by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Yea, it’s going to be a short one this week because my boss said there is so much other news in this week’s paper that I got to give up some room. It’s the quality that matters. First, and I know y’all might not really give a hoot, but last week I mentioned that this Sunday was my 30th anniversary and I needed some advice on a gift for my wife. Well, I didn’t get any good advice so I went with my instinct. Most men would have taken their bride to “dinner and a movie,” but I’m a “breakfast and a movie” type, and it worked just fine. I got my new toaster and the first thing I did was toast two pieces of bread, and Bubbas was it great. We got a couple of Hardee’s biscuits and then off to see Chuck & Larry.
All and all we had a good time and now I’m at my ‘puter writing this short one for Will so he can have more room to make the dollars to feed his family and everyone else at EU, oh yeah, and to pay my Big-A salary too. Enough of that, let me talk about NASCAR, and it won’t be too much about the race at The Glenn, cause I don’t do much on road races, but I will say that Jeff should know how to drive on one. Then again, stuff happens even to the best of drivers. Tony Stewart slipping by for the win was just fine with me. While I’m on Tony, I wonder about a couple of rumors that have been going around. I sure hope that this one isn’t true, because it may change a few minds among fans and sponsors alike.
Please say it ain’t so, Joe Gibbs Racing, about how a Toyota may have the #20 on it, let alone the 11 and 18. Toyota has not proven that they can really compete in Cup (so far at least) and why do you think that next year will be any different? I don’t want to see Tony Stewart in a Toyota and I sure would like to know what he thinks about it. Is the money that big to bring JGR over to them rather than stay with a winner like Chevrolet? This goes back to before the season started and how people talked about TRD bringing in the big bucks to get the big name teams to switch. Toyota said they were not buying their way into Cup, so it was the mediocre teams that went with them and only a couple have performed well. The so-called “Flagship” MWR ain’t showed squat, so I guess it’s time for the buy-in, ya’ reckon?
Stewart has got to be thinking, just how am I going to win races in 2008 if I’m in a Toyota? Because he sees them on the track and beats their butt along with Dodges, Fords and other Chevys. He is a great driver, but, like Mark Martin said about his 01 Army Chevrolet after the Daytona 500, he thought his driving was wearing out but it could have been his equipment. Meaning the Fords were the problem. Tony, you have got to talk some sense into the boss’ heads to stay with Chevrolet, because if it goes over, it’s embarrassing to come back. Toyota will be better next year? Yea right, that’s why UPS was rumored to be leaving MWR all along and why NAPA was supposedly unhappy.
And what about sponsors, will they like having their logos on Toyotas? Interstate Batteries might not mind because they merely change their name to International Batteries. How bout FedEx, could it be a problem for them? I doubt it since they fly the world on time already. The one I’m thinking about, and a few of my friends too (yes I’ve picked up a couple of new ones this year) is Home Depot. Will they enjoy a #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry on the track next year? The Depot is a performance company and I once read that the man that started it was real people-friendly and actually cares how customers feel and made his employees work hard to please them. Will they approve of their car running middle or last on race day?
If UPS and NAPA aren’t thrilled with TRD and more rumors arise of teams switching back to other brands, how can Gibb’s sponsors be happy with a major change like this? OK, I’ll say this too: many fans and teams have felt that Toyota does not belong in NASCAR because it is a foreign manufacturer, even if they are made here now. You know, I’m not real knowledgeable about Indy racing and Grand Prix or any of that kind of racing, but I wonder (and perhaps one of y’all can fill me here) did American made cars race back when those types got started, or was it mostly European? Now you have Toyotas and Hondas right in the thick of it with little-to-no American cars. Is that what NASCAR fans have to look forward to? Will Mercedes-Benz or Honda be next? Perhaps with all the “New Wave” NASCAR fans Mr. France has enjoyed winning over, we will soon see a #21 Beamer on the track.
You know a few weeks ago it was passed around the net that NASCAR was moving the Daytona 500 to Homestead for the last race of the season. In years to come they could do just that. They could also change the name from “The Great American Race” to something like, “The International Race.” Heck, they lost the IROC didn’t they? So why not let any manufacturer into NASCAR so it can be an international event? Isn’t that what Brian France wants anyway? I can see it now, no more Bud Shootout, it is now the “Evian Pour Out.” Well, I’m making it short, like I said, and if you need to contact me, get-r-done at tinynascars@yahoo.com and To Red White & Blue Be True with a couple of Stars & Bars in the infield. Also, and most of all, If it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t (aw heck with it) It ain’t SHIT!!!
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
