two other drivers waiting in the wings, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Bayne might for all intents and purposes be set with the Wood Brothers should he ever decide to come to Cup full-time. He won the season opening Daytona 500 with the team but he races for Roush in the NNS where he has yet to win.

Stenhouse Jr. on the other hand is having a dream season, at least so far. He's won two races and is leading the points. Coming off a year where he was taken out of the car but then came back to win Rookie of the Year, Stenhouse is making the most of every opportunity that's sent his way. This week both Bayne and Stenhouse said they are set for 2012 by most likely staying where they are.

Except, it's never too soon to start thinking about the future. Not just for Bayne and Stenhouse Jr. but for the entire RFR organization. Yes, with the four still signed for years to come it's always fun to wonder what RFR will one day become. Stenhouse and Bayne could very much move up with the company and become Cup stars or they could move to other teams and curve their own path that way.

After winning his first career race earlier this year in Daytona, the driver of the No. 6, David Ragan, is still trying to show people that he belongs in the Cup Series. When Biffle, Edwards and Kenseth move on he could become the face and future of the organization. Will he be teammates with young drivers who make their way into the series or with whoever becomes the biggest free agents in years to come?

But ...

What if Roush Fenway's lineup one day was Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Trevor Bayne, David Ragan & Ross Kenseth, top performer/driver is? #NASCAR

@HendrickGuy Ricky Stenhouse Jr. probably.

@JJohnson51Fan David ragan. He has the most expierance and would be a veteran by then

@mikegieseler Stenhouse Jr or Trevor Bayne....they're both hot new talent and getting better...edge to Stenhouse

Tim Kaufman (via Facebook) Big $$ @ Ross Kenseth! :)

Andy Marquis (via Facebook) Stenhouse.

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Hmmm, I'd say I'd give the advantage to Bayne as far as top performer. If you think about it, his toughness to come back from illness after having the biggest win of his life, coupled with Roush's constant commitment, he'd be hard not to bet against.

Andy Marquis (replying) Toughness doesn't win races. Talent does. Stenhouse has had less time in Nationwide than Bayne and has won more races. Bayne has one NASCAR win in a race that pretty much anyone in the field can win.

Tim Kaufman (replying) Bayne's pretty smart, though. He's earned the respect of Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon and other stars, while Stenhouse is already rattling cages w/ his teammate, Carl Edwards. I think we all know Sunday is the "BIG SHOW" and if ur not good @ give/take, you'll get taken alot more (See: Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, numerous others).

Andy Marquis (replying) I've seen lots of drivers come and go who have "earned the respect" of veteran drivers early on in their career... very rarely have those guys put up wins or championships. Drivers giving and taking and not racing hard is the reason the racing in the Sprint Cup Series generally sucks just about every race. I seem to remember veteran drivers not liking Gordon, Stewart, Kurt Busch and even Jimmie Johnson in their early careers. Those guys all have championships. How many YEARS did it take David Ragan, David Reutimann, Brian Vickers, Casey Mears, Paul Menard, Jamie McMurray (excluding Charlotte 2002) and Regan Smith to win races? And how many wins to those guys have a piece?

Tim Kaufman (replying) Jamie had his first win in his 2nd start @ Charlotte, subbing for the injured Sterling Marlin.

Andy Marquis ‎(replying) "excluding Charlotte 2002". How many years did it take for him to get a win after Charlotte? Answer: Five years.

Tim Kaufman (replying) Only time will tell..

Monday, August 8th 'What If' Question

In order for any team to be successful they need to have the right combination. People, parts and everything in between.

For Brad Keselowski and his Penske Racing team that seems to be the case this season as he's won two races and sits 18th in points, but most importantly he's in the first wildcard position for the Chase. Ask anyone this time last year if they ever thought Keselowski would be in this position they might have thought you were crazy.

In 2010 Keselowski's team struggled to put it mildly. They finished 25th in points and only had two top 10 finishes. Before the halfway point of the season team owner Roger Penske was already making an announcement about the company's future. Sam Hornish Jr. would be out of a ride, the No. 77 shut down for lack of sponsorship and performance. Kurt Busch would move from the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge to the No. 22 Shell / Pennzoil Dodge.

It moved Keselowski from the No. 12 team into the 2 car and Paul Wolfe was eventually promoted to be his crew chief. The two had just won the Nationwide Series title and Keselowski and Jay Guy weren't clicking. Heading into 2011 expectations were high for the newly reconfigured team.

It started with Busch winning two of the three races during Speedweeks in Daytona before Keselowski won a fuel mileage race at Kansas. Busch than answered back by winning at the road course in Sonoma before Keselowski won again this past weekend in Pocono.

Both drivers are looking toward the Chase and Keselowski has suddenly become a serious contender in the Sprint Cup Series. A driver that is not to be overlooked, even when he has a broken ankle.

But ...

What if Brad @Keselowski wasn't switched into the 2 car & Paul Wolfe wasn't promoted, does he still have the same success this year? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 No. Brad and Paul have "it."

@mikegieseler good what if... I'd say no, he probably wouldn't have same level of success

@smokinace88 Well... thats tough lets be honest here must first time cup drivers don't have the greatest seasons... Its not easy to tell If Brad would have had the same success had Jay Guy stayed or not.... I like to think it doesnt matter.. But.. Paul and Brad had great success with the nation wide program winning the 2010 Champion ship.. Hard to say... Sorry i wrote novel

@Talon64 Robert No way, the #12 team last year was total crap and big changes were needed. Guy/Keselowski didn't work at all.

@racecrazy what talon said haha

@MattEmbury The thing that's helped Penske? Downsizing the organization, keeping Hornish, dragged both Kurt and Brad last year. #NASCAR

@hillbillyDem I give @KurtBusch22 most of the credit for @Keselowski success this year, without his tirade this would've been a lost season

Thursday, August 4th 'What If' Question

It wasn't the first time that it's happened but being one of those rare occurrences it became a big story.

Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway Brad Keselowski went to victory lane in the Nationwide Series race, how he got there though was a little more complicated. On the second to last restart Justin Allgaier's No. 31 caught on fire, he was running second at the time and would had lined up to the outside of race leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

After finally deciding to pull off of the racetrack, NASCAR did not order him to, Keselowski was moved into the second position. Except, he was running fourth at the time, on the outside of the second row. Elliott Sadler who was running third believed that he was going to be moving up a position, however NASCAR ruled that because the cars had already doubled up for the restart, it's the line that moves up, not the position. In this case, the outside line that Allgaier had been in moved up when he dropped out.

That's where all the trouble started. Should NASCAR have allowed the cars to double up when Allgaier should have been pulled off the track long before he was. There was also what some called the problem of NASCAR re-issuing the caution for Allgaier when they had already been given the one-to-go sign from the flag stand.

Either way, Stenhouse Jr. and Keselowski were on the front row and Sadler stayed third. On the restart Keselowski and Stenhouse got into a shoving match that Keselowski prevailed on, putting the NNS regular and dominate car on the night back to second and battling with Sadler. That's when Sadler got loose and spun and was the hit by the No. 33 of Austin Dillon, ending both their nights.

Keselowski went on to win another race for the Cup regulars, Stenhouse Jr. finished third and Sadler finished 16th. As Keselowski celebrated, foul was called by Sadler and others who said that Keselowski shouldn't have been able to restart where he did and because of it, the NNS regulars suffered. Sadler lost more points in the championship fight and Stenhouse Jr. was the strongest car of the night and most likely should have been celebrating his second win and earning maximum points.

NASCAR didn't back down from their explanation that once the cars lined up drivers may not pull out of line. They also referred to last year when Kyle Busch won a Nationwide race the same way. He was lined up fourth when Keselowski ran out of fuel, he then moved to second and won the race. Going forward this is a rule that some have said they would like to be looked out.

But ...

What If Elliott Sadler restarted second instead of third, would he still have wrecked & does Brad Keselowski still win from fourth? #NASCAR

@Lady31RCR Can't really say who would have won..or wrecked..I will say I HATE the move up rule..Elliott earned 2nd..BK did not!!

@ronsracing88 Sadler would have won and not wrecked. I still do don't understand how the 31 was allowed to line up for the restart on fire.

@cruetten Sadler would not have wrecked, and he would've gone on to win that race.

@MattEmbury Stenhosue wins the race, Sadler had nothing for him before the yellow. #NASCAR

@smokinace88 I think Brad could have or to be honest it could have been a duel for the win Ricky and Brad had the best cars IMHO

Monday, August 1st 'What If' Question

It will be dubbed the debut that never was.

After months of talk, hype and excitement Travis Pastrana was set to make his NASCAR debut in the Nationwide Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. That was until 48 hours before when Pastrana broke his right foot and ankle while attempting a trick at the X Games in California. Pastrana pulled out of the NNS event but still raced a Rally car on Sunday with hand controls.

The driver announced at the end of last season that he was going to be working his way into NASCAR for a new challenge. The Red Bull athlete lives his life to the extreme on both two and four wheels. A champion in motocross and supercross, Pastrana isn't afraid to go all out, trying new tricks or doing the impossible.

Moving to NASCAR would be the complete opposite, the goal being to keep all four wheels on the ground and learn the art of being smooth and steady. Pastrana has been serious about his intentions and goals though, he even became part owner of the NNS team. It's now called Pastrana-Waltrip Racing and has Boost Mobile as a sponsor.

Should Pastrana heal he's scheduled to run in six more NNS races, the next being Richmond on September 9. Until then, the longest wait until a debut continues, as does the hype and the talk.

But ...

What if @TravisPastrana had made his Nationwide Series debut on Saturday, what should we have expected from him? #NASCAR
@jlaracefan14 we could've witnessed a very awesome multi talented athlete run an awesome race! So bummed he did not debut!

@MattEmbury early bath for Pastrana, he would've DNF'ed (crash)

@Jim_Yoak Travis hitting the wall, Travis hitting other turcks. Travis hitting everything but the Indiana Lottery

@ronsracing88 He would of finished mid pack. It's going to take him a little time to get used the cars/tracks.

@Tmac2824 Top 10.

@NancyatStudioN We could have expected TP to go all out

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) if he learned anything from his last K&N East start at Loudon, the big thing would be to not be so aggressive early. he probably would have tried to take care of his equipment like he did at Irwindale in January.

Chuck Tolsma (via Facebook) Take care of race car and get as much seat time as possible.