NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

Since Tony Stewart will be leaving the Joe Gibbs Team at the end of the season, Joe Gibbs now has an available seat that is in need of a fresh driver.  Is Logano the Man or shall I say “boy” for the job?  He has proven his ability in the Nationwide Series, but does he have the experience to play with the big dogs?

Joey Logano is an incredibly talented driver who has proved himself to the world that he can compete with the Nationwide Series drivers at the young age of 18.  When he turned 18 years old he raced his first race with the Nationwide series and ended up with a 6th place.  Nobody expected him to do as well as he did and he’s been proving himself ever since with 2 poles and 1 win having only competed in a total of 5 races.  Joey Logano is the real deal… but does he have enough experience to compete with the big dogs in the Sprint Cup?

I think Joey Logano is a great driver but personally don’t think he has enough experience to compete with the Sprint Cup racers.  On Sunday the top racers in the WORLD drive out on the track and every one of them has the ability and talent that Logano has.  The difference between Joey Logano and Tony Stewart is experience and the only way to gain experience is to continue to race with the Nationwide guys.

If I were Joe Gibbs I would weigh out my options and make sure I’m making the right decision.  Joey Logano is an incredible racer and will one day be on top in Sprint Cup Series but now is not the time.  There are so many great drivers out there jockeying for position and trying to secure a spot for next year.

Ryan Newman for example is one of those great drivers looking to make a decision on where he’s going to be racing next year.  We all know rumors are stating he’s looking to join Tony Stewart in his venture but why would you, as an experienced and top driver, pick a team who will be going through growing pains for the next year or so?  Newman should join a team that knows how to win and who has the formula to win, that team being Joe Gibbs in the #20 car.

The Man, the myth, the legend, GREGGGG ZIPADELLLLIIIII

Whoever drive’s for the #20 car next year is going to be sitting in a proven car.  The #20 car is a winning car that has not only won races but has also won Championships.  It’s a car that comes with an experienced crew led by crew chief Greg Zipadelli… so the future of this car is in good hands and will have the ability to win.

It has to be tough as a crew cheif not knowing who your driver will be next year.  I’m sure he’s focused on this year but with all the hype and rumors going around about the #20 car, I’ll bet he’s anxious to find out.  Who knows… maybe he already knows who will be racing with him.  I guess the only thing we can do is wait and see. 

I feel like the only thing we hear these days are rumors… the only FACTS out there is Tony Stewart changing teams and Jeff Gordon popping more wine bottles.  One of these days I’m going to get Gordon to do a keg stand… So if you’re out there reading this Jeff, you better start practicing.

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I’ve come up with a list of ideas on how we can make NASCAR more exciting. I love NASCAR and everything about NASCAR, but if I were the president of NASCAR, I would implement these 8 ideas.

#1. Bring back the COY - Car Of Yesterday. We need to get rid of the COT and bring back the COY. It allowed these drivers to actually race and battle it out. The COT is a tough car to drive and has leveled the playing field in a way that has made it harder to pass.

#2. Shorten the Course - If NASCAR shortened the course, it would make the races more exciting. Right now the races are extremely long… how many of you guys love to watch “the start” and then the last “50 laps?” I mean, I love NASCAR, but sometimes the middle of the race is pointless because the true racing doesn’t start till the end.

#3. Start Kyle Busch a lap down - Kyle Busch is absolutely the best driver out there today. I think we need to start his ass a lap down and make him work his way to the front. The only negative thing about this idea is what if he actually came back and won the race? His head wouldn’t be able to fit into his own car.

#4. Kyle Busch needs a bigger car - Just as I mentioned in idea #3… Kyle Busch’s head is getting way too big. I think we need to get him a bigger car so we can fit his big head in it. Maybe we can just get him a convertible so we don’t have to keep getting him new cars as the season goes on.

#5. The Driver’s need Intro songs - After watching the All-Star race this year I really enjoyed the introductions they did for each driver. If we had introduction songs for each driver, it would bring more excitement and craziness. I could see Kyle Busch walking to his car as they play “I Shot the Sherriff,” just after he spun Jr. out!

#6. Bikini Contest between the driver’s wives and girlfriends - One thing NASCAR lacks is sex appeal. If we had the Driver’s wives out there in bikinis at let’s say Taladega or the Coca-cola 600 strutting their stuff, I can guaranttee I may not be rooting for Tony Stewart. I may start liking Jeff Gordon. (Did I just say that?)

#7 Lap girls for each lap - Just like boxing and UFC fighting… for each round/Lap, we need to have a Lap girl letting everyone know what lap we’re on. Just as I mentioned in Idea #6, we need to bring some sex appeal to NASCAR and this is a sure way to bring it.

#8. Cage Match between Hendrick Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing - Three times a year they need to have a cage match between each of the Hendrick boys vs the Gibbs boys. Stewart vs Gordon, Busch vs. Earnhardt Jr., Hamlin vs Johnson. And it needs to be a real fight. No hard feelings… instead of “talking” smack, they need to throw some smack. Quit singing it and start bringing it…

This is just my opinion and if NASCAR wants to hire me please contact me through e-mail. I think I could bring a lot of FLARE to the sport. The only requirement I have is they give me my own Budweiser Keg at each race, and hopefully they don’t require a breathalizer for the president.

Would you elect me as the President of NASCAR?

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Ok…. If you’re not sure who Lagano is… he’s NASCAR’s biggest hype since the invention of the wheel.  He’s the young kid that so many claim to be the next superstar and the kid Joe Gibbs has taken under his wing since 2005.  Joey Lagano has just turned 18 years old and is officially allowed to enter into a NASCAR race.  So this weekend is his debut at Dover Interenational Speedway racing in the #20 GameStop Camry in the Nationwide Series owned by Joe Gibbs.  Will he make history and become NASCAR’s most talked about driver?  Who knows but he better do well this weekend or he’s going to let down a lot of people.

NASCAR’s Biggest Hype meets NASCAR’s Biggest Fan Joey Lagano has been described by many including Mark Martin as a driver who “can be one of the greatest who ever raced in NASCAR.” He ws 15 years old when Mark Martin said this to Joe Gibbs, so Joe Gibbs saw the talent and took him under his wing by signing him to his developmental program.  Obviously he impressed Gibbs over the past few years because this weekend he will be testing his skills with some of the Nationwide Serie’s best drivers.

It sounds like some big shoes to fill if you ask me.  I’m glad to see this little guy’s nuts finally dropped and is allowed to start racing with the big boys.  This is going to be a lot of fun to watch… he’s jumping in the #20 car who has been driven by Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch.  The car is a proven winner and has won 6 out of it’s 13 starts this year.  So this weekend it’s all up to Lagano to prove to the world what everyone’s been speculating. 

If you want to ask me what I think is going to happen this weekend, I’d have to say… Lagano is going to have a good start, he’ll end up holding a solid top 12, then he’ll decide to start making moves on drivers to try and gain positions.  He’s going to eventually over step his boundaries and make a mistake, he’ll either tap the wall or get loose and spin out.  If he doesn’t spin out he’ll earn a top 12 position and get even more hype from the NASCAR community.  But I think he’s going to learn a lot over the next few racers and I do think he’s got potential to make some money and win some races.

 What are your predictions for Little Lagano this weekend?  Is he going to live up to the HYPE he’s been getting for the last three years?  Give me some details… I wanna know what you all are thinking.

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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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