by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Will he or won’t he? You know this NASCAR season has been like those TNT network commercials, “We Know Drama.” It seems that for the past several years it has been like that, and I just wonder what happened to the previous years when drama wasn’t a term that would be used when writing or talking about a NASCAR season. Back then, I wasn’t the renowned NASCAR columnist that I have become. I watched it and read other writers’ articles and enjoyed racing to the fullest. Now I try to keep up with things more, and it is apparent that the word “drama” has become more and more relevant.
It seems that Brian France is getting what he has intended from the beginning with his tenure of running NASCAR and ISC: More fans, different kinds of fans and younger fans, which all adds up to, you guessed it, MORE MONEY!
The 2007 season has been the most dramatic season right from the beginning, when Michael Waltrip cheated trying to get his new sponsor into the Daytona 500. Mark Martin is having his best season in years and saying all along he thought it was his ability, although it turned out to be his equipment. Martin was in the top ten for the first few weeks and we wondered: Will he change his mind and run a full schedule and make the Chase? What about Kevin Harvick having all those Shell logos on his car and uniform, making the Sun Oil Company look bad? NASCAR stepped up and tamed that down. Then the bomb dropped on DEI: Junior wanted 51% of his dad’s company or he was walking away from the #8 and Bud.
If that wasn’t drama enough for several weeks, with the headlines full of the stuff going on between Junior, Kelly and DEI, then I don’t know drama. Finally, he announced that this was his last season at DEI and then it started all over again with, “Where’s Junior going next year?” We know that part now, but who is the sponsor and what is the car number going to be? Man, I am really sick of this crap. It has since been said that he’ll drive the number 81 Mountain Dew car for Hendrick in 2008, but just when I think the Dale Earnhardt Jr. stuff is about to blow over, here comes, “Will Junior be in the Chase?” ENOUGH ALREADY, PLEASE! The answer is “no,” and not just “no,” but “Hell No, he won’t be in the Chase for 2007.”
The reason is that there has been too much damn drama in Junior’s life this season, but I will commend him for getting as close as he has with all the crap he has been through this year. Junior fans will just have to wait until next year at Hendrick Motorsports, but I hate to bust your bubble because he won’t make it next year, either. Not unless NASCAR ups the number of drivers in the Chase again, like they did this year. I really don’t see how he can start off with a new team and have the expectations of being in the top 12 after 26 races. Heck, it’s going to take longer than that for his team to get it together, since they’re the new guys in the shop. I don’t care what Rick Hendrick or any of his new teammates said, they know it will be awhile before he can be a contender with Hendrick Motorsports.
Now that all that drama with Junior should be over with, lets look at Joe Gibbs Racing going over to Toyota. I haven’t heard what Tony Stewart has to say about it yet. I still can’t figure that out, but then again, since they are a major team and have not taken on a partner, I guess it’s a money thing. It ain’t final yet, but Kyle seemed to spill it the other day, so maybe it will be by the time this gets to print.
More drama in the AT&T vs. NASCAR, with Richard Childress saying he ain’t mad at NASCAR and doesn’t plan to sue them, but he has options of others he can take to court. Yeah right, like he could afford taking AT&T or Sprint to court, and why would it be either of them? AT&T ain’t done nothing but back you up all along, and Sprint is just doing their company thing, like Ma Bell, but they have the nuts when it comes to a contract.
Richard, who’s that contract with? You know, the one with the part about no other telecommunications companies entering NASCAR but the ones that are already in when the papers are signed? Come on Richard, don’t be a Dick, its NASCAR’s fault you are probably going to lose sponsorship for the 31 car. Why not sue them? Then again, they got big long money lawyers in their shop. Who you got, Ben Matlock? Like I said, this has got to be the biggest drama (or trauma) filled season I have ever seen. It seems to bring in new fans, but it also chases away old fans, and they’re the ones that have made NASCAR what it is for more than 50 years. Does Mr. Brian France care about that? I don’t think so.
I sure missed a good race Saturday, what with almost half the field out of the race by the end. I wish I’d watched it and not Sunday’s race, cause it was boring to me. It did have its moments there with Waltrip going out in flames. I felt real bad about the way I talked about him last week and called him all those names. Yesterday, I was really scared for Mikey when he took so long to get his butt out of that car and the NASCAR officials seemed to take forever to get that fire out. Don’t ya’ know he didn’t want the NAPA brand on TV that way? You know he’ll be practicing getting his long self out of the car this week. I thought the crash he had near his house would have taught him to get out of the car quicker, but I guess it didn’t. Dude, get to working on that, will ya’?
Did the stands at California look a little empty to y’all? I can’t blame fans for not filling them up, because I wouldn’t be there with the temperature at 103 degrees at race time. Man, that’s hot. All the teams, drivers, officials and TV commentators were wearing those diver suits and jackets. Ain’t no way. Ol’ Dale Jarrett sure looked cool up there in the booth, didn’t he? And just where was Rusty? I missed that part. You know, I’ve been talking about my new 42-inch TV, and last week I got to watch Bristol on it, but this week was just like I had hoped. I could see the whole dang track from end to end, and what a picture it had! Now all I’ve got to do is get the surround sound hooked up and it will be like sitting in turn one. I also felt like I partly brought this race to y’all since I bought a Sharp Aquos. You’re welcome.
Well Rooster decided he’s retiring after this year, and after starting his 900th Cup race, he hurt his shoulder in a crash, so he may not start next week. If he doesn’t, who will seat the 88? I know, Kenny Wallace. It seems that Robert might have talked to him about racing for RCR next year, so here ya’ go KW, check her out for a couple until Ricky gets back in shape. Now, I like Kenny, and he’s a funny guy with some talent at driving a Cup car, but Yates has also been rumored to be talking to JJ Yeley about driving duties. Hey Yates, how ‘bout Marlin or Schrader, and if right field opens up, you could get one of my favorites, Jimmy Spencer. I mean heck Robert, do you have a young driver development program? I don’t think so, so go with them old guys. They can still drive them Fords.
That’s all for me for this week, but you know there will be plenty more drama in the next eleven races. If it keeps up, I just don’t know how I’ll stand it. I’ve been on the edge of my favorite chair for the past 6 or 7 months. Please NASCAR, give an old guy a break and let me just watch some real good racin’. One more thing, and that is for me to say “thank you,” to Jax City Subs for the good grub and the faithful readers. Okay, if y’all have it or feel the need to contact me, do it at tinynascars@yahoo.com, and here’s my drama: If it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!
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