NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

Tony Stewart who you all know is one of my favorite drivers, is the topic of discussion throughout the NASCAR community.  The rumor on the street is that he’s been getting multiple offers from a number of different race teams even though his contract doesn’t come up with Joe Gibbs Racing until the end of the 2009 season.  Tony Stewart said that he is going to be completely honest and up front with Joe Gibbs and has already admitted to keeping his ears open.  The biggest story that has been going around the pits is he’s decided already to sign with Haas CNC racing which is a second class racing team. 

J.D. Gibbs says they aren’t worried about the possible offers and has denied the claims.  They think Tony Stewart will make the right decision and stay with a team he will win with, and they’re confident they are THAT team.  One thing they have mentioned is if Tony decides he doesn’t plan on staying with the Gibbs team, he better at least fulfill his contract and stay till the end of the 2009 year.

Tony Stewart on the other hand has other interests… his goal is to not only be a driver but also a team owner.  He wants to guarantee a life long career in the racing world, and the next peice to the puzzle is to own a team.  So rumors on the street are he’s already signed with Haas CRC racing, but not only as a driver but also part owner in the team. 

To me it sounds like Tony Stewart has made his decision… I think he’s going to fulfill his contract because he’s a stand up guy and Joe Gibbs has been an incredible team owner for him.  I personally think he should keep racing for Joe Gibbs… but I understand why he wants to secure his life long career in the NASCAR world.  If it aint broke than don’t fix it… he will be racing for a second class team.  And second class teams are second class teams with second class equipment.  He’s not going to find a more professional, more prepared team than Joe Gibbs and right now Joe Gibbs is THE TEAM to beat. 

Another reason why I think Tony made the swith is because I think he’s a Chevy guy.   Tony switched to the Toyota this year when the Gibbs team decided it was going to be the car they all ran this year.  His Nationwide Series team is currently still running the Chevy and I think he’s always been a Chevy guy and feels comfortable in a Chevy.  Tony Stewart and Toyota go together like beer and popsicles.  They just dont! 

It’s going to be a sad day when he makes the switch… but who knows… maybe he’ll turn a second class team into a first class team.  I hope this isn’t the last we see of Tony and I hope he doesn’t become a has been who lost his aggressive, opinionated, drama filled always a contender to be reckoned with attitude.  10 years and racing for the same owner with over 34 wins is a great accomplishment, let’s just hope he keeps us all on the edge of our seats.

 What do you think… is he going to continue racing for Joe Gibbs?  Is he going to fulfill his contract or will he pull out early?

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Who’s your pick to win the Martinsville race? I don’t know about you, but it feels like years since the last race even though it’s only been two weeks. I’m ready for a short course race and Martinsville couldn’t have come at a better time. Martinsville is home of the 1/2 mile oval track, 60 degree weather and 65,000+ fans. To me it sounds like a perfect time for a beer loaded tailgate pre-race party in the parking lot . I wish I could make it!

This weekend I’m going pick either Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson for the checkered flag. Both are very good on Short Courses and both need a win. Tony Stewart is duethis year and has been in the hunt for most of this year’s races. Recently he’s had more off the course publicity with his crazy tirades such as the sucker punch in Daytona, his personal opinion about Goodyear Tires, and his recent trimming of his mullet. Obviously I can’t talk smack about a mullet just look at mine, but his was getting a little shaggy.

My other pick for the weekend is Jimmie Johnson. You’d be crazy not to pick him as a top contender considering he’s won three straight Cup races at Martinsville. Jimmie Johnson is due for a win this year and it couldn’t have come at a better time since this is “his” track. I’d say Jimmie Johnson OWNS this track and needs to DEFEND his title. As you’ve read in my previous articles, the Hendrick camp needs a win and now is their chance. The pansy wine drinking Jeff Gordon, defending champion Jimmie Johnson, and AMP’d up Dale Earnhardt Jr are all great short track racers and all desperately need a win.

As usual I’m not going to count Kyle Busch out… He’s definitely one of my favorites this year. Since the season started he hands down been dominating all of NASCAR’s series. But let me know who your picks are. I’m curious to see who everyone’s favorites are.

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Talk about a helluva race! A caution goes green with 6 laps remaining… Two laps to go the battle for second was between Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. Stewart and Harvick drive into a turn when Harvick’s car gets a little loose and drives Stewart right into the wall. I was extremely suprised Tony showed no frustration and stated “it was probably my fault.” when in my opinion it wasn’t. It’s unfortunate to see something like this but that’s racing! Jeff Burton squeezed a win with two more Childress team mates behind. Burton led two laps the entire race, it just so happens they were the only two to count. This is the first win for a Chevrolette and a first ever for the Childress team to take all top three spots.

A few side notes, Greg Biffle took 4th place bringing him closer and closer to Kyle Busch for the first place in Nascar’s Sprint Cup. Dale Jarret ended his Nascar career in Bristol finishing in 37th, he’s an incredible racer and well respected amongst the Nascar community! I don’t know about you… but I still want to see him race the truck! Anyone have any interesting comments on the race?

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Well the new drama and buzz going around NASCAR is how opinionated Mr. Stewart is.  One of the main reasons why I enjoy watching Tony Stewart race is because you can always tell what’s on his mind.  He says what everyone is thinking and just blatantly tells it how it is.  Well I’ve attached a video about his new comments to this post and you can see for yourself what Tony Stewart is thinking.

It looks like the way things are going this year that Goodyear may have a Badyear!  Tony Stewart basically tells Goodyear they’ve been kicked out of every single series they were in and why are they now with NASCAR.  I don’t blame him!  The tires they received for this race were sent to them a week before the race and it takes more than a week to set the cars up.  

I think this is going to be a season to remember.  Like I said before… the season just started and there’s already more drama than I’ve seen in the last two years of racing.  Do you side with Tony or do you think he’s just being ridiculous?

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KYLE BUSCH.  All I have to say is holy shitzu… this kid is good.  I have a feeling that while I was playing with G.I. Joe’s at the age of 3, Kyle Busch was driving the lawn mower learning how to put the pedal to the metal.  This kid was dominating yesterday’s race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway basically the whole time.  If I had to put my money on someone to win the season I would have to say Kyle Busch.  I know I know… kinda obvious since he’s ahead in the points, but I don’t see anyone else putting on a show like this kid.

 Other shoutouts I have to give after watching the race is Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.  All three ran an incredible race leading quite a few laps.  It was unfortunate Carl Edwards blew an engine after leading for so long but I guess that’s racing.  Dale Earnhardt was in the hunt the whole time and was always a threat.  I’d love to see him win a race and get the taste of victory back in his blood.   Tony Stewart was in the top 10 most of the race but obviously crept up to the front towards the end.

 It was soooo cold this past weekend up there, I was worried that they were going to have to post pone the race again.  I almost wanted to put my bathing suit on and see if the track was a slip in slide because after watching Sunday’s race and seeing those guys slide through the turns I figured it had to be fun.  I talked to Tony Stewart in his hauler after the race on Sunday and he was not too happy about the tires Goodyear brought to this race.  He said it was the worst tires he’s ever used and that Goodyear better step up their “A” game if they want to get off his “Shit List.”

Overall I have to admit I really enjoyed watching this race.  It was definitely a driver’s course with the rough conditions of the track and the poor tires Goodyear brought.  Three of my favorite drivers, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt Jr finished in the top three and I’m already excited for next weekend.  It feels like these weeks are flying by…  we’re almost a month into the season. 

 I’m glad to be back… now let’s get cooking on those comments.  I want to hear your opinions.

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I am officially back from Daytona and all I have to say is WOW!  I started the weekend off by hanging out in the pits with Todd Bodine, winner of the Craftsman Truck Series race on friday night.  Congratulations to him and the Germain team for kicking some serious ass. (I’ll post pictures this week)

This weekend was full of surprises… Dale Earnhardt Jr. absolutely stepped up his game from the start of the very long week of races.  I can’t believe he won the Bud Shoot Out, the Gatorade Duel and then finished third in the Nationwide Series.  I’m not gonna lie, I really did think he was going to be in the top three as well in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday but oh well. My favorite parts of the race are when the two badass’s Tony Stewart and Dale would hook up in a draft and head straight to the front. 

The ”Most Impressive Driver” award would have to go to Kyle Busch.  He led 88 out of 200 laps in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday and ended up finishing Fourth. It always seems to go down like that, the driver to lead the most laps rarely if ever end up with the checkered flag. Also note that he also finished third in both the Nationwide Cup as well as the Craftsman Truck Series.  Tell me he didn’t have an incredible weekend.  Most drivers wish they could finish in the top 10 in any of the three races.

Who could have predicted Ryan Newman of all drivers would be the winner of the Daytona 500 this year?  He hasn’t won a race in over 80 starts.  I was shocked with the ending of the race but what didn’t surprise me was the 2nd and 3rd place finishers.  Everyone has to admit that if Kurt Busch hadn’t given Ryan Newman the push at the end Tony Stewart would have probably been the winner.  The beginning of the race was pretty non eventful…  There weren’t very many crashes, there weren’t a ton of lead changes, and I felt it lacked race drama.  Nobody pissed anyone off during the whole race but the end made it all worth it!.  Kurt Busch pushed Ryan Newman to his victory leaving Stewart behind to finish 3rd.  I must admit it was very cool to see two Penske cars take the 1st and 2nd place trophy, I found it a bit comical to hear Kurt Busch in the interview after the race stating that he probably would have won if he didn’t push Newman to the win… Just another cocky statement.

I’ve got so many things running through my mind right now that I would love to discuss, but I’m exhausted from the trip. So make sure you check back during the week and let me know your thoughts.  Until then… what did you guys think about the new COT’s?  How unfortunate was it to see Jeff Gordon have car troubles?  What happened to Waltrip and his supposedly ridiculously fast car?  What happened to the Toyotas at the end?  Let me know your thoughts…

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I’m not trying to make this site all about the Tony vs Kurt Drama…. But it’s the biggest drama going on at the moment.. 

The verdict is in!  NASCAR gave Busch and Stewart a six race probation as punishment for the “on track” incident that took place in last weekend’s practice.  What do I think?  I reckon I’m happy they weren’t suspended… but we all knew with NASCAR’s 2008 attitude of “let boys be boys” that Tony and Kurt wouldn’t be punished too severely.  No penalties were given out for the behind the scenes argument and bitch slap that took place in NASCAR’s hauler.   NASCAR officially states they have no plans for further punishment.

I came across an interesting pole on Nascar.com asking the fans whether or not Kurt Busch should be sat out for the first race.  I was shocked with the results… a wowing 42% were in favor, that’s close to 29,000 people who were against Kurt Busch racing in this weekend’s Daytona 500.  All I have to say is give me a friggin break!  Have you never had an incident where someone was driving 5 mph below the speed limit and then get so pissed off you showed them how you really felt?  I have to admit that I’ve had my fair share of road raging… and if I had the opportunity to trade paint with that slow poke and only get slapped on the wrist, I’d probably have to buy a new car weekly.  I personally look forward to the first race and I hope to see Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart battling it out for first place.

What are your thoughts?  Should the boys have had a more severe punishment?

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Update to the Stewart vs Busch Saga!

Feelings from last weekend’s practice drama spilled out into a full blown street fight (sarcasm). Sources state Kurt Busch caught a fist with his face by none other than the man in orange… Tony Stewart. The incident took place during a meeting with Officials in the NASCAR Hauler… No comments where given by any team or officials other than “What happens in the Hauler, Stays in the Hauler”. I though that only happened in Vegas.

Nascar is sticking to their 2008 attitude of promoting emotions and keeping it less corporate which in my opinion is straight BADASS! Keep the Nascar Drama alive… No fines will be assessed until later this week. The charity should be excited, I know us the fans are…  What are your thoughts?

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I’ve been dying to get to a computer since the crashes that took place during this past weekend’s practice.  I know NASCAR is trying to go back to the basics with letting personalities come out and not having such strict rules and penalties, but this past weekend was unbelievable.  I only have two words to describe how the 2008 season is going to be “Complete CHAOS.”

The first crash seemed as if was an accident and didn’t look like there were any hard feelings.  Clint Boyer simply went up and tapped Ryan Newman which caused a huge pile up including Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and a few others.  Obviously a lot of pissed off drivers but it didn’t seem intentional so I assume no hard feelings. 

The second crash is what in my opinion sets the pace for the 2008 season and of course you see who’s in the middle of it, Tony Stewart.  Tony Stewart was trying to sneak by Kurt Busch’s #12 car but taps his right rear bumper causing him to get up into the wall and destroy his car.  Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch already had some bad blood from last year’s Daytona 500 when Kurt Busch got up in the back of Tony Stewart during the race.  The difference was that they were racing for the lead, and this time they were just practicing.

The title of this article is what I think will continue to be a reoccuring incident throughout the 2008 season “Busch and Stewart’s Love Tap!”  Kurt Busch, who has been NASCAR’s number one driver for the past two years, was not scared this past weekend to show the world how he really feels.  He drove up to Tony Stewart after the crash and traded paint with him that was clearly intentional.  There’s nothing like a little NASCAR drama… it’s what makes this sport so exciting.  But I think trading paint intentionally is a poor way of getting back at someone.  Kurt Busch would have really earned my respect if he would have got out of his car and traded words with Tony Stewart instead of trading paint.   If you listen to the commentators from the video, they mention that Tony Stewart was trying to get out of his car which I think is the proper way to discuss your matters instead of tearing up the cars themselves.  I’m sure Stewart was getting out of his car to shake hands and apologize.  Yeah Right!  The CHAOS from this practice makes for an exciting season.  I’m so jacked up now that I haven’t been able to sleep and probably won’t sleep until they throw the checkered flag come Sunday.

Above is a video of the second crash for those of you who haven’t seen it.  Just remember… this is PRACTICE and not even a race.  It just goes to show you what a competitve sport this is and the different personalities this sport has.  What do you think about this crash?  Do you think Kurt Busch took it too far?  Do you think wrecking cars is the way to get back at someone or do you think racers should take care of their drama face to face?

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Alright… as you all know I don’t like to pick favorites because I want to stay politically correct, but for 2008 I’m going to pick Tony Stewart to do well.  There’s just something about the way he drives and his attitude on the track that I like to watch and hope to see.  I’m not gonna lie though… if I don’t see him get pissed off or nudge a few cars this year I might lose interest in him.  But the reason why I’m routing for him this year is because he’s jumping into a new Toyota.  It may not sound like a big deal, but he’s been driving a GM for the last 9 years and has been extremely successful.  The Toyota had a rough season last year and only made two top 5 finishes and neither of them being trips to victory lane.  I think that if anyone can take the car to victory lane its Tony Stewart and the Joe Gibbs team. 

Rumors are going around though that Tony is enjoying his new ride so far.  We all know that it takes a lot time for a car to get dialed in, but what we didn’t know is that Joe Gibbs and his team have spent a whole year doing so.  I have a feeling that Tony Stewart and the Joe Gibbs team are going to come out smokin.  Kyle Busch who is Tony Stewart’s team mate has already had the fastest track time this year during testing on the Daytona speedway.  You may be asking yourself why a team would switch to a new car if they’ve been so successful with their current car.  The only answer I can come up with is technology is forever changing and if you’re not on top of your “A” game then you might as well sit in the back of the pack.  I think it’s too early to decide how he’s going to do especially since he’s only had three days of test time on the Daytona Track.  But mark my words, he’s going to come out strong and I have a feeling that he’s going to be unstoppable.  As Ricky Bobby says, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” 

What’s your opinion on this topic?  Do you think Tony is going to lose a step with this new car?  Let me know your thoughts.

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