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YowserYowser
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 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:10 am Post subject:  Who's going to be the break-out old man of the year? |
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Will it be Mark Martin in the 5 for Hendricks Motorsports?
Or
Bobby Labonte in the 41 running Childress-Earnhardt engines for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing?
Who's Bobby's crew chief again? |
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Pegasus12
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: |
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| I'm assuming the crew chief for the 41 will be Steve Lane unless Labonte demands to bring in someone else. I think they will both be disappointing. Martin will have better cars than Labonte but Martin is over the hill. I know he runs well in his current schedule but that's a lot different than going through the weekly grind. He was always well rested in the schedule he was running. I give it 7 to 10 weeks before he starts to remember why he semi-retired in the first place and struggles the rest of the year. I don't think Labonte has the drive or will have the equipment to do any better than he did in the 43. |
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checkersorwreckers98
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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 The first old man breakout win could be the first race Michael Waltrip is a strong contender at DAYTONA 500!  |
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YowserYowser
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject: Other cranky old men |
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Does Rob Gordon qualify as an old man and does this move him from tool to being cranky since I not certain he qualifies as "James Hylton-tankerous" since he is now 40?
But you're right Checkers. Bootie's on board and has an agenda.
Ooo Daytona better not disappoint on the dramarama. |
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Pepsiman
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Mark Martin will make the chase in that 5 car. He is in better shape than 95% of the current drivers. There is no comparison here.
B Lab is there to continue the mentoring of Almirola that Mark started though he will give the 41 the best ride it's had in years |
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Pegasus12
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Making it through the grind isn't all about physical shape, it's more about mental shape. Martin was wore out when he quit the first time. I hope he does do well, I like Martin and I'm sure he will be very competitive but I don't think he will make the chase. I hope I'm wrong and he can get that championship he deserves. I just think he will be back to hating life pretty quickly running a full schedule.
I guess we need to make sure Labonte is going to be in the 41 before we jump off that bridge. Everyone assumes that is where he is going because it's the only quality ride left open and he will get the best ride. But he says he is entertaining other offers. While that could just be PR speak, I wonder if another big team like JGR or Penske or SHR is trying to put together a sponsorship deal for BLab and an extra car. I could see someone else opening a ride for Labonte by removing an underachieving driver like Hornish or McMurray or Sadler as well. I don't know, just thinking out loud. |
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YowserYowser
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: Hopefully you're right |
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But I'm feeling a bit cynical about Mark in the 5.
I keep thinking that Mark is doing this more to help out Rick Hendrick and make the 5 a better race team. Mark will be able to tell if Alan Gustefson is the problem for the 5 or not.
And it makes a great story line for the 5.
The 5 is a weak link in the Hendrick organization and these days you can't run a weak link team especially against Roush, Childress (maybe Red Bull and Gibbs eventually will return all the cars to the Chase again) who are putting together pretty freaking nasty organizations. It just costs too much to have a losing team. He could use that money to improve Jeff and Dale Jr. |
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YowserYowser
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: But then |
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The four car organization is an overstatement and bloats the resources of organizations. These teams are not going to have the money that they had in the past. They really need to cut back even more now.
Yates, Woods/Fenway, and Rob Gordon are really going to be the teams of the future. Small swift and mobile like rats against the dinosaurs.
Well only if Rob grows up. We will see if the Toyota switch helps him. And the Wood Brothers can find their next David Pearson. And Yates finds some real drivers, like Regan Smith to replace Gilligan. |
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Pepsiman
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Pegasus12"]Making it through the grind isn't all about physical shape, it's more about mental shape. Martin was wore out when he quit the first time. I hope he does do well, I like Martin and I'm sure he will be very competitive but I don't think he will make the chase. I hope I'm wrong and he can get that championship he deserves. I just think he will be back to hating life pretty quickly running a full schedule.
I guess we need to make sure Labonte is going to be in the 41 before we jump off that bridge. Everyone assumes that is where he is going because it's the only quality ride left open and he will get the best ride. But he says he is entertaining other offers. While that could just be PR speak, I wonder if another big team like JGR or Penske or SHR is trying to put together a sponsorship deal for BLab and an extra car. I could see someone else opening a ride for Labonte by removing an underachieving driver like Hornish or McMurray or Sadler as well. I don't know, just thinking out loud.[/quote]
You are correct Peg, it is mental as well but Mark Martin is going to be just fine. If Mark wanted to leave racing before he would have like Rusty and DJ did. There were other factors in his decision to leave Roush at the time.
Mark is doing HMS a favor. Keeping the 5 warm for one more year before Brad jumps in . They wanted one more year in Nationwide for him. Mark will keep the 5 in the top 35 and compete for a chase spot, wins but will not win that elusive championship. He will make the chase.
B Lab is in the 41 now that Target has stated they would like him in there. Leaves Dinger outside looking in which is a shame. |
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