So is Bowyer actually deserving of this (to any degree)? Or is Jeff Gordon apparently the biggest douche in the universe
Gordon always has been and always will be a crybaby. Nascar's response to this is laughable. They fined him 100K and docked him 25 points. Wow. Kyle Busch did something similar in the minor league series last year and was suspended. Nascar has always played favorites and this is no different. Being their is only one race remaining Nascar really should have sent a message and suspended Gordon for Daytona next year, that would have sent a message but they'll continue to just like they always have play favorites when it comes to Hendrick drivers. Their rules and punishments are so inconsistent and based soley on dollars and fan reactions. The fans hated Busch for a variety of reasons but the Nascar governing body is a joke.
Kyle Busch has a history of being a cockhead and doing shit like wrecking people on the pace lap or on pit road. Too much of a pussy to go up to anybody post-race. /rant But yeah Nascar is a joke as far as consistency. Remember when JR cursed post-race saying "It don't mean shit" and they took points from him in the chase when he was still a contender? But with Brad Keselowski(I am actually a fan) on the verge of winning a title he goes on a profanity filled tirade and they don't take any points away. I think it is very stupid to take points away for cursing, but at least try to look like the same rules apply to all drivers and situations.
NASCAR's rulings were a joke. Brad K got fined 25k and got probation for tweeting during a red flag. And Gordon somehow skates with only a fine for deliberately wrecking someone and screwing up the chase. Gordon should be parked for several races.
It is destined to be a crazy year. Everything is changing, and I know there are at least a few racing fans here, so lets try to have a relatively live thread this year. Most seasons will have months go by with no posts in the thread. To start things off, Daytona... I copied this from a post on a different board I found. (from highflyer) There are 49 cars entered for the Daytona 500. In numerical order they are.... (1) McMurray, (2) Brad Keselowski, (3) A.Dillon, (4) Harvick, (5) Kahne, (7) Annett, (9) Ambrose, (10) Patrick, (11) Hamlin, (13) Mears, (14) Stewart, (15) Bowyer, (16) Biffle, (17) Stenhouse, (18) Kyle Busch, (20) Kenseth, (21) Bayne, (22) Logano, (23) Bowman, (24) Gordon, (26) Whitt, (27) Menard, (30) Kligerman, (31) Newman, (32) T.Labonte, (33) Scott, (34) Ragan, (35) McClure, (36) Sorenson, (38) Gilliland, (40) Cassill, (41) Kurt Busch, (42) Larson, (43) Almirola, (47) Allmendinger, (48) Johnson, (51) Allgaier, (52) B.Labonte, (55) Vickers, (66) Waltrip, (77) Blaney, (78) M.Truex, (83) R.Truex, (87) Nemechek, (88) Earnhardt Jr, (93) Methuselah (Shepherd), (95) McDowell, (98) Wise, (99) Edwards 6 drivers have to either get in on speed or race their way in via the duels, namely: Whitt, Kurt Busch, B.Labonte, Blaney, Methuselah, McDowell. If a past champions provisional is NOT required by any eligible driver, then Kurt Busch or B.Labonte could use one. Tony Stewart is NOT planning to use a backup driver. There are 7 Rookies in the field (Dillon, Annett, Bowman, Kligerman, Larson, Allgaier, R.Truex). For the purposes of the championship, 6 drivers (Bayne, Scott, McClure, Cassill, Nemechek and Methuselah) are ineligible for championship points. 18 drivers will be taking part in the Sprint Unlimited, formerly known as the shootout: McMurray, Brad Keselowski, Harvick, Ambrose, Patrick, Hamlin, Stewart, Stenhouse, Kyle Busch, Kenseth, Logano, Gordon, Newman, T.Labonte, Kurt Busch, Johnson, Earnhardt Jr, Edwards. 20 were eligible but both Ken Schrader and Pops Martin have retired (we think). NUMBER CHANGES - The 3 Team was 29 last year - 4 was 39 - 23 was 93 from last year, this year's 93 is a new team - 55 was 56 from last year - 66 was 55 from last year, Waltrip will probably do the plate races, Jeff Burton will do a handful of retirement runs, Joe Nemechek to do the remainder (believed to be about 28 with the others in his own car) - 77 was 19 - 26, 41 and 52 (52 was from the former owner of the 51 who sold that team, 41 is from the Stewart stable, 26 is a teammate to 30) are NEW teams. -~-~- There are I believe 7 ROTY contenders this year. It might be the best year ever for new comers. It is going to be probably the most competitive 43 car field ever. The new chase is going to be a big topic, as well as Stewart-Haas, the 3 being back, new penalty system, etc. Daytona practices, and qualifying are this weekend, so we're ready to go!
I had not known last season that Jeff Burton was going to do a semi-retired schedule this year. He's one driver who really struck me as someone who didn't live up to his potential in a rather singular way. First with Roush he seemed ready to supplant Martin as the top driver, but eventually he was surpased by Kenseth. Then he seemed poise for a fresh start with Childress, and despite some promising efforts he eventually became an also ran for RCR. He seems like a thoughtful, nice guy, and without his brother's, well, weirdness. Oh well. As a Tony Stewart fan I am glad to see him back, but am concerned he will not be 100% for some time. And I still hate Kyle Busch. Johnson once again has to be considered a favorite for the cup, I suppose. I guess that covers it for now.
Call me nostalgic, whatever you want, but I don't like that Dillon is driving the 3. Not one bit. It just doesn't seem right
I don't much care for Dillon in the 3 either, but oh well, we must deal with it. I'm a hardcore Vickers fan, so I'm quite optimistic, and grateful.
Nascar would be better served if they would limit teams to 2 drivers and cull the field down to 30 to keep the Nemeceks and Kvapils off the track. The perpetual back of the packers is a disservice to the sport.