I have so much mail that I need to bunch it all together.

Hi Claire,
I just want to say how terrible the TV coverage of Saturdays race was. Listening to the announcers, you would have thought that the only driver on the track was Denny Hamlin. Even when they were showing another car they’re still talking about Hamlin. Like we really needed to be reminded every 2 minutes that he had lead all but 1 lap of the race. I also think that Denny purposely did not pit when he knew that he had a tire problem so that he could bring out a caution so Kyle would be able to catch Jr. And I’m not convinced that Kyle hitting Jr. was just a racing deal. from a couple of the replays, you could see Kyle’s front tires turned to the right before they had entered the corner and at no time did those tires ever turn to the left. And No I am not a Jr. fan.

David
Endicott, NY

Hi Claire B:

I’m sure your inbox is about to explode with not only the quantity of the e-mails you’ve received since the race, but also because of their content. This one is no different. Even a couple of days removed from the incident, I’m still seeing red over what Joe Gibbs’ bad boys did to Dale Jr. The thing that makes me the most angry is not that Dale Jr finished 15th in a race he should have won, but that the two people who cost him the race will receive no further punishment for their crimes. In my eyes, Denny Hamlin is as culpable as Kyle Busch for the wreck that took Junior out of contention. The fact that he intentionally brought out the caution by stopping on the track, makes him guilty of purposely altering the outcome of the race. Had he not done so, Dale Jr most likely would have increased his sizable lead and sailed to victory, leaving Kyle to finish either second or third. Instead, Denny stopped so that the field would be bunched up and his teammate would have another shot at Dale. And Kyle took that shot without hesitation. He deliberately turned his wheels to right and shoved Dale up – whether he intended to wreck him or not is debatable, but he certainly intended to move him out of the way. Larry MacReynolds even noted the turning of the wheels on the Fox broadcast (although he later backed off that stance, no doubt under coaching from Kyle’s biggest fan, DW).

So NASCAR parked Denny for two laps. Ooooo! How awful! What a harsh punishment! Bet he lost sleep over that one! The sad thing is, I felt so sorry for Denny when he first started slipping back because of that tire – he really should have won that race. Once he took matters into his own hands and robbed Junior of his win, however, I lost all sympathy and respect for Denny. I thought he and Junior were friends, but apparently teammates are more important than friends.

As for the Shrub, was anyone else listening on Friday night when he stated on National TV that he would wreck anyone to win a race??? Then he does so the very next night (although he didn’t win, thank goodness)! Coincidence? I think not. He also had a lot of nerve to call out the 88 team member who came down to talk to him after the race, considering that Kyle did the very same thing to Steven Wallace (whose tap did NOT cause Kyle to wreck and was very well done) the night before! Talk about a double standard! Someone needs to give this kid a lesson in respect and consideration of others, and soon. And would someone please tell the TV broadcasters that Kyle Busch is NOT the second coming, nor is he fit to wipe the grease off of Dale Earnhardt’s shoes, so stop comparing the two! Dale was confident, even cocky, but he was never downright nasty, and he was racing in an era when bumping and using the chrome horn was the norm. Kyle was apparently born a generation or so too late.

Oh, one more thing – Once again, Dale Jr has shown himself to be a total class act. As heartbroken and angry as he must have been, he blamed no one for his accident, and was very diplomatic in his comments about Denny and Kyle. His demeanor should be a lesson to all young racers – this is your role model, not the holy terror that is Kyle Busch.

Thanks, Claire. I’ve vented and feel a little better now. Take heart Junior Nation, a win is just around the corner. Followed by another, and another, and another!

- Tricia
Suisun City, CA

Saturday in Richmond, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. wrecked in the last laps of the Richmond race. Had it not been for a foreign object or tire flaw; the night belonged to Chesterfield-Richmond native Denny Hamlin. Dale was a good two plus seconds behind the leader (an eternity in racing) and competing with Kyle Busch for second. Kyle and Dale got together; Dale came out the loser in that clash.
Kyle Busch went for the win, entitled or not, it did not matter if Jr. had won last week or had been 20 years without a win. The merchandise sales, the commercials, the movie appearances and the popularity contest that all the 3, 8 and 88 fans have Sr’s son are left when the green flag drops.
People say NASCAR reflects the heart and soul of America; unfortunately it also reflects the misunderstanding of what true competition is about. The track and your competition don’t care how pretty you are or what your fan base want. Junior’s fans need to accept Jr. as he is and his capabilities and love him for it. If he is truly a great racer; it will happen.
What would Dad have done? I think the this stings most 88 fans most. It hurts to believe that 18 is more like “The Intimidator” than 88.

Hi
Claire

I know you will get a lot of IM’s and emails and calls on what happened Saturday night.

As you know I am a JR fan and I was at the edge of my seat looking for his first
Win this year a second a head of the shrub and Denny wont go in the pits for his tire
Issue brings out a caution which he did for his teammate so the shrub could get back
Close to JR.
JR was making the lead larger with each lap under green and the JGR team new this
I have lost respect for Hamlin, which was the class of the field for Richmond.
But again unable to close the door.
Shrub turned right into JR he did it twice
See the replay.

The shrub has not been booed yet like he will be at the Lady in black
And probably the rest of the year and beyond
Just ask Steven Wallace.(bush race Friday night interview)lol

As they say wait till next week.
Hopefully JR can do well at Darlington
You were there for the JR interview with Speed
What a class act JR is that is why he is number 1 with fans and top of the list
For sponsors.
You know how he feels when he talks to you and his fans feel for him.

Thanks for what you do and all the best to you
Traveling mercies to you

Mike McCune

Claire:

I have to get this off my chest once and for all. Why is it that none of the announcers (other than Jimmy Spencer) have called this like it truly is? When KB gets bumped in the Nationwide race and goes down and sticks his head in Steven Wallace’s car and then the next night Junior’s pit guy goes down to speak with KB he says “it was uncalled for”!! WHAT??????!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you serious? He just said the night before that he doesn’t care who he wrecks!! Can we please roll the tape on that one? They were talking on the FOX pre-race show about how much these cars costs and he dares to go out there and just put people in the wall for sport. The truck races are proof positive that this is all he knows. Checkers or Wreckers!! And then the smug kid has the audacity to say – I’m a little confused, I was getting the #1 sign and I was in second place. What a failed attempt at humor. Man up- say I made a mistake and apologize. I still can’t get over the restraint that Dale Jr. showed. No- he isn’t his daddy- he is better. Please for the love of God realize that a spade is a spade. He is going to tango with the wrong guy someday and I just hope the cameras are rolling to capture it. And please don’t lump me in with the Junior fans that throw cans and show themselves. I am simply stating the facts here.

Thank you,

Trinka- West Palm Beach, FL

Claire,

I’m sure you get a ton of Emails about this one…..

But the really reason why Dale Jr didn’t win the race was because for Denny Hamlin pulling a Dale Jr. Causing a caution to stay on the lead lap. It looks like Dale Jr got some karma back. Don’t get me wrong I was pretty frustrated that the caution came out. I knew if it came out he was going to be screwed. He’s restarts haven’t been the best this year. The only real problem I have with Kyle Busch (Well there’s a lot of things) But he really raced Mark Martin Super Clean and Right before that is when he wrecked Junior. And then in his interview he tries to play it off with just racing. Yes, he got loose, but when you get loose and you have someone right on your outside and he knew he did he could have just spinned himself out instead of turn into to Junior. Then in is interview off camera he has to pop off about one of Juniors crew members about come and talking to him. Of course someone from Juniors crew was going to come talk to him he’s lucky the whole crew didn’t come d
own there and give a something else !! Well, I’m sure he had a fun exit out of richmond at least.

Junior needs to get mad sometimes like his father. I think that is one of the complaints Senior fans have about Junior. Doesn’t have the same old man fire.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Thanks,
Corey Smith

To the JR nation die herds,he is not Jesus Christ and should not be considered as such.Get over it! Racing incidents happen.Although Kyle is what Stephen described him best as ,a girlie girlie,the accident was nothing more than a racing incident.
Cb i think kyle maybe should go on vacation cause i’m sure there is a bounty on his head!! Lol!! You don’t piss off jr. Nation!!

Hi Claire B,

I have zero respect for Jimmy Spencer after his performance last night on SpeedTV’s “Victory Lane”, obviously pandering to Dale Jr’s fans to make himself popular with them. Blaming the Kyle/Jr. incident on Kyle was so far out of line and wrong, wrong, wrong. I’m also dissapointed in John Roberts and Kenny Wallace for not vehemently disagreeing with Spencer. Any race fan with half a brain, which obviously Spencer and the Junior Nation do not have, could see when shown the video replay from behind that Kyle got loose and that is what caused the wreck. At least Junior was classy and correct in his post race statement by stating it was just a result of hard racing for the win. Which, I believe, is what those boys are getting paid the big bucks to do. Junior should appeal to his Nation to stop acting so crude and juvenile. It’s disgusting to the rest of us and does not reflect well on Junior.

But, alas, sanity did return last night on SpeedTV with Dave Despain. He told it like it was, and like so many other commentators, stated that Kyle is a lot like Dale Sr., and even showed video to prove it.

Anyway, will you please play James Taylor’s “You’ve got a friend” and dedicate it to Kyle from me?

Thanks,

Cynda, San Diego
Claire B – Normally I am at the RIchmond race, but I had back surgery a couple of weeks ago, so I had to miss the race Sat PM (my husband and a good friend attended). After seeing Kyle wreck Dale Jr on lap 398, I am glad I wasn’t there… Lord knows how I would have vented all of my frustration towards Kyle.

The advantage of seeing the race on TV was that I got to hear all the comments from Larry Mac & DW… they clearly felt that Kyle caused that wreck. I also got to see the interviews with Dale Jr and Kyle. Dale Jr’s maturity really impressed me, and Kyle’s comments only solidified my opinion of him… he’s a talented driver who is wasting his talent.

So, what I would like to know is… What were Rick Hendricks comments about the wreck? What were the comments coming from Joe Gibbs Racing? What were their thoughts about Denny’s penalty? What were their comments about Kyle’s actions and remarks?

Last night I saw NASCAR Victory Lane. Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace both indicated their dissapointment in Kyle’s whole attitude. They also remarked that Kyle’s got a growing list of driver’s that he’s wrecked and it starts with his BIG brother. The going isn’t going to be good for Kyle if he doesn’t make some drastic changes.

Cheers,

Kat in VA.

Hey Claire,

As I see it Jr. Nation should be happy….

Kyle Bush is Dale Sr reincarnated and since most of Jr’s fans are carry over fans they should be ecstatic to have someone to cheer for that can actually race AND win.

I think that someone should get black t shirts out there with Kyle’s picture on it with “Intimidator II” in the same layout as the original “Intimidator” shirts were. I’d buy one.

The only thing that upsets me is that Kyle should watch more or Dale Sr.’s races to learn how to “rub” someone and win, not finish second… Dale Sr. was the master at that and I think with a little more practice and film study Kyle will be just as good as the master of the bump and win…

I’m falling back in love with NASCAR again!

Glenn Leidich

I personally am a NASCAR fan. I just want to drop a note saying how wrong DENNY HAMLIN was in the race. He purposely brought out the yellow flag so that Kyle could catch back up to Junior, I have been watching NASCAR for over 25 yrs and that was just about the worst move I have ever seen out of a so called professional. NASCAR should PENALIZE the #11 team 250 points, fine DENNY HAMLIN (not GIBBS Racing) $500,000.00 and suspend all bonus win points if he where to still make the chase.
I know that Kyle was laying back to cool off his tires, that is why Junior got out to over a second lead, who knows for sure how long he would have waited before trying to run down Junior.
I do not believe all the blame goes to Kyle for wrecking the 88, but I do believe that in a few more years that will be a huge finish at the end of a race when Kyle will race someone with 8 laps to go and realize that you do not have to pass and take the lead in 1 lap. I truly feel that in reality Kyle cost himself a victory at Richmond if he would have been a little more patient and forced the 88 to use up his tires.
Thanks for you time
Scott

oh miss claire that SHRUB (bush) better grow up and soon before he kills someone on the track and that mouth of his is awful wheres my soap lol. I feel hes getting a big head and wonder what he meant by its not all about jr he will see . even his own brother doesn’t talk to him at track i hear . Hes getting really scarey on track. oh by the way poor mickie got parked after seeing full replay i understand now nascar did the right thing how ever denny should of had a fine for trying to fix race thanks miss claire love your show no need to reply That was nothing but good, hard racing to the flag.

All the arm chair quarterbacks can analyze it all they want, but the end
result will always be the same. Good, hard racing.

Bobby in Austin

Hi Clare,

I was at Richmond and my seats are in the very top row of the Commonwealth Tower so we can see the whole track at once. Once Hamlin figured out that he wouldn’t be able to limp home to a decent finish, it was clear he purposely caused the caution to give his teammates a chance.

Not very sportsmanship like.

Marv Odell

Dear Claire;

Well it was certainly an eventful weekend, plenty of good racing and even more battered feelings. Saturday’s race was outstanding, possibly the best race so far this season. It was an improbable win for Clint Boyer but he was a happy winner and showed a lot of grace and humor in winning, and there are a couple of drivers who could learn a lot from Clint. Now Denny Hamlin certainly had the best car all night, in fact I mentioned to a friend that only an act of God would deny him the win. And that is exactly what happened, how many times have we seen that the best car doesn’t win. Still his parking on the top of the race track was inexcusable, and the penalty to my mind could have been stronger, still Denny Hamlin showed grace in defeat. And what a fine finish for Jeff Burton, getting caught up in the big one but finishing 11th. But to my mind the drive of the night was given by the 24 team, and this was a complete team effort. They didn’t qualify well, they had to replace the starter and begin the race at the back of the field, still they worked hard every stop making good changes quickly and Jeff worked hard to get back on the lead lap and pass cars. And the bulk of their improvement was on the track; this race may well be what turns their season around and I confident that they will be in the Chase. Conversely after this weekend I think that both Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch have most likely eliminated themselves from the Chase. Sometimes it is the struggle that tells me more about how a team will run the rest of the season, the 24 team told me they will not quit they will find a way to improve they will prevail. As for the 17 it seams that they have had awful luck for the last month or so and it doesn’t appear that their luck will change any time soon. As for the 2 team I think their biggest problem is their manufacturer, the Dodges are very inconsistent and the motors seem to be lacking power. And that does concern me for Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and Juan Pablo Montoya, I think all three are the best of the Dodge teams, and in Montoya’s case he is running way better than he should be with Ganassi equipment. Unfortunately either Ryan or Kasey will be on the outside looking in after race 26.

So I have to address the elephant in the room, Dale Jr. being hit by Kyle Busch. It is very clear that this was a racing deal; they were in the tightest corner running very close this was bound to happen. I feel for Dale Jr. he had an excellent car and he showed a lot of class after the race, still both drivers pushed hard for the win and he came out on the short end. Now as for Kyle if he would just say it was tough racing for a win say he’s sorry and walk away I don’t think this would have legs but then he has to rub Jr.’s fans faces in the dirt by saying well “He was supposed to win, quote/unquote” ; this is what gets him in to trouble he doesn’t think he just spews and infuriates fans. And for all his trouble he is swiftly becoming the most disliked driver in NASCAR. And frankly after the Nationwide race and Steven Wallace’s disgusting behavior and words, I felt sorry for him he I didn’t think he deserved it. Then he goes out and spouts off and makes me reconsider my changing opinion of Kyle; he is supremely talented but increasingly aggressive and immature at some point someone has to shake some sense into him. And as for Michael Waltrip and his on track temper tantrum, yes Casey Mears did crowd him some and it is possible that a tire went down but driving the 5 into the wall was not only uncalled for but reckless. This was not boys being boys, Michael Waltrip deserves more than being parked for the rest of the race, he used his car as a weapon he should be penalized and punitively. I think this behavior needs to be hit with a minimum 100 point penalty for the driver only, the owner and the team are not responsible for this behavior. At some point NASCAR has to stop tolerating drivers using cars as weapons this isn’t racing.
Sue

Let me start by saying I am not a JR fan I think it was a racing accident (that Kyle could have avoid) but none the less a racing accident

Kyle’s comment about JR was uncalled for.

As for Hamlin the two laps was a joke, he would have lost at aleast that many under green. We can not say JR would have won if Hamlin had not stopped but we know the 88 was way ahead of the Gibbs teammate car ( I know its only Monday but I see a link here).

And finally if NASCAR has any backbone thay need to sit Denny down for a race or two, what did was dilibrate, it had any effect on the race, and most importantly it put himself and many others in danger.

Bob in md

Clare,

The Jr and Kyle incident on the track was just guys racing for the win, but Hamilin’s crew chief leaving him out on the track to get a caution was a BS move.

Hey Claire,

I think Dale Jr. showed a lot of class by not saying anything until he saw the a replay of the incident. I think Dale Jr. may look at Kyle Busch very differently from here on in. It looked to me and Larry Mac said on the TV broadcast that it looks like Kyle got loose and that his
front wheels look like they were turned in to Dale Jr. to save his racecar. Dale just happened to be right there.

I think that what I was upset about was the fact that Denny stopped on the racetrack.
Maybe Denny should be talking to Dale Jr.

Thanks Claire
Lisa in New Jersey

BULL!! Kyle went into that corner deeper and faster then he had all night! knowing he had jr. as a cushion! john calif.

I think that Kyle is a very good driver and I don’t think he’s any better than Gordon, Johnson or Jr, he’s just more reckless. I don’t think he’s going to be a Mega Star either. I believe he’s going to cause someone to loose their life or he’s going to loose his. During his post interview after the sprint race he was using the right words but he had a that little smart ass smirk on his face.

Sheila Matthews, CPhT

Claire

They played Hamilin’s conversation during the race and he ask what Kyle’s position was on track and he stopped, the caution came out. I have loss all respect for Joe Gibbs racing. I think it was done on purpose.

Hi Again Claire,

I believe Hamlin knew exactly what he was doing when he stopped
his car on the track. More so than caring about his teammate
having a chance to catch Earnhardt, I think he just wanted to avoid
losing laps pitting for the flat tire. I’ve seen this happen in local
Saturday night racing for years as well as in NASCAR. They ALL do
it and I always feel it is poor sportsmanship. And remember Hamlin
is only 3-4 years removed from late model racing, so he knew
exactly what he was doing. Helping to tighten up Busch on
Earnhardt was just a side-benefit of Hamlin not wanting to lose a lap
pitting under green. That’s exactly why NASCAR penalizes 2 laps
for intentionally bringing out a caution.

Yes Denny ment to cause a caution to help Kyle and should miss two races

If he just losty his head over leading the whole race and then this he should be set down for five you can not have drivers lossing it at 200 mph

Claire,
I think it is sad that a person with as much class as Joe Gibbs has, that
he has drivers that have so little. Terrible how Denny stopped on the
track. I don’t think Kyle wrecked Jr. on purpose, but he doesn’t know when
to back off either.

Brad from Arkansas

Claire:
I will elaborate later, but stopping was a TEAM act. Junior was too
far out front for Kyle to catch, so even knowing he would be held,
Denny forced a caution for “the team”!

By the way: Kyle wrecked Jr on purpose! Watch his front wheels on
the replay! Steered into Jr, then straight, then into- until Jr went
around!

I may have to dump JGR ( and Tony) if this keeps up.

Coe in Alabama

Sent from my iPhone

Claire,

I honestly think Junior takes his time in answering any question because he
knows the way his words are taken by the media and his fans. I’ve yet to
hear Junior throw any driver “under the bus” so to speak. Maybe he is
mature enough to act, think, and respond like a man. (Unlike others I can
think of.)

Just because Junior didn’t blame the incident on KB, doesn’t mean that he
wasn’t thinking that. I just don’t think he is the kind to add fuel to the
fire.

Denny Hamlin knew what he was doing in my opinion! He is a professional
driver, and what an actor!

Sincerely,
Carolyn
88 fan in PA

The reason the uproar is greater than the Denny incident. Kyle wants to race hard as long as somebody else is the victim. He doesn’t like it if he looses something on the hard racing.
Steve in VA

If the positions had been the other way around would Jr have wrecked K Booooish or if Tony S, Jeff G, Jeff B. none of these guys would have driven that deep and spun the other out what goes around comes around so let him keep saying it’s just racing his turn is coming

CE

You asked for our thoughts about the race at Richmond, here is my thought, why is it that all everyone wants to talk about is the drivers that didn’t win? How about some positive words about Clint Bowyer. The man ran good all day, coming from a 31st starting spot to put himself in position to win. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? He got his second career win and jumped to 4th in points. How about a little love for the 07, and the other RCR drivers, who also put in a good run. I think you should break out a whole lot of cheese for all the whiners out there.
Send all the RCR cars around.

Pat, in Iowa.

Old Navy

——————————————————————————–

Claire, I cannot believe you are gonna set there and try to tell me that Denny Hamlin was
“confused”, or that he didn’t know what he was doin’. Anyone with a room temperature IQ
could see that he knew exactly what he was doin’. Guess Tony’s gonna have to get used
to the fact that he’s the only person at JGR with any class.
Scott in TX

Claire

I was watching the race and I saw that Hamlin just squeezed through the mayhem on the track from the red flag clean up. I believe that Hamlin was just thinking of the possibility of being hit and causing another mess on the track. He is a fairly young driver, and I do not believe that it was intentional to cause a yellow, I believe he did it so he could get to pit row without having to go around the track once again, and not pull in front of some of the other drivers who were racing hard. I do not beileve that he did it out of spite, just trying to be cautious without paying attention. Did anyone listen to his in car to see what he said as he was slowing and maybe someone on the crew may have told him to stop.

Intentionally caused caution by hamlin. Good team move but dirty. SUSPENSION IS CALLED FOR BY NASCAR. FR: MIKE IN MICHIGAN

I wish I knew what race all these Dale Jr. fans are
watching because it sure is a different race then us
anti Earnhardt Nation fans seen. It is simple, That’s
Racing Kyle got loose it happens to all drivers.

Jimmy from Mooresville

C.B , Jr. ain’t his Daddy, and I don’t think this has any thing to do with Kyle. The issue is nobody is suppose to race Jr. if he has a chance to win. I’m surprised NASCAR hasn’t got a rule in place for situation.

T Shirt John
Houston Tx.
CB,

I am so proud of how Junior acted after the race with his interviews on FOX and SPEED. Others drivers would not had acted like Junior did. Junior has class and I think he learned this from Mark Martin.

As for DW, look for him to cheer Junior on Saturday night because Junior is driving a certain paint scheme that DW knows a lot about!

Oh, by the way, there will never ever be another Dale Earnhardt!

Wow you people need to grow up and quit looking for an excuse for why
your average driver didn’t win a race! I say average because show me
what he has done to deserve this god like status! Denny did what
100’s of drivers have done before him, and that is try to get a
caution so you don’t lose more laps. Nascar knows this and they
penalized him 2 laps for it, and if it hadn’t happened before there
wouldn’t be a 2 lap penalty in the rule book for doing it!

Ask JRs fans if they remember Bristol and a certain spin out on
purpose to get a caution….LOL

I was lucky enough to have seen his daddy race, and you ask any
driver that drove against that man if they liked to see him in their
mirror late in a race? Ask Terry Labonte if he remembers bristol
night race? ask Rudd, ask Rusty, ask Gordon! I can go on and on Claire

Jr lost, that’s the way it goes, good or bad that’s what the out come
was so GET OVER IT PEOPLE and quit your whining. and how does anyone
know the outcome of a race? Jr would have won? LOL 20 laps before
that everyone was saying Denny would win and did he? no!

So how could you honestly say that Jr would have won?

In racing anything can happen at any time, it isn’t over till the
checkered flag flies so don’t tell me who would have won and who
didn’t win because someone brought out a caution….

I’m sure Jr is embarrassed to have a lot of you as fans. I respect
that kid to no end and he deserves better fans than he has, and to
all you fans that understand racing like he does, I am sorry to lump
you in with the idiots.

I’m sure this will piss off the nation………….LOL

Lorne
Ontario
Canada

Claire,

I listened to MRN during the commercial break when the realized what
happened with Jeff Gordon. They did not find out why he dropped back to the
rear until the time it was announced, pretty far into the race.

Terri

CLAIRE B, I AM A HUGH JR. FAN AND IT WAS PROBABLY A RACING INCIDENT HOWEVER IT IS REALLY BAD ON FRIDAY NIGHT TO SAY “I WILL WRECK WHO EVER I HAVE TO” AND THEN SATURDAY NIGHT TURN RIGHT INTO THE RACE LEADER, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE… MAYBE HE WOULD BE BETTER OFF, IF HE IS GOING TO WRECK SOMEONE, TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT…

JR. HAS REALLY MATURED AND HIS DAY IS COMING. HIS MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE IS THE CHASE.

——————————————————————————–
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Claire

I didn’t hear this myself, but read this message from someone else. Apparently, Denny’s CC kept telling Denny to come to the pits for tires. Denny said he had an “idea”. The listener took this to mean he would drive the car until it couldn’t be driven anymore, at which time he would park and cause a caution.

Ginger

Cb about jeff gordon’s comments on jr & kyle i think his comments would be different if he was the one to be wrecked by kyle!! Hw
Claire,
Robin Pemberton is full of crap, a couple of years ago JR was docked points, for bringing
out the caution on purpose. I am sick of them blowing smoke up my ass.
Scott in TX

Claire,

I don’t believe for one second that Kyle wrecking Jr, was an accident. He turned the
wheel to the right…per the video replay…for crying out loud. He did it on purpose.
Kyle just does not like Jr. He is so jealous of Jr and the popularity he has because he
will never come close to that kind of popularity because of his punk attitude. He can’t
stand that Rick Hendrick let him go in favor of Jr. He is too arrogant to realize that
attitude of his is why he isn’t there anymore. Also, on Friday night it was okay for him
to go over to Steven Wallace’s car and start running that yap yap mouth of his about
Steven but when Rick Pidgeon comes over to Kyle Saturday, its just “ridiculous” He’s so
two-faced. His sole purpose is to show Jr up. He proved he had no class Saturday when
he made that crack about “well at least Jr didn’t get hurt and will live to race another
day” How sick! What he did wasn’t funny and he should have been penalized for it. That
he AND Denny Hamlin were not sent to the back after it was all over, shows NASCAR has no
backbone. Denny affected the outcome of the race. Without that caution, Jr was GONE!
There was no catching him. Denny should have been disqualified for that…no questions
asked. NASCAR is letting Gibbs and Toyota run all over them amd I have lost all respect
for JGR. I love Tony so I really hope he bolts from there and takes every sponsor he has
with him.

As for the FOX Broadcast, they are terrible. Darrell is so wrapped up in Kyle Busch
Toyota, there is no way he can be impartial. It is sickening how they originally said it
was Kyle’s fault and then, almost as if they were told to do so by the powers that be,
they reversed course, and said it was not Kyle’s fault and starting kissing up to him.
Larry Mac had it right and then even he took it back. They were not watching the same
race I was evidently. They are a joke.

I am just proud to say I am a fan of such a classy driver in Dale Jr. He had every
opportunity in the world to bash Kyle and try to start something with him, and did not
do it. As much as we wanted him to as fans, Jr refused to stoop to Kyle’s level and say
something to or about him. He carries himself with such dignity and I am proud to call
myself a fan.

Jennifer in SC

Dear Claire,

I was at both races at Richmond. Our seat are in the tower . I watched the #79 car team of only 3 crew members struggle on pit stops. On the first time in the crew changes right tires, they went back out, back in and changes left tires, back out , back in and then got gas. I was really feeling bad for this team Then I noticed they had help on another pit stop. I didn’t have a list of drivers to see who it was and the person beside me had a list I found that it was Morgan Sheppard, and it was Kevin Harvick crew members when ever they had the time they would come down and help Sheppard’s team. What a nice thing to do for a lesser funded team. When the race was over my husband told me the he had heard that Tony Stewart & whom ever Tony does his show with, told Morgan that if he made the race he would pay for the tires.

I would like to know what happened to all of our NASCAR fans and their support for the troops? What happened to all the flags we used to see in the stands?. On Friday night there were two on Saturday night there was one. The one that my husband & I bring to every race that we attend. this flag has been to over 20 events in the last 4 years. The TV would show the stands if there was a flag. They don’t do that anymore. Why?.

We will also be attending the Darlington race this Saturday night, and we will have the flag with us and proudly show it. Ask ESPN for me why they don’t do this any more.?

I can’t wait to hear the driver introductions for Kyle Busch on Saturday night , the Dale jr fans will let him know their aren’t very pleased about.

Thanks
Eileen Manning

Springfield, PA.

Thanks
Eileen Manning

Claire,

Maybe Kyle needs someone to pop him in the nose, like Jimmy Spencer did to big brother Kurt. It turn things around for him. Kyle is headed that way. Mike

Hey RACEGIRL, was anxious to hear all the bullshit reviews of BUSH-LITTLE E-HAMLIN. your first hour had plenty. now for some ADULT comment.
lets remove the drivers names. u got one driver with flat tire that stopped on the track,
u got the new race leader, and the new second place car…
flat tire guy stops on track. why ? some say just disoriented in frustration. WHAT ! A cup level driver that does not know what to think of a flat tire. if so, maybe he is not quite ready for this job…
OR, as some say, it was on purpose-maybe told to do so- to assist a team mate. I happen to believe this choice . to me this is not in the spirit of professional racing.
next.
first vs second, for sure, second ran out of talent. first may have too. but seconds judgement failure caused a wreck… I believe this driver has a consistent problem with this. lucky for him his talent is of a very high level.

BIG PICTURE: BIGGEST SIN: STOPPING ON TRACK for team reasons
as for the roles of 1st vs 2nd… ask what would Mark Martin do ? Jeff Burton ?
I BELIEVE BOTH WOULD HAVE MADE AN EXCITING PASS TO WIN, IF IN 2ND PLACE ROLE..
(not wreck leader)

BIGGER QUESTION: to JGR. Is this behavior sanctioned by JGR ? if so, can we expect to someday see the 20 car and/or the 11 car TO slow AND LET the 18 win a race if points suggest it is GOOD FOR THE TEAM ?

QUESTION TWO: does JGR believe their sponsors should be proud of this TEAM APPROACH to NASCAR RACING ?

CLAIRE, WHAT IF these tactics happened at last race of season and decided season champ, or even just top-35 for DAYTONA ‘09… HMMMMMMMM

LES IN IOWA

Clare B

Enjoy the show.

Remember Kyle and Denny are team mates. Maybe Deny stopped on the track to “help” his team mate!

Ron of Dayton

I have heard comentator after comentator and caller after caller compare kyle’s driving style the the driving style of dale sr. “he drives aggressive like dale did”. ” he drives for the win like dale did”. Why are dale sr fans complaining? I think dale sr would have done the same thing to jr that kyle did. Do we want more exciting dals sr type drivers in nascar are not?
Kurt – Louisiana
Go Newman ! Go Junior!

I’m a jr fan but take a look at taladega from 2 weeks ago and I think jr
caused 3 wrecks with his driving
————————–

Claire,
Brian in NC is an IDIOT Kyle Busch would not make a pimple on Dale Earnhardt’s butt.
Scott

hey Claire, did ya here that Nascar has changed the OFFICIAL STARTER CHANT ?
yup. new one is:
GENTLEMEN and JGR DRIVERS, START YOUR ENGINES!

LES in Iowa

Claire,

I try to listen to you every day and really enjoy the show! Appreciate all you do for the fans and the sport!

A comment about Kyle … take the top 20 Cup drivers and tell them: “Be reckless. Be careless. Disregard your brain telling you it’s foolish, dangerous, bad or unethical.” What you get is twenty “hot” and “super-star” drivers that bear a remarkable resemblance to Kyle Busch. Yes, he’s good. They all are. Kyle just doesn’t care about the collateral damage.

Clay in San Antonio

Clair,

I am only able to catch a half hour of your show each day. I heard
some of the comments about the Kyle/Junior contact on your show
today. I feel it was a racing incident. Both drivers wanted the
Richmond win and were driving their hardest to get it.

If the Junior had spun Kyle, I doubt that there would be much
controversy about it. I don’t think Kyle (or anyone!) should have
to back off just because Junior hasn’t had a win for two years! I’d
like to see Kasey Kahne win again soon, too, but I don’t expect
another driver to slow down for him!

I agree with the person who thought Jimmy Spencer was out of line
blaming Kyle. Stirring things up brings Nascar better ratings, so
maybe that is why they try to lay blame. They started out doing that
on Fox during the race, too, until they looked at the replay. I
thought I heard Kyle apologize for the incident during his interview
after the race (on Victory Lane last night), didn’t you?

Kyle drives like Senior if you look back at some of his close racing
situations!

Thanks, Clair!

JS from ND

Claire B, it is obvious from Mr. Busch’s attitude that he can bump people and it is ok, but if anybody does it to him, oooohhhh noooooooooooo!!! I can tell that he has never had a good old Carolina mill hill ass-whoopin’, lol

Steven Wallace shoulda ripped off Kyle’s lips and used them to kiss his ass!!

Jimmy in Drayton, SC

Kyle Busch is a very talented race care driver, but…. If he is still wondering why Rick Hendrick dropped him he doesn’t have to look very far. This weekend and about every other weekend this year is exactly why he is with JGR. He has to look in the mirror and see why all these things happen to him. Through it all there has been one common denominator…Kyle Busch. He goes out and races so far out of control bouncing off walls, competitors, and even his own teammates. I love the fact after he puts himself in a controversial situation he blames everyone else. Kyle, you are a very talented young man, but just shut your mouth. Learn some self control and knock the chip off your shoulder. Everyone is not out to get you, because you are your own worst enemy.

Jason Sroufe
Troy, OH

Hey Claire,
Never been huge fan of Kyle but, we all know the kid can drive. Now, maybe
he is overhead a lot of the time if your next to him at these speeds.
As for Jr, he had room to move up also. I hope people could get over it as
racing.
None of us have a clue that Kyle “knew” he was going to come up into Jr.
Even Jr said Kyle could have taken him out in turn 2.
Please send the 20 around.

Hi Claire, Ok people listen up.re wind your tivos.Im more a junior fan than a kyle fan so you need to see the line junior ran the previous laps and i think you’ll see he pinched down on kyle and I dont think Kyle expected that.By the way driving over the edge is what makes winners just as nascar advertises”they drive over the edge, back over it and driver over it again. The world according to rantin Ray

Hey Claire B.,

During the ARCA race Joey L. passed five cars within one lap and didn’t wreck any of them, as a matter of fact he passed the whole field a few time and did not cause a wreck…Kyle Busch can not claim the same fame. I admit that Kyle has talent, but I think his oversized ego gets in the way of him being a great racer. A great racer wins without leaving carnage behind, IMO. I think Kyle could learn a few things from watching Joey race. I can only wish.

Joyce Bell
Newport, AR

Hamlin should have left the track before he caused the yellow. The 18 88
flap never would have happened.

Thanks Claire B

Duane
Menifee CA

Hi CBL,
Gotta put my two cents in about this. First, it was a racing incident. Kyle didn’t do it intentionally. Next, I am a Junior fan…Next I was a huge Dale Sr fan but am not a Jr fan because of him. I was buying his stuff and following him before he was ever a Busch Series threat. The deal Saturday sucks because Jr got wrecked and that’s all. I mean, he’s wrecked guys before, too. Now, I’ve told you this before, but I know you don’t remember….I am a racer. Drive local tracks. Used to be crewman/car chief in ASA, NCTS & ARCA, so you might say that I view things a little different than the usual fan. Additionally, I respect anyone who turns a wheel, although I may not like them. The issue I have with Kyle is the attitude….he oozes arrogance from every pore and the number one problem is the fact that he can dish it out, but refuses to spoon it in. DON’T compare him to Earnhardt. Yes, Dale was aggresive…yes, he got upset when he was roughed up. But, he didn’t do what Kyle does. Kyle got roughed up by Steve on Friday and it was the same deal as Saturday. Wallace could have backed off but didn’t. They were fighting for a top 5 spot with a handful of laps to go…it was just hard racing. But, Kyle didn’t like and made a spectacle of himself. Fast forward 24 hrs, and this time he is the one who didn’t back off, and now it’s no big deal…..that’s my problem with him. Now, I know Big Dale wasn’t happy when he was on the recieving end either, (and nobody is) but he just carried himself in a different way than Kyle. Kyle is just like Kurt was, and you would think that he would pull him aside and say, “Didn’t you learn anything from watching me!!!???” Anyway, I’m rambling now, but I think you get my point. Furthermore, to borrow a Ricky Rudd quote, “Kyle don’t amount to a scab on Dale’s backside.” (I think that was how it went) Soooo, thanks for the great show. The wife and I will be in Charlotte Saturday and stay the week to watch the All Star race….would be cool to get to meet you. Maybe we will see you around. Thanks again.
Duff
Standish, MI