http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/ This is the official home of NASCAR Collectors! en Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:37:22 GMT vBulletin 60 http://diecastcrazy.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/ http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/46-nascar-losing-another-legacy.html Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:20:05 GMT It's almost official. An agreement was reached today between Petty Enterprises and Bobby Labonte to go their separate ways. It's probably only a matter of days before the announcement comes that Gillette Evernham Motorsports has taken what's left of PE and merged it into their 3 car operation and become a 4 car stable. GEM will most likely keep the famed 43 on the track but it will no longer be a Petty run car.

NASCAR has basically closed the book on it's famed history and has started a new one. In the last eight years NASCAR has lost two major icons from it's past beginning with the untimely death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Richard Petty is still around, however, the team is almost threw digging their grave. Gone are the days of the guys working hard to make a living and pay for their race cars. No more Petty Enterprises, no black #3, and before long it would appear that the Wood Brothers will close up shop as well.

NASCAR's new book to reflect it's history as it is now will be all about corporations and political correctness. Brian France wanted to make a difference and make a name for himself. He succeeded but even he has been rumored to be moving on to other things. Brian may have brought a fresh perspective and youth to the reins of NASCAR but that's not what NASCAR was built upon and in my opinion he has failed to improve the sport. The sport continues to grow financially but how long will these corporations pour their money into the teams they bought out just to have their brand shown to a declining group of viewers? What happens when George Gillette wakes up and realizes that exposure from normal television ads is more adequate and inexpensive as having your name plastered on a NASCAR team? Ray Evernham has left, so who would run the team then?

As a fan of NASCAR, it's troubling to see the direction that NASCAR has taken. More and more owner's are dependent on investors but just as the casual fans come and go, who's to say these investors won't deem NASCAR as a failing choice of exposure. Maybe when Michael Waltrip finally retires from driving he can become NASCAR's Official Spokesperson. They sure need some more excitement than they're getting from the current leaders. How many more excuses can NASCAR give for declining ratings? I'm sure Michael could help out because we all know he's had plenty of chances for excuses everytime he wrecks a car and loses a race. He could even put a positive spin on things and maybe even make some positive changes! It's worked for Vince McMahon placing wrestlers in charge of the RAW brand and SmackDown brand int he WWE.

I'll never forget Petty Enterprises giving Bobby Hamilton the best break he had after joining the Winston Cup Series. I'll never forget that he won the first race in 1996 for PE in over 10 years and turned around and did it again in 97'. I'll never forget that PE gave Bobby the first of his 2 Top 10 finishes in the final standings in 1996. I'll also never forget the disagreement between Bobby and Kyle over who was receiving the good equipment and the failure as a driver that Kyle became at PE and the champion Bobby went on to be. Petty Enterprises is gone as we know it. NASCAR's famed history is all but wrapped up. Hopefully the series will make a turn for the best and write another exciting book in the future about the NASCAR of today. ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/46-nascar-losing-another-legacy.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/40-nascar-chase-elimination-results-11-16-2008.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:45:10 GMT *_2008 Chase Elimination Champion! _* 1 Kevin Harvick *_Eliminated _*2 Jeff Burton (Homestead) 3 Greg Biffle (Phoenix) 4 David Ragan... 2008 Chase Elimination Champion!

1 Kevin Harvick

Eliminated

2 Jeff Burton (Homestead)
3 Greg Biffle (Phoenix)
4 David Ragan (Phoenix)
5 Jimmie Johnson (Texas)
6 Kurt Busch (Texas)
7 Clint Bowyer (Atlanta)
8 Brian Vickers (Atlanta)
9 Jamie McMurray (Martinsville)
10 Bobby Labonte (Martinsville)
11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire) ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/40-nascar-chase-elimination-results-11-16-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/39-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-11-9-2008.html Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:01:58 GMT *_In Contention _* 1 Jeff Burton 2 Kevin Harvick *_Eliminated _*3 Greg Biffle (Phoenix) 4 David Ragan (Phoenix) 5 Jimmie Johnson (Texas) In Contention

1 Jeff Burton
2 Kevin Harvick

Eliminated

3 Greg Biffle (Phoenix)
4 David Ragan (Phoenix)
5 Jimmie Johnson (Texas)
6 Kurt Busch (Texas)
7 Clint Bowyer (Atlanta)
8 Brian Vickers (Atlanta)
9 Jamie McMurray (Martinsville)
10 Bobby Labonte (Martinsville)
11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire) ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/39-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-11-9-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/37-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-11-2-2008.html Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:21:04 GMT *_In Contention_* 1 Greg Biffle 2 Jeff Burton 3 Kevin Harvick 4 David Ragan *_Eliminated_* 5 Jimmie Johnson (Texas) In Contention

1 Greg Biffle
2 Jeff Burton
3 Kevin Harvick
4 David Ragan

Eliminated

5 Jimmie Johnson (Texas)
6 Kurt Busch (Texas)
7 Clint Bowyer (Atlanta)
8 Brian Vickers (Atlanta)
9 Jamie McMurray (Martinsville)
10 Bobby Labonte (Martinsville)
11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire) ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/37-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-11-2-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/36-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-26-2008.html Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:30:28 GMT *_In Contention_* 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Greg Biffle 3 Jeff Burton 4 Kevin Harvick 5 David Ragan 6 Kurt Busch *_Eliminated_* In Contention

1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Greg Biffle
3 Jeff Burton
4 Kevin Harvick
5 David Ragan
6 Kurt Busch

Eliminated

7 Clint Bowyer (Atlanta)
8 Brian Vickers (Atlanta)
9 Jamie McMurray (Martinsville)
10 Bobby Labonte (Martinsville)
11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire) ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/36-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-26-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/33-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-19-2008.html Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:20:29 GMT *_In Contention_* 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Greg Biffle 3 Jeff Burton 4 Kevin Harvick 5 Clint Bowyer 6 David Ragan 7 Brian Vickers 8 Kurt... In Contention

1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Greg Biffle
3 Jeff Burton
4 Kevin Harvick
5 Clint Bowyer
6 David Ragan
7 Brian Vickers
8 Kurt Busch

Eliminated

9 Jamie McMurray (Martinsville)
10 Bobby Labonte (Martinsville)
11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire)

]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/33-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-19-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/29-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-12-2008.html Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:52:00 GMT *_In Contention_* 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Greg Biffle 3 Jeff Burton 4 Kevin Harvick 5 Clint Bowyer 6 David Ragan 7 Brian Vickers 8 Kurt... In Contention

1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Greg Biffle
3 Jeff Burton
4 Kevin Harvick
5 Clint Bowyer
6 David Ragan
7 Brian Vickers
8 Kurt Busch
9 Jamie McMurray
10 Bobby Labonte

Eliminated

11 Carl Edwards (Charlotte)
12 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Charlotte)
13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire)

]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/29-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-12-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/27-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-5-2008.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:16:44 GMT *_In Contention_* 1 Jimmie Johnson 2 Carl Edwards 3 Greg Biffle 4 Jeff Burton 5 Kevin Harvick 6 Clint Bowyer 7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8... In Contention

1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Carl Edwards
3 Greg Biffle
4 Jeff Burton
5 Kevin Harvick
6 Clint Bowyer
7 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8 David Ragan
9 Brian Vickers
10 Kurt Busch
11 Jamie McMurray
12 Bobby Labonte

Eliminated

13 Kasey Kahne (Talladega)
14 Jeff Gordon (Talladega)
15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire)

]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/27-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-10-5-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/25-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-9-28-2008.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:40:19 GMT Ok, I got busy working on the board but now that I'm done I can get back to my idea. I missed 2 weeks but the eliminations that occured in the first 2 races are included in these standings. Here's where we would be as of now.

In Contention

1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Carl Edwards
3 Greg Biffle
4 Jeff Burton
5 Kevin Harvick
6 Jeff Gordon
7 Clint Bowyer
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9 David Ragan
10 Kasey Kahne
11 Brian Vickers
12 Kurt Busch
13 Jamie McMurray
14 Bobby Labonte

Eliminated

15 Tony Stewart (Kansas)
16 Martin Truex Jr. (Kansas)
17 Denny Hamlin (Dover)
18 Kyle Busch (Dover)
19 Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire)
20 Ryan Newman (New Hampshire)
]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/25-nascar-chase-elimination-standings-9-28-2008.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/23-chase-thing.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:51:17 GMT Well let me start out by saying that it's pretty obvious that NASCAR wanted some excitement for the Championship each year. When Nextel came on board, NASCAR had the opportunity to change and start something fresh. Ironically it was right after a season with a champion that wasn't a week in and week out winner, just a consistent driver.

We are in in our 5th year of the chase. Jimmie Johnson is threatening to win his 3rd straight. Obviously Chad and Jimmie have this thing figured out. NASCAR has tried to fix the chase by adding a few bonuses and 2 more drivers but Jimmie is still winning. How many championships will it take for NASCAR to make a drastic change to the points? They got what they wanted with a driver winning multiple times and winning the championship. No more Matt Kenseths. When does it all become a joke?

I still believe that NASCAR should use the elimination system. They wanted playoffs and their chase is not definition of a playoff as in other sports. I'm glad they want it to be exciting, but how many championships does the same driver have to win or compete for before they take a step back into reality and look at what they've created?

It's pretty obvious that I don't care for Jimmie, but that's not the reasoning for my rants on the chase. If it were Tony I'd probably feel differently but all opinions would still apply. ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/23-chase-thing.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/19-new-chase-idea.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:42:38 GMT It was nice reading a brand new blog this morning. Thanks Ken, for some new content! While reading and understanding where he was coming from it... It was nice reading a brand new blog this morning. Thanks Ken, for some new content! While reading and understanding where he was coming from it finally hit me while I was at work tonight. I'm slow sometimes, ya have to understand that when reading some of my posts!

Let's scrap an 'alternate' Chase. Let's just make the current gimmicky one even more gimmicky. My idea would be interesting...and even more unfair than the current chase which was started to stop rewarding consistency and reward hard chargers. My idea would also keep fans interested but could ruin championship hopes for even the best drivers after the first race.

NASCAR could continue the current race setup...26 races to get to the Chase and 10 races in the Chase. The Chase would consist of 20 drivers...the top 20 after 26 races. During the Chase we would eliminate 2 drivers per race. Screw points...out of the 20 drivers in the Chase we would eliminate the last two finishers in each race. That would mean by Homestead we would have 2 drivers left fighting for the Championship. Whoever finished the highest would be the Champion.

Imagine the drama. You want revenge on a driver, then take them out of the first race and ruin their championship hopes! The excitement would be there. Guys fighting to NOT be the last 2 drivers that are still eligible for the championship in the running order during a race. Strategy would be the key...that and aggressiveness.

This idea probably sounds silly. The Chase sounded silly at first as well but that didn't stop NASCAR from implementing it. I can't call it a success either because they keep tweaking it each year. A success wouldn't require constant tweaking. Why not have an elimination Chase? NASCAR wants excitement, NASCAR wants to be gimmicky. Let's go all the way then!

Hell, I might even post standings each week to reflect how that Chase would play out!

That's my idea...everyone else might as well post theirs! ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/19-new-chase-idea.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/17-double-duty-day.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:08:02 GMT We're a good ways into the Nationwide race as I'm typing this but I have no stake in it so I'm in and out of watching it. I did manage to actually watch the Cup race today devoting most of my attention to watching Tony racing hard for the win. He came up short unfortunately and so did my drivers in the race pool.

Since I won last week I had to be the last to get my numbers and ended up with 9th and 13th. I was pretty pumped about having David Ragan at Richmond because I knew he was fast in practice and ran well last year. I didn't figure Matt would get me the win though so I was pulling hard for Ragan. My 4th win went down the drain though a little ways into the race when my two guys got into the wall together. How fitting, the two guys I had in the race pool, two teammates, two chase contenders wreck together. Tony Stewart kept me upbeat though until the last lap.

I really believed that Tony was finally going to win! That wouldn't be the case though...Jimmie Johnson had to spoil the day. I'm afraid he'll spoil the championship too but that remains to be seen. I was pleased to finally see some emotion after the race. I don't care for the pansies who shrug off a close finish and come up short. If I'm competing in something and come up in 2nd and I'm fine with it I'm doing something wrong. No one likes to get beat, especially someone with a personality and that's what I enjoy about the NASCAR Series...personalities. If I wanted to watch a scripted series with guys who are used to coming in 2nd and are ok with it I'd be watching Formula One.

On a final note, today is Grandparents Day so if you have the chance, make sure to show your appreciation to Grandparents everywhere!

Ciao! ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/17-double-duty-day.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/15-back-real-world.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:36:06 GMT Two days are down this week, three to go. I was looking forward to having a four day work week but not at Kennametal. We can't lose production time, that's a big no no! Actually our plant is undergoing some big changes due to the incentives package the city just gave us. Many machines are being sold off and being replaced by new ones which is slowing us down during the transition. I dread the atmosphere around there after the two weeks of Christmas and New years downtime were going to have at the end of the year.

Not much is new this week. I worked for a few hours on our new logo up top, mainly just getting things sized right. I found our little crazy man real quick because it was an avatar I used to use. I should use it for my blog as well come to think about it. Kinda describes me at times. I added the flag extra so we'd have a crazy nut waving a checkered flag. It's about time our community had something to represent our attitude! Dale Jr. just wasn't cutting it in the attitude department.

What else is in my head? Oh yeah, I guess there's wet weather ahead for us and anyone at the race this weekend. Maybe they'll push it back to Sunday so I can watch it at home instead of listening to what I can at work. It's time to pray for rain in Richmond! I hope Hanna times it right! Don't get me wrong, I'll take the rain in Richmond but let's leave out the winds and tornadoes. Speaking of which, I would love to experience a hurricane's winds first hand...I mean if it wouldn't throw me around or send me to Oz I think it'd be cool to stand out and experience the power of mother nature without getting hurt of course.

I could go on about the weather, I used to be a weather geek but I digress. There's other cool shit to read here so I'll let you get back to the rest of the community! Thanks for ya time brotha's and sista's! I'm OUT! ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/15-back-real-world.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/12-labor-labor-day.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:01:27 GMT Well I went to bed rather late last night because for the 3rd day in a row I was off work. I love paid holidays by the way! I think I am doing it all... Well I went to bed rather late last night because for the 3rd day in a row I was off work. I love paid holidays by the way! I think I am doing it all wrong though.

This is the weekend to mow. Normally I have to every other weekend but I skipped last weekend cause the grass wasn't too bad and I was lazy I guess...yeah, me lazy! :biggrin: I should have done it over the weekend I guess because it still ain't done yet!

One thing you must realize is that underneath this active internet user is a huge procrastinator! Now, since I didn't mow yesterday or the day before I have to do it today! This is Labor Day for God's sake! This is my paid holiday off of work! Crazy, I tell ya!

Well, I guess I could look at it this way...I am getting paid for 8 hours today but it'll only take me a little less than an hour to mow. That makes me feel a little better. Not by much, but a little! Let's go chop some grass! ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/12-labor-labor-day.html http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/8-jimmie-johnson-wins-me.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:11:55 GMT Well, here we are another race down. If it weren't for the arcade I might have just taken a nap during the race. It was decent, some passing and aggressive driving...at least when trying to avoid the wall. Jimmie was strong...too bad I didn't pick him to win the race in RWT too. He still won for me though...won the pole in RWT and won me $50 at work!

This is the third time I've won the race pool at work this year...I'm finally ahead of the game! Each week it costs $5 and we have 10 players. Each of us gets to draw 2 numbers, one from 1-10 and one from 11-20. I drew 1 and 11 this week so I had Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch since they qualified 1st and 11th respectively. I knew I had a good chance of them finishing the highest of the Top 20 qualifiers! It was an enjoyable race watching my $5 lead the majority of the race and turn into $50 when he won!

My post last night proved me right...Brian Vickers was fast tonight...too bad his crew didn't get the message. Dave Blaney ended up a lap down after running strong in the beginning. David Reutimann held on to finish a respectable 9th which was nice to see. Maybe someday these teams will find crew members and crew chiefs that can run with their driver. When that day comes maybe we'll see Brian Vickers and Dave Blaney competing for wins consistently as well.

That's all from me today. Hope you guys have a good night and enjoyed the race win as much as I did! :aetsch: ]]> racersimage http://diecastcrazy.com/community/blogs/racersimage/8-jimmie-johnson-wins-me.html