Michael Waltrip

[madjack]

All, I keep up with is the race itself...the pre/post-race HYPE they push on the SPEED Channel has gotten as bad as WWE...I would love to see 'em go back to the days when the car they raced (or a very close version of) could be bought off the show room floor at the dealers...remember the 50'long winged Daytona Chargers and Superbirds...you could buy one from the dealer and pretend to be Richard Petty or ????????
madjack

[doug hodder]

I think it's some serious overreacting to a situation...I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but every team is constantly looking for an advantage whether it's mechanical or personnel. It's been going on in motorsports forever...I can see end of the line and a fine to start the race, but what they've done is a bit too much...Too bad Mike Helton doesn't go over to baseball and clean up some of the Barry Bonds of the sport...Doug

[Lesbest]

I think that the race teams should be allowed to build anything--run what you brung---for one race. Big engine, small engine, supercharger, turbogharger---anything. Pick the track, the miles, and the day. The one rule--YOU HAVE TO CARRY 10 CASES OF MOONSHINE WITH YOU, AND EVERY BROKEN JAR IS A PENALTY!! You couldn't clean the spit juice off the stands for years from the crowed this would draw, and you would see ALL kinds of cars, FUN HUH!!!!!

Les

[asianflava]

I'm entertaining a conspiracy theory. Toyota, in the big show? not in my domestic Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge contest.

They are all bleeding Billions of dollars and don't want any competition.

There are so many employees in the shop that any one of them could have sabotaged the manifold.

You guys realize that I'm being sarcastic here.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

It's been a very long time since a driver was barred from a race - does anyone have an answer to that one?

Tim Richmond -1988 Daytona 500... For failing a drug test.
Arguably the best driver to ever climb behind the wheel of a stock car. Sadly, he died of AIDS in 1989.

Hey SJ,
Who'd you crew chief for?... That is so cool!!!
Man... Take it easy on Stewart, he's my guy.

[rainjer]

Man... Take it easy on Stewart, he's my guy.

I knew I liked you for some reason.....

[madjack]

I like Smoke...hey rookie...lead, follow or get the hell outta my way...and that is just the way it goes...what antics...climbing a fence or pushing a slower driver out the way...ya do what ya gotta do...ever been to the Sat night feature at the local dirt track!!!!
madjack

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Although NASCAR might have over reacted to "save" the sport, I think it hasmade the point clear and now needs to see what happens.
NASCAR is trying to be a Noble sport that was originally derived from a bunch of outlaws, whiskey runners, etc. ( not bad people) The image has become more wholesome over the years and the "NASCAR family" has become tighter than ever.
Every driver, team owner and team members suffer from these set backs. I hope they haven't set a precedense that will evoke these extreme penalties throughout the season.

I just wish that other professional sports organizations had the guts to do similar things to their members.
Between the baseball (steriods), NBA and NFL drug abuse and other sports villans, I think that it would be a very good thing if they followed NASCAR'S lead in craking down of the participants.

I like Michael Waltrip (and Darrell) and have a lot of respect for the individuals over the years. I really feel sorry for guys like DJ and the other drivers who have made an enormous impact on the sport of auto racing.

I hope NASCAR doesn't lose its mind over the rules because it will probably loose fans as well. Some of the mytique in racing is pushing the rules as was mentioned before. It all must be done, however, with the intention of making things better overall.

Finally, I wonder if this cheating was done (in any way) as a retaliation of the "TOYOTA brand" entering the flagship event in the sport.

I don't remember the flap over the truck series.

[Sierrajack]

Dean,
Good job - Tim Richmond, eh? I was a Crew Chief on several cars throughout my years. I never got to the "Cup" level because I really never wanted to and the fact that I was advancing in years. We raced at Pike's Peak International, Phoenix and several tracks throughout Nevada, Utah, California and Washington. I was with the Intermountain Late Model Series and even was the President for a little over a year. We had to be NASCAR licensed as did the tracks so we fell under the gun. Racing at P.P.I.R. for the first time with NASCAR had them really scared because of the speeds we were capable of so they limited us to a 390 carb and 4:10 gears. I was really geared up for and had prepared for speeds of at least 180 but the NASCAR limits had us down to about 135 MPH (just as fast as the Busch cars). Yeah, I do know something about short tracks - just love 'em...... We always did well at the "speedways" and I think that was our best moments. I was the Crew Chief on the #77 car driven by Gary Porter for years. I have to applaud the Cup CCs for the effort and hours they put in and I think they give up their lives for about 50 weeks out of the year. Got to know many of the Cup and Busch drivers and I think Ken Schrader is the ultimate driver - personable, down to earth and drives anything with wheels - neat guy.... (drinks beer too)
Yep, we went through the "room of doom" with NASCAR but if you play the game and at least act like you are sympathetic and not a jerk, you usually get off just by fixing the problem. Now adding rocket fuel oxidizers, playing with air bleed holes and other such antics can get you in a heap of trouble. I got "caught" with a carb spacer made out of phenolic instead of aluminum and they said that was a no-no, tagged it with car number and names and placed it on a table for all to see. I quickly found an aluminum spacer and fixed the problem on the spot. I didn't cheat, I just forgot about the darn spacer. From then on, we read the rule book every week and cross checked each other to make sure that Uncle Nasty wouldn't catch us.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

SJ,
You got that right about Ken Schrader... He's about as down to earth as they come.
I met all the active drivers of that time and there were only two of them who were what I'd call shmucks. (Off camera and out of view)
I'd catch a bunch of flack if I said who...

[Sierrajack]

Dean,
Sent you a PM...

SJ

[weasel]

Nascar always like to '' sweep it under the rug '' like they did Rob Moroso in the 80's. Not a mention of his Rookie of the year at the show. Because of drinkin' the night he wrecked. Hasn't been the same since Dale and gettin' worse.

[Bobgorilla]

Seems like all these years there has been kind of a "game" going on between nascar and the teams, a game of don't get caught or we'll slap your hand. Now nascar ain't playin anymore. It's unfortunate that a traditional part of the sport causes such controversy and I believe that the fans lose as much as the "guilty" teams.

[Sierrajack]

You know, it looks like I stirred up something with this Michael Waltrip deal. Guess stock car racing and camping appeals to the majority of honest, hard working Americans who just like to escape the hum-drum work world now and again. Just plain good folks!!

[IndyTom]

Guess stock car racing and camping appeals to the majority of honest, hard working Americans who just like to escape the hum-drum work world now and again. Just plain good folks!!

Don't you know it SJ. They are the two great American past times. I am just praying that I can scrape up the cash to get my TTT finished in time for the Brickyard this year. It would be great to skip that race day traffic.

Tom