NASCAR's Biggest Fan – Girl of the Week | Ron Ripple

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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