by Passin' and Sassin'  |  About The Author   |  Discuss

The only constant in life is change, and that is more evident than ever this year in NASCAR. Silly season doesn’t seem adequate to describe the changes this year in NASCAR. From sponsors, to business partners, to crew chiefs, and now the obvious big-name driver changes have all started to change and you better have your scorecard in pencil, because true to form, nothing is sacred this year. The only thing probably not changing is Brian France – but that’s another article.

The biggest headline this week was Tony Stewart leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to partner with Gene Haas to form Stewart-Haas Racing. Was this a good decision for Tony? A second rumor has Ryan Newman driving for the Stewart-Hass venture.  What are your thoughts and opinions on this?

Shannon Poe:  Stewart has to make whatever decision he needs to for his long-term career.  I think he has made a good one in terms of whichever way the venture goes, no matter what he has options.  On the Penske Racing South issue—well they have been less than consistent over the years.  I would like to see Ryan Newman make a move. I think that something has to jumpstart in his career as well.

Christina Ribbeck: When the rumors first started about this, I was not thrilled with the idea of Tony leaving JGR, after the 10 great years he has had with them.  Since the announcement came out and I’ve heard Tony speak and read numerous articles about his new team, I am truly happy for him and I know he’s made the right decision.  Tony said it best when he talked about that it’s very hard for a driver to just retire and walk away from racing.  With his new team, he can retire from racing when he’s ready and still be involved with the sport.  Ryan would be a great asset to the Stewart Haas Racing team.  Ryan has a lot of talent; unfortunately, something is amiss at Penske Racing.  I’ll make a prediction now, Stewart Haas Racing (once everything is in place) WILL be a top team in NASCAR.

Chris Campbell: I am not surprised he did this, as I had heard that this was happening a bit ago. However, I still wonder about the ability to make it a top-notch team within 3 years – considering the competition is so tough (ask Penske, DEI and Ganassi). I am also wondering how much might change when Gene Haas is released from prison. I am glad that Tony is back with Chevrolet though. As far as Ryan Newman possibly signing on as the 2^nd driver for Stewart-Haas, I think he is a good choice if he does get reunited with Matt Borland. Newman just hasn’t been the same since Borland left Penske. I really wonder what is going on at Penske, they just haven’t had the stuff this year or in recent history – despite the Daytona and NH wins – which were more luck and pit decisions than having the best equipment.

Martin Truex, Jr was penalized by NASCAR 150 points which dropped him more than one full race from making the Chase. Do you think this penalty was “fair”, and do you think he is now too far back from making the Chase. Will this sour him on renewing his contract with DEI?

Shannon Poe:  Nasty penalty, but consistent from the dictatorship known as NASCAR.  Penalties continue to get harsher with each passing season.  Are any COT penalties fair?  Now, you can’t seem to make any adjustments or changes and gain any type of knowledge or advantage.  These cars are becoming crap, which is a shame considering they have such a good safety rating, and have every opportunity to become a choice car in the sport.  From the beginning of this season, we have had one huge problem:  the current leader checks out and moves into its own zip code until green flag pit stops or the last 30 laps of the race when a series of cautions tighten up the field.  This is not racing, this is just the Kyle Busch show.  I believe that Truex Jr is not one bit interested in signing with DEI, but he’s stuck with them since they have the option and where can he go at this stage of the game? 

Christina Ribbeck: NASCAR said since the COT came into racing, penalties would be higher than normal. They do not want teams to mess with the cars. Since NASCAR made that announcement, I do think it was fair. It’s been pretty much the same for all the teams that have been caught this year (and even last year).  I think he can make the chase, it will be very difficult, but we all know that anything can happen; top teams can falter drastically and Martin can have a run of good luck and move him up in the standings. While watching the interview they had with Martin about his thoughts on the penalty, you could see the anger and frustration in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I truly think Martin is done with DEI after this year.

Chris Campbell: NASCAR has been consistent this year with the penalties (surprisingly). I’m curious as to why the templates fit at the shop but not at the track. If Martin is to make the Chase at this point, he needs to really be a top 5 driver every week and hope the other drivers ahead of him have some bad luck. He’s not mathematically out, but the chances are slim. As far as his contract, I hear the frustration in his voice, just like we did with Dale Earnhardt Jr. last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he reversed his decision to stay and took a ride with one of the prime seats now available in NASCAR.

Speaking of DEI, do you feel there is any truth to the hot rumor that DEI is looking for business backing?

Shannon Poe:  It depends on whom you wish to believe.  If you believe the meanderings of Max Siegel, the “Director of Global Operations” (translation: glorified and highest paid PR man in the business) then there is no truth to any of it.  Fortunately, I wouldn’t believe that man if his tongue came notarized.  I suspect that Mrs. Earnhardt made some serious miscalculations on exactly how much revenue went out the door with her most popular stepson.  Let’s backtrack: after the announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s departure DEI scrambles into a merger with Ginn Racing (or a takeover, since the only thing that really happened was they inherited a couple more teams and discontinued use of the name “Ginn” after the deal was complete), and DEI joined forces with RCR to build engines.  After several explosions and duds, we the fans don’t hear much about that venture, and Ginn Racing…did they ever exist?  HA!  Both of these ventures require money to start them, and more money to sustain them.  Two things that DEI was running out of when Earnhardt Jr exited stage left.  Not to mention fans turning their backs on a company and waking up to the realization that there was no use pledging allegiance to someone who clearly does not have Dale Earnhardt’s legacy in his children at heart.  Having accomplished all of that in a span of less than a year, what else is there for Teresa Earnhardt to do?  I would not be surprised if she threw in the towel and sold the company, there really is not much that woman can do that surprises me anymore.  I will say this—a business partner is not what she’s looking for.  Either she runs the show, or she doesn’t.  Bank on that.

Christina Ribbeck: Don’t you just love rumors in NASCAR?  Lately 99% of the rumors have been true, in some way or another.  I’m sticking with the 99% thing and saying yes, DEI is looking for business backing and I’m pretty sure they will get some.  They need to do something over there, otherwise DEI won’t be around in 5 years or less.   

Chris Campbell: I certainly hope and believe this is just rumor. I understand without some cash inflow of substantial proportions, a team is a race away from closing shop. It’s a known fact that Teresa’s expertise is not on the racing side of the company, but with the business and marketing side – which would make me skeptical if it went that far in debt that it would need some financial backing. This is specifically after last year when Dale Earnhardt Jr. was trying to obtain majority holdings, which would have meant a substantial amount of cash flow (I presume). If Dale Jr’s leaving, purchasing Ginn Racing, and going into partnership with RCR for engines left DEI that strapped for cash, then it wouldn’t have made business sense to complete those deals. I’m sure the economy has contributed to rising costs, but any financial advisor would or should have seen this happening a year ago and would have stated as such.

Kyle Busch, while winning seven races, seems to be getting more boos than his brother did during his championship run. What is your overall opinion of Kyle Busch and is there anything stopping him from getting his first championship this year?

Shannon Poe:  Kyle, Kyle, Kyle.  Well, the boy has skills and a desire to win and win some more.  I might give him a second glance if I didn’t have the Speed Channel, FOX, ESPN, and TNT stuffing him down my throat week after week.  Busch is that guy that refuses to lose, and despite my general contempt with him, I grudgingly have to admit a certain entertainment value to watching him.  As far as anything stopping him from taking the championship…sure, each racetrack has a surrounding wall; be my guest.

Christina Ribbeck: Kyle is growing on me and it’s not because of his winning all the time (I would love to see someone else win too).  Kyle is cocky, aggressive and full of himself, but he has the talent to back it up.  What he can do with a racecar is amazing and I for one have seen his great talent in person.  I was at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona and saw when he lost his steering; and how hard he drove and caught up to the field was unbelievable.  That usually does not happen at a restrictor plate race with no help.  Eventually he will grow up and settle down, but his talent will always be there.  Right now he has 70 additional points starting the chase, 50 more than Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne with 2 wins a piece (Carl loses 10 points from an earlier penalty). Yes a lot can happen and he could lose the chase, but deep down I think the title is his.

Chris Campbell: I am not a fan of Kyle, as I believe he is extremely arrogant – like his brother used to be. The comparisons between him and Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt are unfounded as Kyle’s career has just started and a handful of wins does not equal the career of either of these renowned racers. He is a good driver, but I’m not sure if I’d qualify him as a great racer. I can name a few other current drivers who rate higher than Kyle – as one season does not make a career in racing or any other sport for that matter. Hopefully the championship is not over already, it will not be good for the sport if there isn’t some feel of competition come September.

Chicago is the latest track to get lights for nighttime racing. Do you love or hate night racing?

Shannon Poe:  I greatly enjoy night racing.  Having been to more night races than day races, I find the atmosphere at the track interesting.  There’s a mystique to the sunset command to start the engines, the cars look shiny and sleek under the lights.  Drivers seem more refreshed and attentive.  Something about the heat of the day really takes the thunder out of people, and I find that at night, all is restored.

Christina Ribbeck: I LOVE NIGHT RACES!!!!!  There is just something so special about a night race.  It’s hard to explain, but I think every track should have lights and at least once run a night race.  Those tracks that have two races, one of those races should be under lights (although I think most of the 2 date tracks already do that).  I would rather attend a night race, then a daytime one (except for Bristol, I’d just be happy to go to either one).  I froze my butt of at Daytona a few years ago for the February Craftsman Truck Race at night and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Chris Campbell: I absolutely LOVE night racing. Not only is the racing more competitive, the cars shinier, but I have more time to watch the race without other interruptions from family and other necessities. I also enjoy having the whole day Sunday to get chores done and have family time. I wish they’d change all the races to Saturday night, with the Nationwide done during the afternoon. It would certainly cut down some costs for the teams and the fans.

If Joey Lagano moves up to Cup racing next year in the no. 20 car for JGR. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for a young driver.  What do you think of this younger revolution coming through NASCAR’s top series?

 Shannon Poe:  This country says that at age 18 you are legally an adult and responsible for your own actions.  I suppose we should respect that.  I’m more of a fan of letting the younger guns in the sport earn some seat time in another league like the Nationwide Series or the Elites—or just plain old dirt tracks.  Still, when the time is right, they know it, and who is to say that Lagano isn’t at that right time right this minute?  We will have to see.  Really, as long as he is respectful, and does his job, I have no complaint.

Christina Ribbeck: I think before anyone can come up to the Cup series full time, they should have to run a full 2 years in either the Craftsman Truck Series or the Nationwide Series.  Joey has driving experience, but not track experience and that is one of the most important things for a driver to learn.  By having Joey (or anyone else who comes along) having run a full 2 years in one series, he will not only get the car/truck experience, but he will have learned all about the tracks too.  I know Joey won his first Nationwide race after his 3^rd start, but I just don’t think JGR should put him in a full time Cup ride yet.  He still has a lot to learn.

Chris Campbell: I know that most people would argue that we are adults at 18, and I respect that. However, considering the danger involved if a mistake happens, I believe that 18 should be when the start their career in Nationwide and/or Truck Series and they have to complete two full seasons in one series (Nationwide or Truck) before being allowed to be promoted to Cup racing.

Do you have a question or comment? Email them to passin@speedwaymedia.com. This column is 100% opinions of our panel, and should not be considered facts or anyone else’s viewpoints outside of the women writing the article. J

You can contact Passin' and Sassin' at passin@speedwaymedia.com

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