Car of Tomorrow Continues To Martinsville
Thursday March 29, 2007
Last week's race in Bristol saw the debut of the Car of Tomorrow. This Sunday the short half-mile of Martinsville Speedway will see more of NASCAR's new car.
In Bristol Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon seemed to have a handle on the new car's unique handling characteristics. Will those same drivers rise to the top of the heap again or will other teams have the Car of Tomorrow figured out and challenge for the win?
Comments
if i drove a minivan to the job site
i would still get to work
get over it already
greg.
Hey Greg I like the way you think. No matter what they are race car drivers and that is what they are going to do. GO Jimmie
Well if frogs had wings, they would not be bouncing their but*s on the ground. greg. Yes, they would race them, most of them. However if nascar keep going as they have been, they may be racing in front of less and less people. Lot of open wheel organizations, Iroc, and a few others have gone bye bye. Nascar should pay more attention, the super cookie cutter tracks have not been sold out lately. Was it last year Dover had how many empty seats? There was alot of empty seats at the last big track couple of weeks ago. TV viewership have been down too.
MY FAMILY AND I USED TO LOVE TO GO TO ALL THE CAROLINA TRACKS TO SEE THE RACES AND WE COULD AFFORD IT TOO. NASCAR BETTER BACK UP SOME OR YOUR GONNA SEE LESS EVERYWHERE BEFORE ITS OVER THEY HAVE DETROYED THE SPORT, ITS THE WORKINGMANS SPORT REMEMBER MR. MIKE….WHERES EARNHARDT WHEN WE NEED HIM HE KEPT THIS CRAP UNDER CONTROLL THE COULD NOT BUUL CRAP HIM GET BAK TO THE BASICS MAN BEFORE A AMERICAN PASS TIME IS SOLD TO THE RICH…
Charles do you really think that Dale SR. kept the sport together. The way that you and others talk you would think that he was the person who make all the rules said what could and could not happen as far a racing is concerned. He was just another driver. He kept nothing under control. He was a rough driver who will wreck anyone just to win. He didnt give a crap about anything but the money he could make and the people he could spin out to get them out of his way. His attitude was I am so oooooo great I dont care who gets hurt because of me. As long as I get my $$$$$. He was jerk. At least Richard Petty (whom as a better racing record than SR.) has and had class. Petty is the king. Sr is dead its a new area turn off your TV Nascar dont need far weather fans like you anyway.
#5 your last name must be France, because you sound exactly like one of those idiots, if you don’t have anything constructive to say go back to your go-carts and comic books!!!!!!!!
I think that as the drivers learn how to handle these new cars the racing will be unchanged. I may be wrong but I think that it is no different that the changing cars have always been from time to time. Like from the t-bird to the tauraus. I think that if everyone will just shut up and give it chance everything will be fine. I know that noone likes change. But like I keep saying change will always happen.
Perhaps the C.O.T. should have been pressed upon the Busch Racers. The cars look like Matchbox toys. France is said to have approved the change to save the Nextel Teams money. If the double dippers are running both races or even three,(trucks)where is the savings?
I can guarantee you one thing for sure!!! THINGS CHANGE!!
I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF EMPTY SEATS.
True right now the teams are spending a lot of money trying to race both kind of cars. I heard that’s hurting the smaller teams, the ones it suppose to help. They keep saying well that’s in the short run that the money is high. However how long can these smaller teams keep up?
John I use the peoples names in whom I am speaking to. I was not speaking to YOU.. I thought most people could figure that out. You didnt hurt my feelings. Are you going to distpute Petty’s STATS? Everybody whines at one time or another. I am just stating that SR. did not hold this sport together. Not one driver can do that. I am just tired of listening to people giving a man credit that isnt due to him. My point is that there is alot of great drivers. Each era has there losers and there greats. Why are you insulting me when I wasnt even talking to you?
Ditto to #’s 3 and 5…….
Thanks Gary
If the grammer and spelling in the comments I’ve just read are representitive of the average Nascar fan, the sport is in real trouble. Calling Earnhardt Sr a jerk is rediculous, he was simply a hard charging stock car racer who along with many others built Nascar into a mainstream sport. Richard Petty was also a great driver and played his part in the growth of the sport as well. Some of you need to put down those beer cans and go to school until you can learn to speak intellegently. Until then, don’t try to be sports reporters. I believe Nascar will be around for a very long time and will not shrink but grow in popularity. The France family did not take this sport from the sands of Daytona Beach to it’s current prominance by being stupid. See you in Martinsville!
Well, if you have not figured it out too, this is a public forum, so when you speak/write it’s for all. I just do not understand why you cannot use your own name; then again, that is my opinion. We all have them. Petty’s stats? Why should I dispute them? Petty had driven for more years, than SR. Both tied on number of championships. So it took less time for SR wins his. Petty did win more races. I also do not understand that you think you are an expert on SR, what went through his mind. Other than when talked about it. It just amazes me how people think they know so much about . I also know SR was not the first driver to drive like he did.– I do agree with you on, I do not think SR held NASCAR together. NASCAR tearing themselves apart, my opinion it started when they change the cars that looked like showroom cars (plus safety of course) to the cars now, before the cot crap.
I think (my opinion) is the COT is a step backward not forward and this is not saying NASCAR needed and improved formula. The formula they chose (COT) just isn’t it. They need to go back to “more” stock appearing and running cars. Let’s look at the way it should be:
1. Fuel injection- Stock displacement – 350 cubes max. No 750 horsepower brutes, 300 to 500 horsepower motors with modifications to last 500 to 600 miles at constant top speed.
2. If you race it, you must manufacture it (remember that rule).
3. NO aero modifications unless it is produced at the factory and available to XXXX amount of the general public (see #2).
4. No spoilers/air damns/ground effects
5. YES – keep the steel cage chassis, 4 wheel disks and drivers enclosed safety cages.
Basically – race car chassis, stock bodied and “ruggedized” fairly stock motor.
my own name, I also don’t understand but it is funny though you have people like #15 ken criticizing people about spelling, but they can’t spell either!! lol
First of all Ken I dont drink and I am fairly educated. What is your degree in? John I use my name all the time. I know that it is a public forum but when I am commenting on a certain thing that was said I use the persons name I am addressing. If it makes you feel better I will stop doing that. Ken You must be an english teacher since your pupose on this site is to correct spelling errors and grammer. You know they say that NAscar is a redneck sport. Maybe our spelling is proof of it. LOL I also dont think that any of us are trying to be reporters we are all just yaking about stuff. Sometimes we make sence and sometimes we dont. None of us even know each other so its easy to state opinions. So really it dont matter what any of us say we all go on with our own lives and believe what we want.
John its amazing isnt it?
Anita, my degree is in marketing and I see that I didn’t spell the word ridiculous correctly. Guess I have been put in my place! Sorry for being such a “smarty pants”, I just hate all of the negativity about Nascar. Signed Embarassed. PS sure wish I had spell check.
hEY Charles So you think Dale SR. was a JERK, No i dont think so he might not have been the only Person to make NASCAR Better but he SURE was in the top 10, And we lost one of the best drivers in the sport when he Passed away. NOW what have you ever done in your life
I Monw NOTHING that even comes close to what Dale Earnheardt Acheaved
Thank You
Hey Bear, It was not Charles that said anything about Sr. it was me. I called him a jerk. You want to know what I have done with my life. I make a difference in peoples lives everyday. Nascar I’m a fan. My life achievments. I have great children 2 I bore 1 I adopted. I work in health care and have for 15 yrs. I make a difference everyday. I am a mentor to teenagers and I am a youth leader. I make a differnce a real difference in their lives everyday. Sr. raced. I do real things with real people. I am not trying to boast. But seriously what difference did Sr. make in a childs life ever. He abandoned his son Kerry to be adopted by someone esle. He was cocky and pushy. Not a great man.I not saying that he could not drive. I just dont think he was real great at that either. Hey Ken We all make mistakes.
Anita, I’m Happy now! LOL
Anita, becareful of what you say. Some would say if you are a youthleader, and a mentor of teenagers why are you judging others? If you have not walk in another shoes, you have no idea what they gone through. Oh by the way you said he wasn’t that good? He was good enough to tie petty’s championships in less time. You have to admit these are funny.
Let’s see now your right ON the track he did drive hard . But behind the scenes He owned DEI and a car dealer ship , as for the 3 kids I think he did good for then all 3 of them has been in racing , I think Kerry is still racing and is the another son that’s in NASCAR Dale Jr. is his name I think ? the #8 car OH yea for the kids didn’t he own or sponsor a ball team . Next you will be going after Richard Petty I GUESS HE DOES NOTHING FOR KIDS EITHER
Bottom line if he were a jerk , He would not have gotten ware he was before died .
Thank you AGAIN
I raced open wheel Offy’s at Chicago Soldier’s Field in 1946. We didn’t have much of anything to protect us. NASCAR has gone to great lengths to make the cars safer, and I can’t think of any reason that some present fans would taken offense at the next level of safety for the sport. The COY will have amny improvements over the next few months, and when it shows up in 2008 it will be that much better and SAFER yet. I have never known a driver who liked any type of change to their equipment. That’s the nature of the beast, not only today, but for as long as I’ve been around the sport. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath, hold on tight, and let the good times roll. We will see some very good racing this year. I do agree that there needs to be some things done to some of the cookie cutter 1-1/2 mile tracks. Things can be done to improve the racing, but it will take some real bright thinking and some solid investment to make the changes that really are necessary.
You are right John I do come across as a little judgmental. I am sorry. Most of these are funny. Bear Just because he left his children money doesnt mean he was there for his kids. Children dont need money to make them happy they need stability and unconditional love. Lots of Jerks have great sucess most often it is the poor and unknown that make a real difference. TO me it sounds like Dave is on the right level thinking track. Positive and encouraging. Bear chill out.
Anita
he did a lot more than just money,
and whare do you get off on telling anyone in the room to chill out. You just do not seem to know what your talking about, And i dont l like any one SLAMING Dale Sr.
Know your Facts first PLEASE
I know you wont stop you cant But he was still a Great Man
I know what I know. You keep talking about all the things you think he’s done but I havent seen you name any spacifics. I not slaming him I am just stating what I believe to be true. I dont like him and he did not hold nascar together not one driver can do that.
Anita
Whatever you say
Your right and everybody else is wrong
Your not gona Stop Slaming Dale
I feel sorry for you Being right all the time
YOU THINK
I am not right all the time. I think I’ll go back to talking to people who are not so rude. I already apoligized what more do you want.
Anita, I guess that what happens when someone downs another. You state what YOU THINK is true, and others state what THEY THINK is to be true. Because one say something does not make it to be true,(either side)right? I like SR, however I don’t think he ran nascar or kept it together as others have said. Faults, yes he had them just like the rest of us. One also needs to be careful what they say, because someone else can always find faults in them. Oh well I said my little speach, oh well, maybe this weekend will have a better race, so we all be in a better mood. NOW ALL of us take a chill pill. LOL Nice talking to ya Anita, and all.
I know just cause I say it dont make it true that is why they call it opionion. I hope that we will all be in a better mood after next weeks race. You John did make me relize that I need to chill out too. But even after an apoligy I got slammed again. I know lifes not fair. SO I should stop crying. We at least agree on some things. Have a good one and I will see you after sundays race. Bye for now
I think some of you have lost perspective of what might be important. Many of us haven’t achieved the fame Dale Earnhardt achieved, but when people start saying someone has done nothing when they don’t know them is a bit off track. Many of us raise our families, work hard, and are honorable people without achieving notoriety or fame. Anyway, the COT sucks, but I’m not sure what any common folk can do to stop it from coming unless everyons stops watching or going to the races which is unlikely.
I never said that he has done nothing I said I dont think that he is all that great of a person. I just get tired of people thinking that he was so great and the only person to ever do anything for racing. I know that he could drive fairly well I just think that he was not all that nice of a person. It is off track from the topic. I do however agree with you cobra that there is nothing that we can do about the COT. THats why I have all along to just relax and try to go with the flow. Change is change even if not everyone is happy about it. Bear how many times do I need to say I’m sorry before you stop slamming me. I know that we wont agree but that does not mean that we have to be mean.
I meant to say is not happy about it. and thats way all along I have said. I cant believe my typing this morning.
Anita, First of all Please do not think I’m slamming you. After saying that,
Some people that you have now notice takes things very seriously when talking about SR. (For me I don’t take things very seriously on here, as I said before these are funny to read, like the sunday comics). He did a lot off the track to help others. As I stated before I liked him he did drive well otherwise, he would have not won seven championships, correct. You do not like him; you have your reasons, and opinions. That is ok, you like petty, for me he is ok, yes he did win many races, back in his day, and then NASCAR did not regulate on the cars as much, as they do now. Example, now all have the same engine size, they all have pretty much the same Horsepower. Back in his day, if you notice he drove 426 hemi’s (I love those engines, by the way) some used 427’s (these too) and some even used 396’s, 425’s and American motors used 390’s, etc. He had a lot of money back in those days. In other words, his car had power. DON”T misunderstand me he has driving talent, and he was good no mistake about it. I too get tired of people that keep saying, only if SR was here, I would like to see him here too, However I seen you get uptight when someone such as me say something bad about petty, right? LOL I still think NASCAR would still make the same foolish mistakes they are doing now. Although they are trying to say, the cot is from the crash of SR.. Anita, don’t take these comics to heart or too seriously, you always find people to be mean, and rude “WE” all have been mean or rude on here, I guess that’s why Steve keeps taking some comments off of here, either that he get his feelings hurt LOL. Sometimes I do put dumb things on here to get a reaction from others, that doesn’t mean I agree what I said, just to see what people like or dislike about a subject. The only things i have said it is true though, I haven’t watch too many races lately, I don’t like the cot, the last several races was boring if I watched it. oh well I said way too much. See ya at the races.
John I wasnt meaning you were slamming me. I know that your right. Thank you for helping me feel better. Sometimes I take things to serioulsy. Sometimes I forget to have a sence of humor. I know that Sr. wasnt all bad. Noone is. Thank you for keeping me in perspective.
Keep on racing…..
I agree with motorcrossed. It hasn’t been since the 1980’s that a stock car looked like a factory car. That was what NASCAR was all about and the golden age of the 1960s and 1970’s. Does anyone even know the old saying Win on Sunday sell on Monday or better yet see it in play today.
COT, I’m not real pleased in the direction nascar is going. Time will tell. I heard they drive something like the trucks. I never did get into watching the trucks race. Just wish they looked like a car I could buy at a dealer. They are all look the same. To bad. Just put on a manufactures logo and its a ford,chevy, dodge or toyota ???
I think that the COT will be fine once all the bugs are worked out and if goodyear can get it together on their tires.
Wrexx,
Goodyear Tires have sucked for a very long time and every time they think theyve got there problem fixed NASCAR changes something to even worcen the problem.
Someday people will find out what kind of man Dale Sr. really was..go back to to his hometown and ask who was the first and only person who came to many, many dirt farmers’ aid when bad times hit..he was johnnie on the spot when folks were hurting..ask in the pits who was the first to help out with money,parts, or info or just encouragement when it was needed..sure he was a hard nosed driver, but in his heart he was a softy….Petty has said many times that the reason the Pettys’ won so many races was because his family had more money than the other teams..nothing wrong with that..he & Dale were good enough friends to start 7&7 Corp. together…also like it or not Dale was not scared to stand up for drivers’ anytime he felt things weren’t right..how ’bout them apples, friends..??/
sounds like Sr. and petty were the only two people on the track, what about the others. They all made nascar what it is today. without them no money comes in,If the drivers of today do not like the COT then stop driving. Like (BOYCOT).
Jojo,
That is so true. Why is everyone arguing about Dale Sr. and Dale Jr.??? I admired Sr. and he did do some great things for people and NASCAR so what is the problem? I thought the comment that Steve McCormick stated above was what this thread was about. The COT and who will have a great race and who will struggle.
To many rules,let em race what they bring. Bring back stock cars.
Any Bobby Labonte fans out there?
I agree with Ric, I watch the tv show “Back in the Day” with Dale Jr. and WOW what has NASCAR done! Those were real cars. I know PAH posted the comment Win on Sunday and sell on Monday (not the first time I heard it) and I strongly agree with that. Well done.
Yeah, It seems like they are trying to ruin a good thing
wrexx,
Back in the day is a great show, we watch every driver develop over the years to adapt to there new car.
if you dont like it…dont watch it…duh
Dave p, come up something more intelligent than “if you don’t like it, don’t watch” Second grade stuff. If you don’t like to read these comments, don’t read them. See how stupid it sounds? Duh
All I am saying is what a difference there is from back then including the pit stops. But the COT I don’t know, I’m not sure if I like it yet. It sure makes fantasy racing a challenge…LOL.
Each driver has its good and bad.We all remember the bad more.It doesnt matter who did what. It matters where it was done.Everything has it changes,people like and not.Petty won with the wing,Im glad its back.Yes we need to fix the tires,cookie tracks and abusive drivers.Keep cup drivers in cup,busch drivers in busch.They will never learn to drive or win with cup there.NASCAR should help single teams out.COT is here to stay,im very happy for it.Make the wing bigger,cut the horsepower.make the cars look like cars,the 70s was a great car back then.Out of the showroom onto the track.Remember dodge left,and petty didnt win as much.Yes i love THE KING……..
hey john..hahahaha….you funny
Good morning I see that everyone is still up to the same old stuff. John at least its not me this time. I graduated to adulthood finally. Just kidding. Typing just to tpye and say Hi.
DW made an interesting statement last week..cot cars drive like the older cars did..bring back race cars that look kinda like stock cars w/cot car engineering in them..look,drive like older stock cars…something for everyone………..!!
hi anita, just messing around lol. Some people just can’t figure it out. lol I like when others prove my point. oh well. lol
cleve, I don’t like the cot however, I also said the cars, now is no way near like the ones of yesteryear. The older drivers have said these new (not cot) is sooo much easier to drive than the older ones, maybe this cot crap will seperate the cookie cutters drivers from the good ones.
Hi John I I know you are just messing around. I do think it is fun when others prove the point you are trying to make. See ya after tomarrows race.
yeah, right john,you are so smart..just go to SUMMITRACING.COM ,click on STREET AND STRIP the online carshows…view winners sept,06 that 1928 model A is mine i built for less than 5 grand…how many rods have you built???
dave p- amazing, hello, any one home? Who was talking about building cars? are you in the twilight zone? dave p? time for your meds dave p?
not bad for a second grader tho.huh?what have you done?….you talk the talk but you cant walk the walk…you are just another armchair quarterback
john..the point is..you insulted my intelligence…the hot-rod was just an example on how wrong you are….i hate this when you have to explain things to people
Well John it looks as if you are the one getting beat on today. I am sorry. I know and understand what your point is. I think that maybe the one disagreeing with you has a point on the top of his head. Just kidding. LOL
Dave p, No one ever said anything about building cars, houses, – and you did built a nice car. I know people with high IQ’s and have no idea how to put a door knob on. On the other hand, I have seen people with a IQ of a doorknob, and make a engine run like top! (Understand I am not saying you have a IQ of a doorknob). Therefore, you need to come up with a better example. The point is, come up something more intelligent than Quote “if you don’t like it – don’t watch.” However I do agree with you when you wrote, “I hate it when I have to explain thing to them”!!! Oh yea how, where do you get I’m a armchair quarterback, I never came out of the blue, and claim something I did. Why should I? I do not have proved anything to you or anybody else. Maybe you need to go back and re-read my first comment. So, how am I wrong?
Anita, I feel so bad, I had no idea this guy would come up with all kinds of things to prove a point, he built a nice car, but what does that have to do with come up with something better than a second grade quote? Oh well we all get this way. lol
so…whats your point john?..just because some one states there opinion that if you dont like something,dont watch it,why does that give you the right to insult them?
makes them wrong
These drivers are the best. Their ability to adjust to what ever the conditions, is such that they all will be competitive no mater what they are driving.
Dave I tend to agree with you. No need to say any more. Have a good one
I mean I agree with the Dave F. Thought I should clarify
i agree with anita…lets drop it…you all have a nice one…..dave ….p.s. that includes you john…friends..o.k.?
Your right dave p it got out of hand. Dumb mistake.
I will admit dave nice car Dave p
This forum I thought was about the COT? Let’s paint em all the same color and see if we can restrict them down to 65mph!! What fun!! It’s best to not speak ill of the dead!
Some one needs to remind Kyle that no one is forcing him to drive the COT car. No one is forcing him to even show up at the track.
There is a time to copy Tony Stewart and a time to grow up. Copy Tony’s driving and just about anyone elses thinking. Then learn to represent himself as if he had an ounce of grey matter between his ears.
Kids!!! Next thing this little rich kids will be copying Paris Hilton or Rosie.
I think we all need a race.
Go back to when? To the early 70’s when only 5 or 6 cars had a chance to win? That’s steadily getting better to the present. Go back to unrestricted engines? Thank God Bobby Allison’s car came back down on to the the track @ Talladega in 87′and not into the crowd. He’d have killed HUNDREDS. The COT will be one of the best things to ever come to NASCAR. The France’s have always worked so that no one automaker has an advantage over any other. Read some NASCAR history. Big Bill’s vision of the way he wanted it is perfect for the sport. The cars raced in the first five races look more like the COT than the cars of fifteen years ago. NASCAR hasn’t been about “stock car” racing since the Chevy Monte Carlo and its integral skirts of the mid eighties.
Nascar was created by redneck men with big kahunas that were trying to out drive the Feds. and deliver moonshine. Now we are getting see a bunch of gay blades almost.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. once said if your Ford isn’t running as fast as the Chevys buy a Chevy.
I want to see the whinners and deep pockets allow us that feel in love with rednecks that popped each other in the noses and went for the win have our Nascar back.
Can you imagine what Dale Sr. would have said if he’d been called to the “Big Red Truck”? Fine wait till I talk to the other guy and get this settled.
MIt how many teams win now? 5 or 6? If that many!!! nice try
As a kid I grew up watching it because my dad did. I watched the likes of the late Tim Richmond, Alan Kulwicki, and Davey Allison. I am a native of NC and lived close to the Earnhardt’s for some time. Honestly I didn’t like him much because I thought he was arrogant. He could drive, but sometimes he let his arrogance get the best of him. Some of you may remember a race at Bristol in the late 90’s when he ran over Terry Labonte for the win. I have been a Gordon fan my entire life (back to his days with Bill Davis). He’s been accused of many things. I still like him even tough he’s done alot that I don’t agree with. His scuffles in recent years with Kenseth and Stewart are testimony to the fact that even a good racer can act like a JERK! The degree to how much of a jerk he really is determined on how much he tends to repeat. My two cents, that I am certain will be criticized by some Big E fan that I have offended. Could he drive? Yes! Was he a jerk? Alot! Was he the best? We’ll never know! Time to move on.