Ryan's Nascar

Martinsville,Texas, Rowdy on ice, & a Plug for Jimmy C's Nascar!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Reid) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:53:00 +0000

Martinsville

Let me start this post by saying, "Martinsville was just about all I hoped it would be and more!" Except the ending! As an Earnhardt fan, I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't dissapointed with the end result. I'll be honest and confess I turn into some naive big kid when I see my team dominate in a race as they did in Martinsville! I just want that magical ending to finish it off!

Texas

Gang, what a year this is that I could find myself dissapointed with 6th place! It feels good to be on a winning team! How Ironic would it be if Earnhardt won his first race with Hendrick Motorsports at Texas!? I think it would almost freak me out, to tell you the truth. Folks, it might just happen! Then we would be saying first Nationwide (Busch) win, first cup win, and first win for Hendrick all summed up in one word, Texas!

Rowdy on Ice

Kyle, AKA Rowdy, needs to watch out for the ol black ice, b/c I think he has just hit it twice! I wasn't going to pick on the kid, but I can't help but comment! I (please no stones) actually always liked Fox and am actually a DW fan, but he always seems to have a new pet, which soon becomes the Fox sports pet! I have a previous article, The Dale Earnhardt driver of the year award, which talks about one trophy, but now I have an idea for another! The DW Pet of the year award! One year it would have been Kurt, another year Carl, and of course Jimmie would have won as well. All good drivers and deserving of praise! If someone is talented, winning, a champion and running up front every week, they deserve to get talked about, but it can get ran into the ground. Folks, poor Kyle has been run into the ground to the point of causing nausea! The kid is talented and can drive a real loose race car (one week he is the next Richmond and the other the next Earnhardt), but this isn't the Drifting Motorsports series! Plus, he just bit the dust twice (nationwide @ Nashville/ Truck @ Martinsville), so enough is enough!

Jimmy C's article on the Bobby Labonte Rumors (and a plug for his site)

My final rant was going to be on General Mills and RCR, along with all the Bobby Labonte rumors, but I just ran into a Blog that sums it up better than anybody! Yeah, this last section is now a plug! He is a fellow Earnhardt fan with his own blog, who writes with Espn like quality! He is Jimmy C and his blog is Jimmy C's Nascar! Check out his site, b/c I promise you as a Nascar fan you won't regret it! Anyways, he has several articles from different angles on the breaking RCR/General Mills news, but my favorite was, Bobby Labonte to RCR in 2009?

An Article about Dale Jr's Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr by Yahoo's Jerry Bonkowski

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Reid) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:30:00 +0000

Stop sweating the other Junior

By Jerry Bonkowski, Yahoo! Sports Mar 19, 9:32 pm EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is fifth in the standings, far ahead of his other three teammates, including two-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson.

Earnhardt is also tied for the series lead in number of top-five (three) and top-10 (four) finishes – including showings of second, third and fifth in the past three races.

After five races, that seems like a pretty darned good start to the season. So, can someone please tell me why so many fans are ragging on Earnhardt’s crew chief, Tony Eury Jr.?

Since the third race of the season at Las Vegas, I’ve heard it from fans chastising Eury. The rants range from melancholy to downright nefarious.

How could Eury do this or not do that? What’s up with the unusual pit sequences, not calling for tires when he “should” or keeping Earnhardt on the track longer than he “should”?

There’s also criticism of the radio banter between the two Juniors. To critics, it seems Junior the driver wants one thing, but Junior the crew chief wants another.

Hold your horses right there, naysayers, because frankly, Eury Jr. is doing nothing wrong.

Sure, some of his calls may seem strange and inordinate at the time. And yes, he and Junior like to go at each other on the radio like a couple of old farmhouse hens.

What’s new about that?

Ever since Eury became assistant crew chief to Earnhardt at DEI in 2000, they’ve had a history of highly-charged banter and repartee – particularly when Eury was promoted to Earnhardt’s crew chief late in 2005.

So what’s the problem, Junior fans? Why are so many of you all but calling for the head of the second Junior in this equation?

If anything, you should be applauding both Juniors for what they’ve accomplished thus far in their ride at Hendrick Motorsports.

While Johnson sits in 13th place, Jeff Gordon right behind in 14th and Casey Mears a distant 33rd, the two Juniors have all but carried the Hendrick organization this season when it comes to performance.

I know Dale Jr. fans are hungrier than ever for success. I know they want more wins and a Cup championship, like yesterday. That’s understandable.

But let’s put expectations in perspective.

Both Juniors are with an organization that is completely unlike their former home, Dale Earnhardt Inc. For the first time in their careers, they have virtually unlimited resources, the best parts and equipment that money can buy, and a supporting cast of over 550 of the brightest technological minds in NASCAR.

Yet, Tony and Dale are still learning their ways together. They’ve gone from being a pair of hungry kids staring through a front window of a fancy restaurant to sitting inside at the best table nibbling on caviar and escargot.

If things were truly bad, as some fans have made things out to be, don’t you think Dale Jr. would be the first to be calling out Tony Jr.?

Look back to Sunday’s race at Bristol. Once again, Eury made a call to keep Earnhardt on the track rather than pit for tires late in the race. While the two Juniors debated that strategy over the radio, the guy behind the wheel didn’t overrule the guy on the top of the pit box.

What’s more, after the race Earnhardt said that even if they had stopped for tires, he still likely would have finished where he did (fifth), if not worse.

Everyone knows that Eury needs Earnhardt, not the other way around. And if there ever comes a time that Rick Hendrick needs a scapegoat to take the fall for a lack of success for Earnhardt, it’s going to be Eury.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Eu…
Getty Images - Feb 24, 7:20 pm EST

But we’re not even close to that happening. In fact, the opposite is true.

Whatever you may think of the decisions Eury has made this season, the fact remains that Earnhardt is fifth in the points.

So, relax Earnhardt Nation. Your guy is going to win big real soon, perhaps as early as next weekend at Martinsville.

If not there, given his history at the next three tracks on the schedule – Texas, Phoenix and Talladega, where he has a combined eight Cup wins in his career – I’d be very surprised to not see both Juniors in victory lane in the next month.

Maybe even more than once.

And then all those calling for Eury’s head will suddenly anoint him as the greatest crew chief in the game.

This is just how it is when you sit atop Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pit box. They’re throwing f-bombs at you one day, roses the next.

Earnhardt's Cassill!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Reid) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:28:00 +0000

Easter Intro

I'll start off by saying Happy Easter! This being an off week for cup, I didn't want to write an article full of the same recycled conversations. We did have the Nashville Nationwide race on Saturday and I did happen to find one hidden gem to highlight. Yep, Earnhardt's Cassill!

The next hotshoe!

Now most of us are all getting well acquainted with Brad Keselowski and I might be writing an article on him before it is all said & done! As far as Brad is concerned, he is a neat young man and looks poised to have a great year, but this article is going to about another young talent. Landon Cassill is a name we will all be getting really familiar with sooner rather than later!

The guest of the week

This year the Nationwide 5 car has been the guest car! Superstar guests at that! We have had Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Truex Jr, and are anticipating the likes of Jimmie Johnson! We all can't wait to find out who is going to guest star in the 5 each week! At Nashville we saw a driver in the 5 who to most fans may provoke a, "who and a huh? " He is the the unknown Landon Cassill, a kid still wet behind the ears, that will soon be the main man and regular sitting in the Nationwide 5 seat! I think by the time all the dust clears, Landon Cassill will be known as a hotshoe driver following a trail blazed by the likes of Martin Truex Jr and Brad Keselowski! The sky might just be the limit for this kid!

A little background on Landon

A little background on Landon reveals that he has been handpicked and groomed by Hendrick Motorsports! Trust me folks, Hendrick has an eye for talent and they say this kid is the real deal! He has been tearing up the tracks through out all the circuits he has come up from and is ready to be Earnhardt Jr's next big star!

Nashville's new sound

Nashville, saw a decent race for Landon, and positive signs that he will live up to his billing. I haven't got the full race report for the 5 yet, but from what I saw 19 th wasn't a bad finish for Landon! He looked good for most of the race and will get enough seat time this year with about 16 races I believe, to have him ready to go full time in the 5 by next year.

The conclusion= full time in 09

I guess Hendrick/Jr Motorsports will have to come up with a third Nationwide car to be the guest star car for 2009, b/c this guy's got talent, resources and an Earnhardt in his corner! Nough said!

Hendricks' April Fools!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Reid) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +0000

Hendrick's slump

Everybody is worried about Hendrick! They are in a slump and something is wrong! Folks, I just have one thing to say about that, "April Fools!" Before I continue this blog, let's just mention that Dale Earnhardt Jr is 5th in points, Jeff & Jimmie 13th-14th, & Casey 33rd. To go further let's put it in context just a bit.

The context (a little background)

First of all, every year we find Hendrick's in the game! At the same time every year looks different, but the one thing that always remains the same is that Hendrick Motorsports is in the hunt by years end. Last year was so over the top for Hendrick that even a good year will end up looking like a slump. Also, they had a jump on the rest of the field in regards to the car of tomorrow! While the rest of the field worked on catching up towards the end of the season, Jeff Gordon & Jimmie Johnson were concentrating on a Championship. As far as Earnhardt goes, we will get to him further on in this blog! Oh, yeah Casey, we will mention him as well. We have established a little bit why Hendrick at this point hasn't dominated, but what about wins?

Wins

We understand that the rest of the field has caught up, but why hasn't Hendrick won a race yet? Even that little statistic is a bit deceptive! Hendrick had some things roll their way last year in the added luck department, where this year they haven't. In Daytona, Hendrick was overshadowed by Toyota, otherwise they would have looked like the class of the field with Jeff and Dale! Even with out teammates left in the race, Dale was only a few moves away from sweet victory! I can only wonder what would have happened if Casey wouldn't have pulled out in front of Stewart as Earnhardt was pushing him to the front! Or if Junior would have started in front of Newman instead of behind him on the restart! Would that have been Junior in victory lane instead of Newman? We can only speculate, but the point is that Hendrick could have had a win! Plus, Jeff Gordon had a great car as well, but had rare race ending car issues! What about Jimmie, would he have come to the front at the end if it weren't for the wreck? On to California, would Jimmie Johnson won had Carl not had such a hot rod? Don't even ask me about what might have been under the 99 hood? Not to mention, that Jeff Gordon finished right behind Jimmie! Track issues caused Mears to wreck and this collected Earnhardt! Where would Earnhardt have finished? We will never know! Let's go to Vegas! Earnhardt was robbed and should have got himself a championship belt, not Edwards! Don't even get me started! Nevertheless, Earnhardts toughness, great attitude, and handling it like a man made me feel a whole lot better! Ok, on to Hotlanta! Earnhardt, was the class of the field at Atlanta, but I think they might of tweaked themselves out of the game a bit as far as winning the race. A great top 5 finish, though! Bristol, top 5 finish, but could have had the win in my opinion, had they pitted for fresh tires! Jimmie had a car that could have contended for the win, but late race contact changed his car enough to take him out of the game! Now let's take a look at the stats, had the wind blown our way a bit (yes I'm a confessed Earnhardt and Hendrick fan!)

Had the wind blown our way a bit

Pick one, either Junior pushes Stewart to the front, then beats him to win, or was declared ahead of Newman before the caution was waved (starting ahead of Ryan on the restart)! Dale Jr wins Daytona! Ok, let's take out the Carl factor (gang I like Carl, but I'm not so sure he didn't have things juiced up underneath the hood, so I want to play the what if game for a second). Jimmie Johnson wins California! Dale Earnhardt Junior wins Las Vegas baby! Ok, another what if! What if the 88 had been on their A game at Atlanta as far as adjustments go? Dale Jr, wins Atlanta and his second in a row! One more what if for ya! What if Dale Jr went in for 4 fresh tires? I think he would have won folks! Dale Jr wins 3 in a row folks and gets his 4th win of the year! Talk about dominance! Oh yeah, by the way, Hendricks has won every race so far! Point is let's be very careful before we join the bandwagon and decry that Hendrick is in a slump! Guys, know this has been won long article, but we are not done yet! Now we are going to take it driver, by driver.

Jeff Gordon

Oh how the mighty have fallen! Yeah, if you buy into all the articles being spit out lately! Jeff would have had at least a top 5 at Daytona (at worst a top 10) had it not been for his suspension problem! He finishes third at California! Had a top 5 in the bag at Vegas, but kind of got a raw deal! Point is that Vegas for Jeff was due to a racing incident, not a bad race car! At Atlanta Jeff Gordon got a top five! Bristol saw Jeff Gordon just miss getting a top 10 with an 11th place finish! If that is considered a bad race and for Jeff it is, than watch out! What I find scary is the fact that even with some bad luck, Gordon is only 2 places from 12th in the point standings! Plus it is still early!

Jimmie Johnson

At Daytona, he was coming before he got caught up in a wreck! California saw the 48 team finishing second! They had one bad race and that was Vegas! Normally, a good track for them, but with all the changes with this new car totally missed the setup. Even the best have a bad day and in my opinion the 48 team is the best! Notice, I didn't say driver, but rather team! Jimmie is one of the best drivers, Chad knaus in my opinion is the best crew chief period and the 48 team has been the best unit in all of Nascar for the last several years! In Atlanta, Jimmie finishes in 13th place a lap down b/c the front cars where lapping the field. It is hard to sneak into the top 10 a lap down and rare to be a lap down while in 13th place! At Bristol, Jimmie had a top 5 car easy, but his encounter with Burton, changed his car for the worse! Don't be surprised when you see the 48 back on their A game, because they will be!

Dale Earnhardt Jr

Beyond, what I have already mentioned about potential wins and dominance above, the facts are good enough! Fact, Dale Jr is the best Hendrick driver going right now! Fact Dale Jr is 5th in the points and moving up! Fact, Dale jr has 3 top 5's in a row and we will never know about California due to ineptness on the part of the Track owners! Fact, even though Daytona didn't blow his way, he still came out of it with a top 10! Fact, the 88 has been the most consistent team in the field! Watch out, b/c it will not be long before the 88 will be ripping out the wins!

Casey Mears

I'm sick of people indicating that he doesn't fit the Hendrick mold. Is he 33rd in the point standings? Yes! Is their more to that story than meets the eye? Yes! First, let me state one thing! Casey has had 3 different crew chief's for three different seasons in a row, so let's keep that in mind before we throw him under the bus! Now, let's take a look underneath the hood of Casey's season so far! Daytona, should have at least been a top 10 for Casey, maybe even a top 5! He got a little impatient and made a bit of a mistake. He tried to make something happen and it resulted in a crash that gave him a bad finish. Was it Casey's fault? The spotter's fault? I really don't know? What I do know is that Casey will learn and improve at the restrictor plate tracks. California was not Casey's fault in my book, but it really made his stats look bad. Sometimes we just look at the stats and not the why behind the stats! Las Vegas, saw him kind of collide with Jeff Gordon a bit, but he managed to hang on to finish 13th. Even though he finished 17th at Atlanta, it really wasn't that bad of a finish if you consider Tiregate! Finally, Bristol saw Mears having a good day before his car got tight and he got collected in a typical Bristol wreck. Allan is good crew chief and Mears can drive, so let's not be to hard on Casey yet!

The conclusion, April Fools!

I'm going to use the phrase look under the hood one more time here gang! B/c when we look under the hood of Hendrick's season thus far it reveals a different story then what we have been hearing! Everyone's thinking slump, but we will soon see the wind change! Hendrick Motorsports is about to bust out of the gate and when they do the story will change! Is Hendrick Motorsports in a slump? April Fools, they are a coming!