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Well if it were 42 you'd be asking why not 41 or 43 They figured that was the MAXIMUM # of cars they could cram onto the smaller tracks and pit stalls.
and for the sake of continuity
that became the limit for all tracks.
"In the past field size was based on the size of the tracks. At one time there was over 50 drivers running at tracks like Daytona and as little as 28 running at tracks like Hickory. However, when the modern era came about and the Money got better with Winston as the series sponsor NASCAR and the drivers settled on 42 drivers for the field, as most tracks would accomodiate that many pit stalls.
Again, keep in mind NASCAR used to have up to 60 cars trying to make the field and if you could get in then you could make money.
In 1989, the King Richard Petty, failed to qualify for a Race, So 3 time Champion Darrell Waltrip, who has been know to shoot his mouth off, told a national audience that it was a shame someone with the Kings status should miss a race. So Darrell proposed a "Past Champions" provisional that would allow any previous champion to be placed in the 43rd starting spot.
Well in 1998, I believe, NASCAR decided to make the 43rd spot perminate. So if a past champions provisional was not used then the 43rd spot would be fielded by the next highest qualifier."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_43_cars... It's all here.
http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headline... because every track has only 43 pit stalls in the pits. It has varied a great deal over the years..
At the beginning they put everyone that showed up, on the track..
By the seventies they had it down to thirty cars for a short track
(under a mile), and forty two for speedways, and super speedways..
I believe the forty third spot (past Champions provisional) was added
in the eighties, as well as the rest of the forty three on short tracks..washington post mini page
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I don't see how you can call them "has beens"! They are all still racing, doing better than a lot of drivers out there. They all have rides with contracts to keep them going. What is has been about that? They are all doing just fine. Did you see the race yesterday?
*SHOQ* Bias alert, but I know Denny will gain back his early success. He's been hit with some crummy luck, but I think he's finally gaining focus and will be on the prowl. Kurt Busch is a great driver but, like others pointed out, should probably seek a better team. I like Ryan but I honestly don't know about him so I won't say anything. I would not call any of these drivers "has beens" though. They're all awesome in their own right. Hamlin has a good owner and that will help him a lot.
Newman is with a new owner and team; so I doubt he'll do anything any time soon.
Busch is an odd one I believe he can win some races, but I don't think he'll win a cup again. i think hamlin has the best chance at it because he's the youngest with the best equiptment.
kurt busch might have a chance yet, depending on how serious penske gets with his nascar program.
newman might get a good shot in the arm once stewart-haas really gets going, but i'm not really sure. i dont think newman or hamlin will win a championship.kurt will win races but not another cup though. Kurt Busch will have to move to another, better team if he wants to recapture his success; he's not going to do it with Penske. I don't know about Hamlin. I know he's with a better team than the others and has made the Chase, but he just doesn't seem focused or something. He probably has the best chance of coming back of the three. Ryan Newman--I hope he improves because I like him, but he's with an unproven team. All of these guys started their careers off great but seem to have really fallen off lately.
Denny Hamlin finished 3rd in points in his ROOKIE season, yet finished last in the chase the past two years
Kurt Busch won the 2004 championship, yet finished 18th in points in 08
Ryan Newman had 8 wins and 11 poles in 2003, yet has only 1 win in the past 3 seasons.
Will any of these guys come back or are they all "has beens" For Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman I don't think and I certainly don't hope they are "has beens". So sorry but I can't say the same for Busch, what I can say is "Go Home"! I'm sick of those Busch boys! Denny has never missed the chase in his 3 full seasons. The fact that he has had some bad racing luck during those last 10 races the last couple of years says nothing about his driving ability. He has had the dominant car in quite a few races the last 2 years only to cut a tire or have some sort of mechanical issue. This kid is every bit as talented as Kyle and might win his first cup championship before him. Kurt needs to get out of those Dodges if he wants a chance to win another championship. Ryan Newman should be better now that he is in a Chevy but we will have to see. He is the one that I don't feel as good about, ability wise, out of the 3.
4's FINE N 09!!!! They ain't "has-beens" but I think each (possible exception of Hamlin who may get more) are going to get at most 10 more wins before retiring. I HOPE not, but that's what I feel. Hamlin...no. Without Tony to mentor him, he'll be driving in the Nationwide series in the next couple of years.
Busch...no. A has been for the one championship he had, hope he enjoyed it.
Newman...PLEASE! Don't get me started on him winning the rookie of the year award over Johnson in 2003. I guess we see who really is the better driver now.
These guys are done. Newman and Busch will probably ride on their names for several more seasons, but I wouldn't be surprised if Denny didn't see the finish line first again.forum livery
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It was basically where Nascar had its formal beginning. For the reason, it's traditionally the most important to the drivers. Plus, it's always very good, exciting racing. The first race after three loonnnngggg months. well it is the beginning of the racing season and it is termed "the great american race" and i was sooo happy that i was able to go to the daytona 500 this year and i the company suites and i was hanging out talking to racers like kasey khane and richard petty and aj allmendiger!!! and i got to go in the garage and pits and sitting on the track during the keith urban concert it was great (even though i have been going to daytona for like ever i just never went to the daytona 500 Because its the first race of the season. I think it stems back to the history of that area and it's long relationship with racing. It all started with the straight line racing on the beach itself and the attempts at breaking the existing land speed record for an automobile. Once they figured out that the salt flats were better suited for that they made a circular track on the beach and stock car racing as we know it today was born. It was basically brought about by business owners in the area wanting to attract crowds of people to buy their goods and services and the race promoters wanting to make people pay to watch. In a nutshell, it's where NASCAR began and has always been an almost sacred place for racing. It wasn't always the first one of the year but it has been the biggest race since the inaugural running of the 500 at Daytona International Speedway in 1959.
4's FINE N 09!!!! i tbegins the season, there are a select few that have wont his race and people are dying to hear the gentlemen start their engines It starts the season. For all NASCAR junkies like me who have been in withdrawal since November, it is our fix. It is also fast and is termed the Great American Race. It is considered the biggest race. As DW said, your career is not complete without a win in the "Great American Race." It has the richest price purse each year in NASCAR.
The Daytona 500 was first on a highbanked 2.5 mile superspeedway. Even though Darlington was in use, Daytona was the fastest in NASCAR.
About fifteen years ago, NASCAR had their four majors - The Daytona 500-the richest, The World 600-the longest, The Winston 500 (at Dega)-the fastest and the Southern 500-the oldest.
But things have changed and the Daytona 500 is still the biggest race in NASCAR. It's the Superbowl of auto racing. Up until the late 70s or so Riverside California was the first race of the year, fans looked forward to the warm California sunshine to start off every season. i think the France family's ownership interest might have had something to do with switching the opening race to daytona. Anyone else know for sure?
Ricky Rudd won his first race at the season opener in 1983 at Riverside, driving #3 for Richard Childress.
http://public.fotki.com/ElCaminoBilly/in...milage comparisons
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i saw that Interview. he told it like was, and was honest the whole time. i hope to see more like that in the future. I enjoyed watching the interview. That was the real Dale Jr. He is a very open person. Very glad that both Jr. and Vickers owned up for what they did. i agree with jr 100% and i think it was fault on both of the drivers and whats in the past is in the past you really cant do anything about it now but when the next daytona race comes later in the year this will be the talk of the nation again Yes I saw the interview yesterday, this is why I like Junior so much. He is a honest and proud person.
ANd he put it out there on the line yesterday. I thought it was a bit funny, but he also manned up to just plain missing the stop on the first pit. Kinda peek my curiosity who he was speaking of when he made the comment of he felt sorry for 80% of who got wrecked and 20% he really didn't care. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Junior told it like it was. I would like to see one person on here who doesn't particularly care for Junior and just live one week in his shoes.
See what this man has to go through day in and day out. He is under alot of pressure and I think he has handled it pretty darn good so far.
I don't ever want Junior to be like his dad, that is not why I like him, I like him for him, he is a down to earth well respected young man. ANd 95% of the time he respects the drivers when he is racing, every now and again he will have a moment that he messes up, but he always, ALWAYS, mans up to it. (Even if it takes a week)
Junior is and will always be my #1 driver.
Junior will shine in 09.
(It has only been 2 races and he needs to get those mulligans out of the way now) Here is how I feel. I love NASCAR, but I feel there are other people who could replace him. He knows he will never be nothing like his daddy and I wouldn't either if I was him. Dale Sr. got most of his wins by wrecking people anyways. The older people that likes Jr. is because of his name.. The younger people that don't know anything about racing started liking him because of Budweiser when he was driving the #8. I don't hate him. I just don't think he is a good driver. There are better drivers in this world who does not even have an opportunity because of Jr. out there just because of his name. I would bet money on this. If it wasn't for his daddy, he would not even be in the Busch series. I do love his attitude though. I think he has the coolest personality out there.
But anyways.. my point being. GO JEFF GORDON. THE DRIVE FOR FIVE IS ON, BABY!!! Ok, I'll give you this. I'm glad he manned up about the incident and took most of the blame because BLOCKING is racing, but so is RETALIATION... That is just part of the sport, and I love it.. Atleast he was trying to be honest tho
I have this to add though about that interview.. IT WAS RIDICULOUS.. That whole thing wouldn't have been done for ANY other driver if it wasn't Dale Jr. They explode and exploit every little thing that happens in that mans life... I mean if that was almost anyone else it wouldn't have been talked about by many after the race, OR a full frickin' interview dedicated to it. I almost changed the channel during one of the "Sprinkling Cautions" because they started to show parts of it again. NASCAR needs to get off his... well, you know.. Yes I did I thought it was great. He is honest. Yes, he is under the microscope more than any driver out there, he is damned if he does and damned if he don't. I would change my last name. He doesn't like being compared to his dad, and people keep doing it, he is his own man, he drives cause he loves it. I hope by the time he retires he has over 30 wins and a champioship. Yes, he is a great person, and a very honest person. I could tell the interview was alittle uncomfortable, but yes maybe some of his haters saw that interview and finally realize he is a great person, honest driver, respectable driver. Its racing and wrecks and accidents are gonna happen, and he is not immune to causing them or being in them, its racing.
Go Dale Jr & Hms I've always known that about Jr. He's always been under such enormous pressure to perform, to live up to an impossible legacy. He's doing what he loves, and I wish his fans would just stop pushing him so hard.
I'm not a Jr fan, nor am I a 'Jr Hater', and I don't think you have to be either/or. I heard it once say, "I am the best driver out there". Racheal, you could'nt be more wrong, I've been a NASCAR fan since the early 90's, I was not much of a Dale Sr, fan, and I think Budweiser's piss so that rules both of your theories out. Dale Sr was not the type to hand anything to anyone, not even his kids. Jr bought his first race car a 79 Monte Carlo late-model, with money he earned doing oil changes at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, Sr helped him set it up but after that it was you race it you fix it. Not only that he had to share the car with his brother and sister as well. Jr paid his dues running at places like Hickory and Myrtle Beach. By the time he started running what's now the Nationwide Series, he was living in a mobile home with Kerry. Now that I'm on that, Jr only ran 2 full seasons in NNS, and won the title in both of them and has 22 wins there, hardly lucky to get a ride. Coming from a Gordon fan, this is kinda odd since it was Dale Sr who recommended that Rick Hendrick hire Jeff in the first place. I mean how good would've Jeff been if he'd been at Bill Davis Racing(or was it Wood Bros, I forget) all these years. Would Tony Stewart or Kurt Busch called to apologize for what happened like Dale did? Yeah, right. Just goes to show you that Junior really is a man. Hopefully he can win a few races this year. Yes i did see it. He said it like a real honest MAN . He will never be like his dad but who could be. I only dislike him because he's my mom's favorite so we have a friendly rivalry. I don't think there's anything wrong with him as a person, however, I think Nascar treats him differently than other drivers and that's not fair. I also think a small number of his fans are just awful. They can be rude and obnoxious, but that's not his fault. Yes, I did see it & that is what us Junior fans have grown to love about the guy is his total honesty. He took the blame called Vickers to apologize and was ready for this week. I find it funny when DW told him he was driving a little aggressive like his dad and Junior said "What's wrong with that" I also did get a kick out of when he said he felt bad for about 80% of the guys he wrecked the other 20% he didn't even care if they were there or not. Wonder who he was talking about? I'm not going there just curious.
He's right though about his popularity as all of us Junior fans are aware of, and reminded of daily that is popularity doesn't reflect his success on the track. He is the most popular driver because of the man he has grown to be and what he stands for. Sr raised his boy well. True fans aren't fans just because of the checks in win column it stretches far beyond that. Junior is an honest stand up guy. Luv him!
Gooooo Junior! Yep I saw it and was impressed. I have never disliked Jr. as he was once my absolute favorite.
That being said I was glad that he did finally take responsibility for the Daytona wreck...not that it matters much but for some drivers and their fans who were hurt over it..(Yes I had hurt feelings) its like a healing balm. Now...I had to laugh...here I was defending him about the colored flags on how he chose pick or yellow whatever and so did everyone else and that is why he missed his stall at Daytona...and last night on the interview he said "Oh I wasn't paying attention I just used the colored flag thing as an excuse" and then he laughed and I had to laugh too. He can be funny.
So yeah...the man lives in his fathers shadow and that is a burden no one should have to bear. I do feel for him in that way. All I--being a hardcore Gordon fan---have to say is that ...
.. to me it was a heated moment with Waltrip and Jr... it was like a conflict between them... referring to the way Waltrip talked of Jr.'s concentration and his main focus.. and him not having it.. and how Jr. came back with the statement.. it was like he was kinda angry.. but they laughed it off (Waltrip did).. and Jr. smiled..
I dunno.. that's my view..
But, yeah I think he was TRYING to be honest.. not fully, but trying.. in my opinion..
But he can't simply blame himself... he's Dale Jr...the fans love him, so why blame him? (I'm not saying its entirely his fault.. but I will explain myself)
BUT you know what I think... I think this happened.. Jr. being who he is, being a driver who much is expected off.. to follow in his dad's footsteps.. to be good at restrictor plate tracks... to put down all the media's rumors of "when he was going to do something, win something.. a champioonship.. whether it was too late".. to win the 500.. he over did things at the race.. he.. gave 110% when all he had was 90%... He made mistakes.. he wanted to lead, get up front.. when all e shoild have done was calm down and have patience.. he wanted to do what was expected of him.. and he was not cautious.. and he made that big mistake..
And to make things worse.. it all came down harder at California..
That's what I think.. I didn't see the whole interview just parts cause I had to work. But I know Jr. and he is honest and trustworthy. He tells it like it is no "pink air" there. That is why I love him so much. I would agree also, He is VERY honest, and with that I give him the respect he deserves, for his honesty and integrity! I thought it was very good and Dale Jr. was extremely honest. He said something in reference to his success not matching up to his popularity and he was right on the money. I think the HATERS need to take a step back (only the ones that are real NASCAR fans) and think about it. Can you imagine the pressure that he goes through every day being the son of one of the greatest drivers ever? He races because he loves it and I have even more respect for him that he has won 18 times in his career under that microscope. I have never said that he is a GREAT driver and neither has he. He is however, a great person and that is all that matters in this life....................Your thoughts??? Yes!! I did see that. I just can't wait to see if ol DW can keep up with Jr. when he hangs out with him for that week, and see if Jr is loosing his focus. I hope DW can keep up! completey agree
it just proves haters wrong he always takes responsibility for his action yes He always looks at the ground and not at the camera or the interviewer. Mom always said that was sign of a guilty conscience, so I feel sorry for him. Seems he feels awfully ashamed of himself about something but won't admit what. (And no this is not a "Junior is gay" reference, I'm just saying he seems to be ashamed of something. Who knows what? Yea... I actually gained some respect for JR.fulbright piano competition
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seriously? It's only been two races, there's a lot more left. They started off slow last year and they ended up winning the championship. Besides, he finished 9th, that's pretty good.
. I think you've given yourself too much credit. I'm sorry I don't remember your questions. I can hardly remember your name. you predicted kyle would fade after watkins glen? you should change your screen name to "the amazing kreskin" or better yet, "the kingmaker," as your powers are obviously not just observational, but causal if it was your statement that caused kyle busch to fade. so i guess it's you i should be blaming...
;-) who remembers my question that i asked last year after Watkins Glen called ''Kyle Busch is starting to fade!''? Well, he ended up fading after i asked that and i think the same things happening for Jimmie. What do you think? I don't think so. The last 10 races count. He might start off slow but when the last 10 races start, he'll dominate. He doesn't have to do anything. If the Fords and Toyota's keep it up, just like last year. Nascar is looking to give chevy their choice of a blower or a twin turbo set up for the chase. So Jimmy already knows he doesn't have to do a thing, just ride laps out for 25 more races, and NASCAR will find a way to hand him another.
Chevy needs our help, help from the government and help from NASCAR... Always has always will. Thanks everyone for making Chevy's dream possible. They didn't call it the heartbeat of AMERICA back in the 90's for nothing.
Any time that NASCAR hands you a torque engine package with 10 races to go, and all 10 races are torque tracks, then it's a wash... Now they have their hands full to hand Jr. a championship, he couldn't out run a goldfish in a fish bowl... He didnt start out very good last year, and look what happen. No Jimmie isnt fading. He will be just fine. It would really break my heart.Boo Hoo, poor Jimmie. Come on man; if you know anthing about NASCAR you know that it takes Johnson a while to warm up.................He'll be right there in the end. You are so funny! And evidently clueless - I hope you are watching when Jimmie wins his 4th straight championship! No, I don't think so. Daytona is a wild card race where anything can happen. Today, I agree the 48 could have been a better car but the team could not stay on top of the track changes like the 17 and 24. I think that it is an absolute possibility that the 48 team will see see the 4th championship in a row. If not, at least a top five finish on the season. I think its only the 2nd race of the season and you're going to end up being very disappointed once the chase starts. i think jimmie started coming around towards the end of the season. the first half of the season was dominated by Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. then came towards the end of the season, sometime before the chase began, Jimmie started winning and shot up to the top.
i might be a little wrong with my statement, but that's how i remember it. Not at all, ask this question at the end of the year. We've seen early season dominance that has meant nothing when the chase starts. Nobody has worked the new format better than the 48 team and those last 10 races definitely favor Jimmie. A solid top 10 run and one of the strongest cars at Fontana isn't exactly what I would consider "starting to fade". The first 2 races of the year probably won't factor into the big picture much unless Jimmie misses the chase altogether. Next week is Las Vegas, where Jimmie has won 3 of the last 4 races, and Atlanta has been one of the 48 team's best tracks.
4's FINE N 09!!! No.. Jimmie never starts a season on all eight...
Well, almost never.. lol What is up with people..
Racing has become more competitive than ever,
the teams are running closer than ever, but to not
win a couple of races doesn't mean your career is done..
Jeff Gordon is not done winning, neither is Jr.. Last November
Matt Kenseth was washed up, no wins in a couple of years,
and now look at him.. BTW, he just caught up to Jr in Cup wins.. its been two races and he had a top ten today geez chill out u cant judge a season on the first two races2003 desktop palm window
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NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
Hopefully, it DOES NOT continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAUSE GORDON'S DOING SOMETHING THATS MAKEING ME SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
I AM ABOUT TO CRY WITH SUCH A PERFORMANCE THAT HE WAS PUT UP TONIGHT..
I AM ABOUT TO CRY!!!!
OOOHHH!!!!! COME ON GORDON!!!!!!!!!! Engines for the 5 & 88, trannys for the 48 & 88?
When we do good, we do good together, when we have problems.... well i believe being JR #.88 and Martin #5 was on the fuel mileage plan. Being they had slower practice speeds. They then leaned out there engines to much for the cooler than expected Temperatures and just burned the engines up. Jeff #24 and Jimmy # 48 was on the speed program being they had fast cars in both practices.. Also Stewart #14 and Newman did not have a engine problem.. also note the #5 and #88 share a building. So more than likely they shared info like engine tuning. Well the 5 and 88 share the same shop and the 48 and 24 share the same shop. If the 5 and 88 both have engine problems and the 24 and 48 don't then that means Rick is using Dale and Mark to experiment with. The transmission sounds like a problem from the supplier.
Again that just proves that Jeff and Jimmie is getting the better equipment. I have to say, when they waved the yellow for rain after they reported Mark's problem and he stayed out, I was hoping the skies would open up and provide the same elation that Matt Kenseth felt last week, solving everyones problems.
I really hope Rick Hendrick knows that Mark is NOT there to be an experimental driver for the 48 and 24. He is there to take one more shot at a championship. If Rick is not going to give him championship-caliber equipment, what the hell is Mark there for? Yeah Martin is done and Junior is all but done.. I think the #48 will be fine HMS didn't do a rain dance long enough, because the last gasp was for the skies to open up during the last caution. Someone at the shop is going to be working at the corner garage on Tuesday. Weird. Honestly. I wonder what failing part is the common denominator. This is the way NASCAR used to be. Hehe. Good race though! Right Tom? j/k As a longtime Blue Oval fan, I always love when Chevy teams have problems :^)
Way to go, Roush and Matt!
Keep on blowin' up, Hendrick cars! LOLhertz compact car
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Yes, me 2. This is my nap race,lol. If NASCAR would just cut the miles down on these races....then it wouldn't be like a one-mile race indoors; sit and kick. That's exactly what it'd make! Alot better as a parking lot than a parade route. Dump Fontana!
Just an opinion as always. Parking lot, cow pasture, lake... Just as long as it's off the schedule.
What a piece of crap. Awesome race. Just like I thought. Motors facing attrition(spelling may be off..lol), pit strategy, fast, passing and the fastest guys are in front. Shhhhh, you woke me up.. LOL trust me, i just got back from there a while ago and it is a parking lot, and a very disorganized one in the middle of craphole of a city that you wouldn't want to get alive in too late at night, and wouldn't want to look at during the light of day. the race year was the best in a long time, but that's not saying a lot. My boy is looking good so I don't mind it ! THen they should get rid of about 50% of the "cookie cutter" 1 1/2 mile tracks...there isn't any difference betwenn any of em.. Get rid of Atlanta then to... Just cause its on the east coast does'nt make it better than california.... Leave us west coast guys something PLEASE!!! Yes.
This track along with Vegas, Chicago, Kansas, and Texas make for NAPCAR
They need to tear it down and build a short track in its place. Or better yet give Darlington their race back and give one to Iowa. Most boring race of the year. I definately think that if they still are thinking about taking a race from one of the tracks it should be this one. Even though Roush does really good here. Ok...I already took a short nap curled up in my recliner. The realistic possibility is put Rockingham back and remove Fontana. We already have the sister track, and it's better. I have to say I agree with you on this one.........Holy boring! What a snooze fest...
I can't wait until Nascar the time Nascar drops this garbage. Tell ya what if ya don't like it don't watch it. Go watch golf or something. I was there all weekend and had a good time. Gotta be there instead of sitting on your duff and complaining. on e more here and its in the chase..
they should put Vegas in the chase
at least before and after we could gamble and some fun!!(my lucky brother) I first read the big bold question, and thought to myself here's another troll bash, how do I phrase a sarcastic answer. But then I noticed the asker, so here goes.
I'm only half watching. I'm splitting my time watching Y!A for trolls and knocking them back under the bridge with cleverly worded replies. I know, I treading on dangerous ground, but it's the least I can do to protect our turf.
Example below.
EDIT: Ok, Mark had to park it.
"Be vewwey, vewwey quiet, I'm hunting twolls!" .....it is becoming a parking lot now " Junior,Mark Martin, Harvick....)
I think there was more action when the "Steel Mill" was there. I'm enjoying it.. Get rid of Fontana n give The Rock a race and Darlington the other. There is absolutely no action at all in a race like this. These guys are spread out like crazy. I could probably go take a shower n not miss a dang thing. I've almost dozed 3 times now.
I wish they'd replace it with Kentucky's track already.how to make a family tree chart
