Image by Getty Images via DaylifeHi Claire,

I should be thrilled right now because my favorite driver, Michael
Waltrip, finished second in yesterday’s race, and I am, but I’m also a
little bothered. Why? Because it seems that instead of giving credit
where credit is due to the drivers and teams that finished up front,
more than a few people are bending over backwards to say why those
finishes aren’t legitamite and why they didn’t deserve to finish as well
as they did. Yes, they used pit strategy to finish up front and yes,
they had luck on their side, but these teams also did a good job of
putting themselves in a position to finish as well as they did.

With Michael specifically he started the race 42nd and had a good
enough car to where he was able to race through the field on a track
where passing isn’t all that easy and track position is everything. Even
if strategy played a role, how is it that going from 42nd to 2nd isn’t
something good?! Around lap 80 Michael raced Kevin Harvick, who was the
leader at the time, very hard for ten or more laps until the caution
came out to stay on the lead lap. That Michael was able to keep from
going a lap down is what enabled the team to later make the call they
did which got them the second place finish. So the idea that a lot of
people have that Michael (or J.J. who raced with Michael for most of the
day) didn’t do any actual racing to get his second place finish or that
he had a bad car isn’t accurate. This is actually the third race in a
row that Michael’s had a pretty good car but at Michigan and Sonoma fuel
mileage strategy didn’t work out for them - this week it did.

I’ve heard it said that Kurt, Michael, J.J. and their teams have
nothing to be excited about but they most certainly do! For Kurt, a win
is a win no matter how he gets it. For J.J. and Michael and their teams
these are finishes which can give them some confidence that if the
pieces fall into place in the right way for them once, it can happen
again. It’s some momentum for them to take with them to Daytona - a
track which happens to be one of Michael’s best. Above all, for Michael
and J.J. it’s something to be happy about in a season where neither of
them have had much to cheer about.

Like clockwork after every race there are those who have to find fault
in everything, be negative about how the race went and tear down the
race winner if it wasn’t their favorite driver. Everyone has the right
to like and dislike who or what they want, but it would be nice if
people were also able to recognize a job well done by teams and drivers
like yesterday with Kurt, Michael, J.J. and some of the others who
finished up front.

Sorry for the long email but I anticipate that there will be a lot of
people emailing/calling in to talk about how Kurt’s win and the finishes
of those in the top five were’t legitamite and I felt the need to defend
them.

-Deborah
Hempstead, NY

I thought you’d like to read some of the many emails I have been getting. Some pretty great and interesting emails and many sharing their take on Montoya/Busch:

Subject: My Take on Montoya KB:
Claire,

If John Darby says “you just can’t hit somebody under caution..period” then ask him why Denny Hamlin was allowed to hit Brad Keleowski under caution a few weeks ago in the Nationwide race without being penalized. They were under caution and he SWERVED into him. Nothing was done…he got off scott free. And everybody knows it was no accident. Denny did it on purpose. It just proves that JGR is practically NASCAR’s golden child. Joe Gibbs and Toyota has NASCAR in his back pocket and they do whatever needs to be done to benefit them. As soon as Kyle Busch called for it on TV yesterday, I knew Juan would get penalized. It isn’t fair…and I am not even a Juan fan.

What happened yesterday needs to happen more often. More drivers need to take matters into their own hands and take care of Kyle and Denny, the punks, and what NASCAR says and does be damned. They need to take care of it because NASCAR sure isn’t going to do anything. Do you think Juan cares if NASCAR penalizes him? No He has nothing to lose and he isn’t putting up with Kyle’s crap. NASCAR can penalize him all day long and it just won’t matter. More drivers need to be more like him. To heck with the almighty NASCAR and their rules. Maybe if enough drivers start taking matters into their own hands, NASCAR will be forced to stand up and do something with drivers like Kyle and Denny.

Great show

Jennifer in SC

Subject: New Hampshire Race
Hi Claire B.
Amazing….Well the race was decent and Martin was able to gain points…I know that’s not the way he wanted to get them but we’ll take them anyway we can get them…Like I said The way it played out was great… I still don’t know why the leaders didn’t pit earlier but that was their screw up and other teams capitalized….The decision to pit or not pit seemed obvious but I guess not….Stewart… Johnson…
and the others beat themselves……But the field has gotten tighter and Truex is by no means out of the hunt….
Randy Henry
Old School With An Attitude
Go Martin Truex Jr….KICK ASS AND TAKE CAR NUMBERS
P.S. Montoya has always been a dirty driver, and with fenders he’ll only get worse

Subject: Last Sunday’s Race

Claire B.

I listened to part of your show on Monday, and must say I agreed with some, disagreed with others but thought some were from outerspace!!

Kyle Busch - yes I believe he got less than he deserved. The way he “bumps” and or “rubs” others isn’t clean racing. He seems to try to bend fenders in to take out any competition. He overdrives and wrecks people because he is to reckless. All the broadcasters say he has such great car control, well if he was so great why can’t he seem to stay off other cars during races?? I seem to remember a few years ago when NASCAR thought Kevin Harvick was driving to rough in a truck race and the made him sit out a cup race because of it. WHY OH WHY hasn’t NASCAR done something about Kyle this year? Ask Ron Hornaday what he thinks about Kyle!!

Now.. One other thing I am thinking is…. I believe that the yellow line should be out of bounds on all tracks just like Daytona and “Dega”.

Jamie McMurray should have been paying more attention to what was in front of him and not where he thought he might be in another 10 seconds! Jr. was off the track and doing what he was supposed to do. I can’t believe the listener said Jr should have gotten off the track onto the apron sooner. If this listener had his way, drivers would be on the apron going into turn 4 and coasting into the pits!!!

Thanks Claire B. for letting me vent! I am usally on my Motorcycle listening and can’t really call you when your are on the air.

Thanks
Ron in Chicago

Subject: Most used excuse for accidents:

Attended traffic school recently and after hearing Jaime’s excuse he sums it up that it is the same as regular driver’s, he was distracted!
Bob from CA
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Subject: Praying It’s Not True:
Man, I’m going to miss your show and I would love to hear if you bring up the latest I just heard - Mark Marting FT at Hendrick? Say it’s just a horrible rumor. I know - it’s silly season and every rumor is just a rumor, but I can’t take any more of Mark Martin. I believe he was heading out in 2005. Oops - something horrible might be happening. I hope he doesn’t talk Hendrick into a PT schedule and mess up yet another young driver’s chance. Why oh why did this rumor have to appear? OK, that’s my “happy Tues.” for ya. Good lord!

Subject: Spiked Kool- Aid:
Hey think Dave in texas would share his spiked kool aid? Did he not see the coke 600 kb and denny did too brad they got nothing jrs team got fined. He is ríght about his glasses. Lol ur right kb is always right

Subject: More reaction for Dave:
TELL THAT GUY IN TEXAS HE NEEDS TO CHECK HIS GLASSES CAUSE
KYLE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED!! HOPEFULLY HE WILL GET MORE
OF IT!!
DALE JR FAN!!

Subject: Rusty Back:
CBL: Bring Rusty back to the 2 - kurt 12 Tony from eau claire, WI

Subject: Aggressive Driving
Hi Claire B,

I think both Kyle and JPM were being aggressive and egging eachother on with some beatin’ and bangin’. But JPM was way out of line for intentionally taking Kyle out. What a weannie way to take out the points leader. I guess he couldn’t beat Kyle on the race track, so he took the cheap shot.

What Kyle said about how he didn’t want to win the race was a cheap shot to his brother and not at all becoming. Those two go at it.

But…….Kyle is only happy when he is winning, and he says things he shouldn’t when he doesn’t win. I think it’s all part of being intensely competitive. It’s the way he gets to his intensity and his phenomenal performance on the track. I guess the bottom line is that I enjoy watching the show he puts on so much that I excuse some of his bad behaviour when things aren’t going his way. And I still believe he really is a good kid.

Cynda

Subject: The Anger Inside:
Claire,

It is possible Montoya has been harboring this hostility all week since the Infineon Race, figuring he was the better road racer but didn’t win it. This is nothing more than a simple case of immature jealousy towards Kyle Busch on Montoya’s part that Juan couldn’t keep in check. Those who call in or write who support Montoya’s actions on the track show their simple-mindedness.

Sandy
NASCAR Fan from Georgia

Subect: Busch -When Chase Starts They are After Him
Claire,
I think Kyle should really go at these drivers in the Cup races for the next
9 races. Bump em’, spin em’, piss em’ off real good!!
~that way they can all get him when the chase starts!!!
~Kyle is a douche bag he couldn’t even congradulate his own brother for his
win!
~TOO much pride is not a good thing.
~Best part of the New Hampshire race Montoya spinnin’ Busch, lol!

Love your show!
Jennifer
in Arkansas

Subject: Kyle Busch
Claire, Kyle Bush needs to read the nascar rulebook. He said Montoya was racing him back to the caution flag? They haven’t done that in almost 5 years. And then be said he didn’t know why Montoya hit him. Kyle made a real aggressive move and almost stuck montoya in the wall under green and them got into him again passing him under the yellow. Memo to kyle, when the yellow comes out the field I’d frozen. Danny from Buffalo

Subject: Montoya:
Juan needs to remember: Action speaks louder than words. I agree that if he kept his mouth shut and made his action during the race! Hard racing and taking someone else out can be masked.
B from CA
Sent via BlackBerry

Subject: Headline Suggestion:
THESE ARE TWO HEADLINES FOR YA CLAIRE B.
KURT BUSCH USES RAIN AS FUEL FOR FIRST 08 WIN
HEADLINE FROM TENNESSEAN.COM/ NASHVILLE

Subject: Go MWR
CBL: First and Foremost Prayers for the Jason Arden Family and Eric Darnell.
Ya Its me a nuty wal-nut Proud and Happy for Mikey and David !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mc Flipper had a bad break with a mis shift.

I believe this will get momentum going for MWR,can not wait for Daytona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care Claire

Leslie Eaton Addison Mi

Subject: Montoya/Busch
Okay Claire B today is going to be the test of what these fans are all about, if they are Kyle haters they will praise Montoya if thy are just Nso called Nascar Purists then they will cricticize JPM similar to what the guy that emailed you on Friday saying shocking/stupid when Carpentier had the pole, it seems that it is not stupid when Jeff Gordon qualified last at least twice last year and got the pole.

Also I am sure that Jaime Mc Murray will be the target of scorn and hate today because he wrecked the untouchable.

All in all I thought that JPM had a great race coming all the way from 33 I wish he would have stayed out but oh well, he was the lowest qualifier of the doges and the highest running of all of them.

Take care I cant wait to listen today.

By the way I never heard if you said anything about my last email about the good ol boys and aggressive driving wondering what Kevin and the other boys will say about it.

jose

Subject: On Monte Dutton’s Points on Dialed In Monday:
CBL: i thought the point about smaller fuel cells causing more fuel mileage races.. excellent point and logic… now as for why more people didn’t stay out to comiserate with rain,i would point out if im mid pack and see jj yeley and mikey stasy out and johnson, gordon, smoke, newman come in let me ask you this if your reputation and job waso n line in race world would you follow the lead of tony stewart or mikey? Johnson or JJ Yeley?i imagine many were gong to stay out til they seen the great minds who stayed out and thought better of it..

Subject: Go Kurt
HEY CLAIRE, CONGRATS 2 KURT AND HIS TEAM U NEEDED THAT WIN, GO GET SOME MORE, FRM TIM IN NOVA SCOTIA CANADA

You can contact me at xxxxxx
Vous pouvez me joindre au xxxxxx.

Subject: Five Driver Limit:
Hello Claire,

I haven’t heard much chatter about NASCAR’s 4 cars per team limit and the Roush Gang. Isn’t this the last year for their exeption from this? They have been signing long term contracts with their drivers with no sign of letting any one go.

Thanks for putting on a great show each week.

Regards,
Dean Long

Subject: Gordon et all:
Dear Claire;
I thought the race yesterday was pretty good, it was solid race with strategy making the difference. Several of the top finishers dearly need the finishes they got. A very nice day for Kurt Busch and the 2 team, they have had a very uneven year and yes this was a mileage and weather win but it is just as valid as his brothers win last week. And for Michael Waltrip and J.J. Yeley much needed good results, getting them into the top 35 and not having to worry about qualifying at Daytona. As for my driver Jeff Gordon, I was pleased with the day, the 24 ran very well all day and if not for weather he may well have gotten a top 10 finish. I am sure that many are questioning Steve Letarte’s decision to pit, I don’t they couldn’t take the chance of the rain not coming and running out of gas. Making the chase is so important and you can’t make a rash decision unless you are the 18 team right now. And unless you are in the top 5 you can’t count on a fuel strategy working, all the teams are focused on fuel mileage and if they say they can make it or under a lap short you can guarantee they will make it to the end. Now a few thoughts; It appears that Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne need a time out, synchronized spinning is not the way to a top finish boys. And what an awful crash for Dale Jr. and Jamie McMurray, I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Still I have to wonder if Dale Jr. was nearly out of gas and that is why he made the abrupt move to pit road, so I can see why Jamie may not have been able to avoid the crash. And not a banner day for Roush/Fenway, none of their teams ran particularly well. It did seem to me that the final out come of the race may have ripped the heart out of Tony Stewart; this could be the straw that breaks the seasons back. Tony is barely holding on to the top 12 and he hasn’t had the finishes that build confidence, I have to worry that he may have trouble staying in the top 12, especially with the way Matt Kenseth has been running the last 6 weeks. And finally Kyle Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya, I didn’t see anything in the way Kyle was driving that should have caused the reaction of Juan Pablo. He did crowd him a bit and frankly neither car was all that good, so I understand they both were frustrated still Juan Pablo intentionally spun Kyle out. NASCAR can not continue to tolerate drivers using their cars as weapons and that is what Juan Pablo did. There is never an excuse for that behavior, it must be stopped and the only what to do that is to make penalties punitive, suspend the driver and take away significant driver points. That is the only way they will learn. And for those who aren’t familiar with Juan Pablo why do you suppose he was never able to get a F1 ride when he was released 3 years ago, it is his temper and his reprisals on the track not his talent.
And I wanted to say a little something about the IRL race on Saturday night. To my mind there are some tracks that shouldn’t have an IRL race and Richmond is one of them. These cars have gotten to fast for this very short track, and all we got were wrecks. I even said to my Mother, I wouldn’t be surprised if every car crashed out before the end. Thankfully that didn’t happen and Tony Kanaan got a well deserved win still Tony George needs to rethink the tracks they run on, just because NASCAR races there doesn’t mean open wheel cars with ungodly down force and run well over 200 miles an hour should be there. I realize that they go to these track’s so they can bundle tickets with the NASCAR weekends but Richmond and to a lesser degree Miami-Homestead aren’t set up to handle open wheel cars. And it is time that the IRL realizes this, frankly these cars are at there best on road course. It may be time for IRL to add mostly road courses to there season and lose most of the ovals.

Thank You,

Sue from Shorewood, IL

Subject: TNT:
C B, T-Shirt John here, again TNT coverage of the race was lacking. Enough with the Viagra commercials, maybe if they gave viagra to the 3 cameras they had at the track they would stay on the race longer with less commercials. Race coverage lasting longer than 4 hours with no commercials consult the ratings.

T-Shirt John
Houston.

Subject; TNT:
Hi Claire B:

I just have to express my disgust with TNT’s coverage of today’s race. It was shortened by rain, but instead of taking advantage of that fact and giving us a good post-race show, they rushed off after only interviewing the winner and the two combatants in the last wreck! People like Michael Waltrip and JJ Yeley, who finished 2nd and 3rd deserved their 30 seconds in the limelight! How often does either of them get a top 5? TNT couldn’t hold on for five more minutes to talk to those two? Shame on them. They’ll dedicate an hour and a half to prerace coverage (some of which was not new - we’ve seen the story of David Ragan’s brother many times), but can’t spare a few minutes for postrace stories. I’m very disappointed in them.

- Tricia in CA

IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE RAIN AND BAD WEATHER/DANGEROUS - DRIVERS SCRAMBLING - LIGHTENING ETC:
Claire: I can certainly understand the difficulty if that was the case, but if so, why didn’t they just say so? They didn’t even mention it. A simple “we wanted to interview the top five drivers, but due to adverse weather conditions, we were unable to do so”, or something like that. Just to ignore it and dash off the air left a bad taste in my mouth. Thanks for answering me!

Subject: Go Juan:
WOOHOO!! MY NEW FAVORITE DRIVER JUAN!! CLAIRE I KNOW
THIS IS MEAN… OH THAT WAS PRICELESS TO SEE KYLE BUSCH
GET WRECKED BY JUAN!! FINALLY SOMEBODY GIVES KYLE
BACK A LITTLE OF WHAT KYLE HAS BEEN DISHING OUT ALL
YEAR!!
AS FAR AS JAIME MAC AND JR WHAT THE HECK CAN WE BUY
THE MAN A PAIR OF GLASSES!! JR COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY
HURT IN THAT WRECK AND TOOK HIM OUT OF CONTENTION!!
THANKS CLAIRE FOR LETTING ME VENT!!

TAKE CARE!!
HELEN N.C.

Subject: Light
Claire, I was thinking that Maybe Nascar could install some sort of brite lites to inform drivers that someone preparing to enter pit road for service. Or they need to stop drivers from going below the yellow line near pit road entrance this would prevent a wreck as well. Daniel Raeford North Carolina.

Note: Nascar says, ” To have an indicator light like this on pit road could confuse the situation even more, as drivers often times decoy that they are going to pit – as part of race strategy – but don’t actually cross the commitment line. If you had a light, it could mistakenly get triggered when actually the driver is not pitting. Drivers must rely on their spotters to be watchful of other cars pitting.”

Subject: Probation
Claire,
Just a quick thought. There’s been a huge amount of discussion regarding what it means to be on probation.

Try this out for size. Probation means starting dead last (behind past champions provisional) on the field, for every race while they’re on probation. They could still get their pit selection based on their qualifying times, but they must start the race from the back. It would definitely set up the ingredients for excitement, if for example, you put shrub 43rd with the fifth fastest car, in qualifying. Just think about a place like Martinsville. Now that would be REAL excitement. Talk about incentive to not be put on probation, that would be it.

Semper Fidelis, Lee from Ellicott City, Maryland

Always Faithful,
Mr. Lee Egleston, Jr.

Subject: KB Should Congratulate Brother
Hi Claire,
Hope the family is doing good!!
1) Kyle Busch is a little twirp!! He is the one of the rudest people in racing today…..I think he has Tony beat!!
The least he could have done was say something positive about his brother winning the race instead of,
“I could have won by fuel mileage but that’s not the way I choose to win”………Blah, blah, blah!!
First of all, the guys up front (my man Mikey) had been to the pits earlier than the other guys and their strategy was to go all the way to the finish (or at least try)……..Hey, how many races have been won by thinking outside the box?

2) As you can tell I definitely am not a fan of Kyle Busch but Nascar needs to do something about Juan P.M. and his little hissy fit with Kyle……Thank goodness no other cars were involved but no thanks to Juan, just good driving by the other guys……..If he doesn’t like something that’s just tough and doesn’t listen to anyone else. This is not the first time something like this has happened…………

3) It was not Jamie’s fault he ran into Dale Jr……..He (Jamie) didn’t even see him which is not unusual from what I hear.. If Dale was going to pit he could have gotten off the track more……….

Let it be known that race fans are interested in “ALL” of the points for the drivers, not just the top 20…….

Thanks for everything,
Talk to ya later

Maggie
Savannah, GA

Subject: Jeff Gordon 101
Jeff Gordon 101 here – Nice to speak with you again, I have been on hiatus for a few weeks. I have indeed been listening to your show, but have been too frustrated at times to send you an e-mail. I have a few comments about this past weekend’s race…and my points and views are going to be all over the board so just hang with me.
1.) TNT and their coverage of any & all NASCAR races is absolutely the worst coverage I have ever seen. I hated it last season and hate it even more this season. Do you really need that many damn commercials?! And not only that, but do I need to see a Viagra commercial at every commercial break?! I don’t know about you, but Viagra would only slow some of us guys down!!! Fox is by far the best coverage of all – NASCAR, the NFL, MLB, NHL, etc. The only bad thing about FOX’s coverage is having to listen to DW try to court Dale Jr and the number 18 car for all 500 miles of every race!!! I hate that, because I have always liked listening to DW and his comments, but for the last two seasons you would swear that he is auditioning for a date with either Dale Jr or the number 18 car. I suppose the bright spot is that “digger” is gone until next year…I liked the camera angle, but can somebody please run over that damn digger and get it over with already?!

2.) My heart really goes out to Stewart…if he didn’t have bad luck, then he would have no luck at all!!! I was really pulling for him to have a good finish. To lead all those laps and to finish where he did?! Yes, the pit strategy and the rain kind of bit him just as it kind of did my driver as well. I don’t think Stewart will have any trouble making the chase, but I do indeed hope his luck turns around for him…just so long as he finishes “one” spot or so behind Gordon.

3.) I was very pleased to see Casey Mears do as well as he did!!! I have always liked him – especially his uncle back in the day. I hate that he will not be with HMS next season. I really don’t think it had anything to do with “his fault” or not “his fault”…I believe it was just one of those corporate racing decisions that you hear about. I really hope that he finds a ride next season…and not just any old ride, but a ride that is half-way decent…a ride that is at least competitive. I am just a firm believer that the “fourth” car in the HMS stable has always had it’s share of trouble for some reason or another…maybe they are not privy to sharing information with the other teams, maybe they are not allowed to sit in on the other teams round table meetings, maybe they only get a certain percentage of the HMS money that the other three teams get, maybe this fourth car is just being used as a tax write-off, etc. Please tell Casey – if you happen to see him – that there is a Jeff Gordon fan here that hates to see him go and wishes him the best of luck!!!

4.) Juan Pablo you are my hero!!! I absolutely loved it!!! Juan Pablo you are my hero!!!

5.) Jeff Gordon – If you haven’t read the article by David Caraviello on NASCAR.COM dated 06/26, then you should read it. Gordon is frustrated and you can almost hear him crying for help in this article. I have to admit that I was really impressed this past weekend at New Hampshire. He actually seemed like he had the best car that he’s had all season, he hovered in the top five & top three for the majority of the race, he was fighting with other drivers making it difficult to pass him, he was really driving hard making the act of passing him a little more difficult than he has for the majority of this season thus far, etc. I was really impressed and loved the fight that he was showing. And then came that damn rain!!! On that last restart after Gordon and everybody else came in to pit there were what 10-15 laps left in the race? Anyway, all eight of those guys who stayed out instead of pitting when Gordon and all of the others pitted would have ran out of gas before the end of the race putting Gordon, Stewart, Johnson, etc. back up front where they were prior to that last pit stop?! I was so looking forward to a top three finish, but the damn rain had to screw everything up. Hopefully, this strong run this past weekend – although the finish doesn’t show it – will hopefully give the number 24 team some confidence for the next coming weeks. One more thing, I think I am going to scream if I hear one more person from the media say, “That number 24 team is struggling, but as soon as they get it figured out they will go on a tear and win a lot of races.” So the season if just barely past the half-way point and they haven’t “figured it out” yet so please just shut the hell up!!!

6.) Please send that 24 car around 20 more times to get us to 101 wins!!!

ratnrace

On Scott Speed Winning the NCTS Race at Dover:

Hey Claire
You know you are going to have to give Speed crap about those nails now. Everybody is cracking up about that. Maybe it gave him a bit of luck. Maybe he can go paint Vickers toe nails so I can finally see him in victory lane again That boy is different from anything we are used to seeing. When I saw him posing on the hood of that car, man I think we are in for a crazy ride with this one.

————–

CBL: With Ron Hornaday behind him on a restart and Sprague right behind him with about 20 to go. Hornaday had a broken header or something and Sprague passed him but couldn’t touch Scott. Scott Speed??? And at Dover?

————–
Speed must be hanging with Danica and she convinced him it was cool. Send Smoke around
Scott R
————–

QUESTIONS IN CBL E-MAIL:

CB: after the 600 race Sunday night we were sitting in front of our RV watching the parade of traffic leaving the LMS. Our site is behind the credential’s building but on the road that runs into Morehead Road which the teams and attendee’s use to enter and leave the track. After most of the traffic had settled down to a trickle two roll backs used by Nascar went by and went west on Morehead Road toward the front of the track. On one was Kasey Kahne’s and the other Tony Stewart’s cars. These were not show cars because they both had the wings removed (only the brackets were attached to the deck lid) plus show cars do not use roll backs anyway. I thought it was strange as those were the only two cars that went by not in their haulers. I have been looking on line since to see if Nascar confiscated them or what and have found nothing. Have you heard of a reason for them to do such a thing?

Wayne and Sandy Westphal

Here’s a CBL answer for Wayne and Sandy:

Ever since NASCAR introduced the new car last year - they always take the race winner (#9) and random car (in this case the #20) - back to the R&D Center for post race inspection. They both checked out fine - standard procedure.

Claire B
——————————————-

On a fan visit to Charlote, NC:

DEAR CLAIRE B.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO TRAVEL THIS WINTER ON JANUARY 5TH (MY 50TH BIRTHDAY) TO NASCAR COUNTRY, I WAS ABLE TO GO TO LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY, WHAT A WONDERFUL TRACK! & TOOK A TOUR THERE, I WENT TO VISIT THE SAM BASS GALLERY BUT THE DAY I WENT IT WAS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. I VISITED THE RICHARD CHILDRESS MUSEUM, WHICH I LOVED, IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL FOR ME TO SEE ALL THE #3 CARS, OF COURSE I CRIED, I PURCHASED SEVERAL ITEMS @ THE GIFT SHOP. I VISITED HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, & WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE FACILITY SPECIALLY THE MUSEUM, WHERE I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT ALL THE DRIVERS THAT EVER DROVE FOR RICK WERE ACKNOWLEDGED IN PICTURES, TROPHIES ETC. I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED WHEN I VISITED DALE EARNHARDT INC. THE BIGGEST SURPRISE TO ME WAS THE BLACK & WHITE PICTURE OF DALE THAT I HAD SEEN IN THEIR WEB SITE WAS MISSING FROM THE LOBBY, ALSO THERE WAS NOT A PICTURE OR TROPHY MENTIONED OF DALE JR., STEVE PARK OR MICHAEL WALTRIP, IT SEEMED LIKE THEY NEVER DROVE FOR DEI & THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE TRACK WERE NOT RECOGNIZED. I LEFT WITH A VERY HEAVY HEART, I WAS ABLE TO SEE FROM A DISTANCE ACROSS FROM DEI, DALE JR.’S HOUSE, BUT SAW NO ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY.
I ATTENDED THE 2001 DAYTONA 500 RACE & AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THE WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN ON ME WHEN I HEARD ON THE RADIO OF DALE’S DEATH, WHILE DRIVING FROM DAYTONA TOWARDS ORLANDO ON I-4 WEST. IT WAS A HORRIBLE SHOCK & I WAS IN DENIAL. DALE’S DEATH AFFECTED ME FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS,SPECIALLY WITH ALL THE MEMORIALS ON MAGAZNES, NEWSPAPERS, T.V.
I CRIED FOR A LONG TIME WHENEVER I SAW HIS PICTURE, SPECIALLY WHEN I RETURNED TO DAYTONA U.S.A. & SAW THE WONDERFUL STATUE OUTSIDE OF THIS FACILITY, WHAT A PRECISE LIKENESS, I WANTED THE STATUE TO COME TO LIFE, MANY PEOPLE WERE TAKING PICTURES, SOME LEAVING FLOWERS ETC. I HAVE RETURNED MANY TIMES SINCE 2001, & I HAVE BEEN SURPRISED THAT THE AREA SURROUNDING DALE’S STATUE IS VERY UNKEPT, IT HAS OVERGROWN BUSHES, I’M SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS, I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE STAFF @ THE TRACK, BUT IT HAS FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. AFTER DALE’S DEATH & AFTER A CONSIDERABLE TIME OF GRIEVING, I CHOSE KEVIN HARVICK AS MY DRIVER, I LOVE THE WAY HE CARRIES HIMSELF, HE’S GOT FIRE IN HIS VEINS, HE WILL NEVER REPLACE DALE BUT HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB DRIVING FOR RICHARD. CLAIRE, I HOPE YOU MENTION TO THERESA,( IF YOU EVER RUN INTO HER), ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AS A FAN WHEN I VISITED DEI & ABOUT MY DISSAPOINTMENT, ASK HER IF DALE’S BLACK & WHITE PICTURE WILL EVER BE PUT BACK IN THE LOBBY, REMIND HER SHE IS WHERE SHE IS & HAS ALL THAT WEALTH BECAUSE OF DALE. REMIND HER ABOUT DALE’S FANS & HOW THEY VIEW ALL THE HAPPENINGS @ DEI, JR’S LEAVING, & THE WELL DOCUMENTED ANIMOSITY THAT SHE’S HAD TOWARS JUNIOR FOR YEARS, WASN’T SHE THE ONE WITH THE IDEA OF SHIPPING JUNIOR TO MILITARY SCHOOL? CASE CLOSED!

KEEP UP DOING YOUR WONDERFUL RADIO SHOW THAT FANS LIKE ME, LOVE TO LISTEN TO.
LOVE…
GLADYS MENDEZ/////KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA

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On Conspiracy Theory Thursday (Thursday’s on “Dialed In):

Claire B: Instead of Smoke snitching on Haas to drive the price down, wouldn’t it make more sense that someone at JGR who doesn’t want Tony to leave did it to point out to Smoke how bad the Haas cars are?

I still think Hendricks had something to do with the adjustable wing feature but that’s not as interesting as who snitched to Nascar.

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Why hasn’t the 20 won a cup race this year?

MAybe Chevy/GM told him not to win in a Toyota, hmm? I net 20 is driving a Chevy in 09!

Marcus from Chicago.
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On Ratings increase:

Hey CBL,

As a Ward Burton and Bobby Lebonte fan my take on the ratings going up is three fold. Some of it could very well be Kyle Busch, he is exciting to watch (unless he is acting like a brat) I think too, it could be the Jr. Nation so hungry for Jr.’s first win in forever. Added to that, as far as sports go right now the pickings are pretty slim. My husband is not a NASCAR fan but there are time when a golf game or tennis match isn’t on he will tune into a race. As soon as College football and the NFL are back on he will no longer be tuning in. I have my own TV near my computer so I can keep an eye on track pass, and I have to wear the head phones, or he will drown me out with his football…He also likes College basketball and like NASCAR fans counts the days down until his sport of choice is back in full swing. He thinks the NASCAR season is way too long, since he has to put up with his NASCAR fanatic wife…I am amazed he knows so much about NASCAR and even has opinions on the different subjects pertaining to the sport. He does have to listen to your show if he is home during those hours, every once in a while he will tell me to email you this or that depending what his thoughts are on the subject at hand. Man, this turned into a book. Love your show.

Joyce B.
Arkansas
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On HAAS CNC NASCAR Penalties

I applaud HCNC for pushing the limits.
Based on the hit HMS and DEI got last year this seems inline. However what does not seem fair is that the Cat in the Hat has been monkey’in with the car and what did they get hit with? Yes a wet noddle.

And NASCar please admit that this car is NOT doing what you promised

Bob in MD
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Dear Claire;

I listened to Bootie Barker last night after the penalties came down, you could hear the pain in his voice. And although he said he didn’t think this was a death penalty but in reality it is. For a modest sized team barely in the top 35 for the 66 and just outside of it for the 70 it is a crippling blow. And the real key to how severe the penalty is, it is the loss of both the crew chief and the car chief’s for 6 races. For a team on a limited budget with far fewer employees to draw from both teams are in serious trouble. Both teams need the continuity of having their crew’s together every week at the track, and although they will be at the shop they won’t be there to over see the race. That is really what could make this a lost season for both teams by the time we get to August. The one bright spot is that they have Hendrick equipment and the Scott Riggs is a very good qualifier and Jason Leffler shows lots of promise. Still if they miss races they risk losing sponsors and that could hurt the team going forward. And I have to ask if you are to believe the Haas teams, and for sake of argument I will, and these issues in the back deck lid were inadvertent and that the cars have continually passed inspections race after race why such a sever penalty. Why didn’t the Roush 99 team get this penalty when they were discovered with the oil tank lid askew, and that team also said that this was inadvertent; so if one believes Roush racing and they only get a 100 point penalty and only the crew chief is suspended then why give this penalty to the Haas team’s. If as NASCAR has said they are going to escalate penalties why did the 99 team receive the same penalty that the Hendrick teams did last season at Sonoma. If you are going to apply that policy then the 99 should have gotten a harsher penalty, and frankly Roush Racing can weather those penalties much better than Haas CNC. Now if you are Tony Stewart and still serious about ownership of this team you can look at it in 2 ways, these teams have been weakened to the point that Tony has no competition from team mates and will be the biggest dog on the block, and don’t underestimate that playing into his decision to leave JGR. But the other way to look at it is the team will lose value and it will be a much better deal for Tony to buy into and he would have more money to put into the team to make it better. If Tony does go to Haas he won’t have any trouble getting sponsor’s for his car and his mere presents will help his team mates get sponsors. This is speculation on my part but from what I keep reading on line it seems more likely that Tony leaves JGR sooner not later and it appears that he is only interested in a team that he can own, and that points directly to Haas.

Thank You,
Sue from Shorewood, IL

Image via WikipediaGood day! In the email category - I got a note the other day from a listener who said that no one ever mentions the loyal group of Michael Waltrip fans. The emailer said that although the broadcasters mention the “Said heads” and the “Blaniacs” they never mention the “Wal-Nutz.” Now, I’m not going to lie to you I had not ever heard of the Wal-Nutz, although I have had a bunch of Michael Waltrip fans on the air over the years- but I mentioned this email on the air about the Wal-Nutz and and since then have heard from a number of this band of Waltrip fans. They sound to me to be fun loving and extremely devoted to Michael Waltrip.

I say again as I have said before, die hard fans die hard and often inside for their driver and it’s always good to hear about or meet fans who are not just cheering for a guy who wins every week but for any guy who maybe struggles and doesn’t win all the time -and still his fans are behind him. That’s character -and I wish this group well. Thanks for the emails.

Claire B

______________________________________________
To Claire B Lang,

Just wanted to thank you for mentioning Michael Waltrip’s fans, the Wal-Nutz. I have been a Mikey fan for many years and am very happy to be a member of the Wal-Nutz.

I live in Iowa, so the only race that I can attend is at Kansas Speedway. If you saw a sign in the Tradin’ Paint audience the last two years at Kansas that said “Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Wal-Nutz”, that was me!!!

Besides cheering for Mikey, the group has donated money to charities that he supports.

Sincerely,

Betty Clark
Council Bluffs, Iowa

______________________________________________

Hi Claire,

Just wanted to let you know that we appreciate any coverage of MWR drivers, crew, and of course our head nut Michael. The teams are hanging in there and obviously doing better than in 2007 but we have our hearts set on seeing one of MWR’s Toyota Camry’s in Victory Lane this year. It may be a lot to ask for but we believe in thinking positive and one way for the sponsors to know we’re out here supporting all of them through MWR is to hear David, Michael, and Mc D’s names often. It really means a lot to us.

Thanks!

Debi (napagirl)
California

______________________________________________
I’m a Wal~Nut (proud fan of Michael Waltrip) and it’s great to be a Wal Nut.
I’m also a loyal listener of your show. I hope you can send the 55 car around for us Nutz.

Jeannie Rush
Greenwood, AR

______________________________________________
Hi Claire,

I don’t have XM but I get recaps of what you talk about and from those all that I hear about you is that you are awesome and fair and just. I just wish that I could get XM but I will wait.

Thank you for your positive and great press on Michael Waltrip and Michael Waltrip Racing. I am a Wal-Nutz and proud of it. I am a huge supporter of Mikey. Please continue to give the great press for Mikey and MWR. Would please also send the 55 around to Victory Lane?

Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Amy Stabler
Winter Haven, FL
Proud Wal-Nut
______________________________________________
Claire,

Thanks for doing such a wonderful show! What a great job you do.

I’m a member of the WalNutz – between your show and Michael’s, you two make listening a pleasure. Hope both are renewed for next year.

Carolyn Bryant

I know you have heard from some of Mikey’s other WalNutz so I wanted to email you and say that I am a proud member of Mikey’s WalNutz. And for the IMer who wanted to know if that is a good thing-it is the BEST!! We have a great fan base and we enjoy each other and Mikey. Don’t forget-Vote for Mikey and send that 55 around for all us Nutz!! Sharon from Texas
______________________________________________
Hi Claire,

I’m just another one of the Wal-Nutz, aka Michael Waltrip fans,
emailing you to ask you to send the #55 car around for us! We sure do
hope that Michael gets into the All-Star race this weekend either by
racing his way in or by being voted in.

Thursdays are the best - I listen to your show on my commute home and
then I listen to Michael’s show immediately following. Unfortunately for
me since I commute from New York to New Jersey I’m often stuck in
traffic and still in the car then but listening to your awesome show and
Michael’s show helps make it easier to handle!

As always, thanks for all the great interviews and all - I love that
you’ve been having some of the Camping World East and West Series
drivers on! It’s hard to find coverage of the East and West Series so
listening to your show is a great way of keeping up with what’s going on
with the drivers in those series - in any series really!

Thanks again,
Deborah

Hempstead, NY

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

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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

Image via WikipediaCBL E:MAILS: I got a pile of emails on ESPN’s moving the live telecast of Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond International Speedway tonight from ESPN2 to a simulcast on ESPN Classic and Speed as well as ESPN360.com. The change was made to accommodate NBA playoff game six between Washington and Cleveland. ESPN will replay the race at approximately 9:30 p.m. after the game. Here’s a cross section of my mail box:

——————-

I’m glad ESPN made a decision even if it is wrong. IMHO any sport that ever had a strike and canceled an event does not deserve to be on TV.
Don on the road in TX
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Since we lost the entire prerace show at Phoenix to the restart of the Boston/Yankee game, Fox is as guilty as ESPN or ABC.

But in Los Angeles we have REAL issues with ABC. Last year one of the chase races was moved off ABC to a digital ABC channel so that we could watch Malibu burn for 5 hours. If you didn’t have digital tiers you couldn’t watch the race. Mind you every other news station was on the fire but Fox, who went to Football, so there were lots of places to watch Malibu burn but no where to watch the race.

Then the last, most important, race of the year at Homestead, instead of the hour plus prerace show to build up all the drama of the day to come, local ABC decided to show us back to back episodes of Zach and Cody.

And they wonder why they can’t build up a fan base in Southern CA.

Diane

—————–

To much is being made of this. I think they have made every effort to accomodate the fans. With all the stations that will be showing it live and replay I think they have made it accessible to everyone.
Other events have been moved like this before I am sure you can confirm this.

I do not believe that if it was the Cup that they would have moved Nascar because it is Nationwide but at least they are trying.
Bob from CA
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
————

Hi Claire B…
I don’t watch ball sports so I could care less about the b-ball playoff….So if they think the Busch race is not important enough to run it live or on the regular channell …Then it’s not important enough for me to stay up and watch the tape delayed version or bother to try and find it….Vote Robbie (Gordon) in….
Randy
————

Tape the basketball game or put it on espn classic.
john calif.
—————-
Hey Claire,

Why does Nascar always take a back seat to NFL, NBA and other sports? I unfortunately do not get ESPN 360 or Classic, what does that me for my area?

Thanks
Lisa in New Jersey

Claire, the posting you made regarding the Penske Truck Leasing employee who passed away and the assistance that the company provided his family, (including the procession of trucks at his burial) made its way to me this morning. I will share it with Roger when we meet later today as I know he will appreciate it. I thank you posting it and for one of our associates sending it to me.

All the best,
Bud

Bud Denker
Senior Vice President
Executive Vice President
Penske Automotive Group/Penske Racing

The fun side of NASCAR fans!

Claire B:
I had to send you these. My co-workers know I love NASCAR. Instead of
the usually black stuff I got a Hawaiian theme complete with a Tony Stewart
Hula girl! Terri
PS—it was my 50th! YUCK!

Terri

Hey all: I got an email (Saturday April 19th) that really touched me and I thought I’d pass it on to you on this site. A “Dialed In” listener emailed me to tell me about something maybe Roger Penske is not even aware of. One of the employees who wore the Penske name died and because of the company he worked for was buried properly. The man’s roommate contacted me to have me get some kind words to Roger Penske. I suggested that I post the information on this site so that all kinds of people get to see it and the listener agreed. I will also pass the note on to folks at Penske so that Roger sees it.

Claire B
XM Satellite Radio

Read on:

Today we buried my Roommate, who worked for Penske as a diesel Mechanic in Williamsburg the last 2 years of his life, his name was Jimmy Thrower, He never Met Roger, but the camaraderie and the well run business was the best job he had in many a year. Jimmy had some troubled times in his personal life and family life, and he hadn’t made arrangements but had expressed his wishes, When his estranged family went to make arrangements it seemed many of his wishes may have to be sacrificed, but the saving grace was the classy people at Penske had a life insurance policy on their employees. while it didn’t cover everything it made the wishes of Jimmy within reach. At the cemetery while waiting for the ceremony the first emotional moment was when the guys from the local Penske Shop showed up in a parade of Penske Yellow truck bumper to bumper in caravan. This gesture brought me to tears as well as others. I have thanked the local guys but I asked a friend in Claire to let Roger know we appreciate his classy organization and the way they treat their employees, as well as how good a team of guys he had here locally. It helped more than Roger will ever know and I thank him from the bottom of my heart as does his family. Roger has always has shown in the past in any circumstance he is a class act and I thank him and his management team for creating an atmosphere where employees are taken care of as well as appreciated. His local Manager even spoke out at the service. I’m not sure what else to say except The Captain has all my respect even more then ever before.

Robert Waldram
Williamsburg VA

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