NASCAR Michigan weekend--Nationwide and Cup at2 mile oval

montoya just has to get a decent run, nothing spectacular in these last 4 races. hopefully this is another "boring" weekend for the 42 team.

The entry lists for the Nationwide and Cup events in Michigan just came out so I figured time to start a thread.

Again, there are more Nationwide entries than Cup entries. While there are 46 cars entered for the Cup race, a whopping 51 have signed up to try to start on Saturday.

No fewer than thirteen Cup regulars plan to compete in the Nationwide race.

http://www.scenedail...nwide_race.html

http://www.scenedail...t_Michigan.html

This is one of the so-called "cookie cutter" tracks which means for myself that the racing is quite boring. As for JPM's chances, I'd say a top-10 would be a major accomplishment. The extremely high speeds should suit him well but this is a track where the car is everything. Better hope the boys on the 42 team are dialing in a LOT of front downforce and they find some power somewhere.

Overall we should see a return of the status quo--Hendrick, Stewart-Haas, Rousch, and Gibbs in the front with the second tier teams fighting to be best of the rest.

You really think we need to visit Michigan twice and Fontana twice?

I see a first win on oval for the 42....

You could be right. Here's hoping they take the Indianapolis car.

No. 42 Target Chevrolet (NSCS): Chassis #819. The Target team will
bring Chassis #819 to Michigan International Speedway this weekend
marking the third race of the season for this chassis. Montoya last
raced chassis #819 at Pocono Raceway where he finished a season-high
second place. The team also used this chassis at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway where Montoya qualified on the outside pole and led 116 of the
races 160 laps.

http://www.theautoch.../11/473826.html

You really think we need to visit Michigan twice and Fontana twice?

Hello, here's Ross.

Including Pocono et al.

Edited by Rob, 12 August 2009 - 15:30.

Poconos are so close together I forget it's two races.

I think fewer second visits to tracks would make NASCAR more competitive, basically.

The NASCAR schedule is a serious problem. I don't think they should visit ANY tracks twice. It only serves to water down each race. They should also race on MANY more road courses, as they are routinely the most interesting races of the year.

Unfortunately, the schedule will remain as it is, because it is all about money, not about what is best for the sport.

This weekend, #25-Brad Keselowski returns to his home track of Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski was raised in Rochester Hills, Mich., located about 100 miles from the track. Before making his way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series, Keselowski cut his racing teeth running local tracks in quarter-midgets and late-model stock cars. Keselowski will attempt to make his first Michigan start in the Sprint Cup Series this weekend driving the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports.

Dodge Motorsports Teleconference Transcript with Travis Geisler, Crew-Chief for Sam Hornish Jr. and the #77 Mobil 1 Dodge:
Q: SAM (HORNISH JR.) TOOK A PRETTY BIG HIT YESTERDAY DURING THE RACE AT WATKINS GLEN. CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON HOW HE IS FEELING?
A: He's doing really well. I actually had a chance to talk to him this morning. He gave me a call pretty early to make sure that I went around thanking all the guys that work on the interiors (of the car) and all the welding on the chassis. He's in good shape. He was going to take it easy today and get a little rest. It's something that we're real proud of here at Penske Racing as far as the safety of our cars. Certainly with the carbon fiber seats and everything that we've done over the last couple of years, it's pretty obvious that we have a really safe car. This COT has done a really good job protecting the drivers. Sitting there watching a friend and co-worker take a hit like that isn't the most comforting thing. Knowing that you've done everything that you can do and when you see him sitting there playing with his baby girl, it makes you feel like you're doing a pretty good job."
Q: ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SAM NOT BEING IN THE CAR THIS WEEKEND? [at Michigan]
A: None at all. He's ready to go. He just wants to get back to Michigan because it's sort of a home race for him. It's about the closest (track) to home that we race for him. Our car owner (Roger Penske), Dodge, myself being from Pennsylvania, it's kind of a home race for us. So we're excited to get up there. He's ready to get back up there and we're gearing up for another good weekend."

Also, yes, it is time to do away with Talladega and Daytona. The races are farces and they are extraordinarily dangerous. I feel that it is a miracle that a car has not flown into the stands, killing dozens of fans. It seems inevitable, like a disaster waiting to happen.

Once again, these races will remain, because they excite the masses, and because it is all about money in the end. Until tragedy strikes, nothing will be done.

If we can have more road course races instead, I'm all for it

Edited by The Ragged Edge, 12 August 2009 - 18:03.

daytona will go no where, it's the first place nascar ever raced, it is the birth place of speed.

The bread and butter staple diet of NASCAR ovals is what defines the series. I'm all for them doing more road courses. But theres even objection in some quarters to the 2 road races the already have. The big teams dont even take road courses seriously, because there are so few, including none in the chase. If I was in charge, I would take away a 8 of the 13 double race circuits and replace them with 3 more road course races (Leguna Seca, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and in the chase Road America) and the other 5 races I would give to Ovals who are not yet on the NASCAR sprint cup calendar. This would make all the drivers and teams take road courses seriously and oblidge NASCAR to make provisions to provide cars capable of racing in the rain. Otherwise it will make them look like intransigent, backwards and stubborn.

I think NASCAR would like a plate season finale actually, it literally means anyone can be champion with 10 laps to go.

The problem is more that there are too many races, than what tracks they are on. Sure 36 different tracks would be more entertaining, but it's more than the series can really support.

The problem is more that there are too many races, than what tracks they are on. Sure 36 different tracks would be more entertaining, but it's more than the series can really support.

Edited by Denier, 12 August 2009 - 21:01.

The first championship race was at Charlotte. The second was at Daytona Beach, not the speedway.

for the drivers not in the chase, what happens to the point system?

fontana is really boring.. Michigan is ok... double file restarts, shootout style will make these races more interesting and more fun to watch..

fontana is really boring.. Michigan is ok... double file restarts, shootout style will make these races more interesting

Michigan is ok... double file restarts, shootout style will make these races more interesting

double file restarts, shootout style will make these races more interesting

double file restarts, shootout style

Edited by OfficeLinebacker, 12 August 2009 - 23:18.

The bread and butter staple diet of NASCAR ovals is what defines the series. I'm all for them doing more road courses. But theres even objection in some quarters to the 2 road races the already have. The big teams dont even take road courses seriously, because there are so few, including none in the chase. If I was in charge, I would take away a 8 of the 13 double race circuits and replace them with 3 more road course races (Leguna Seca, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and in the chase Road America) and the other 5 races I would give to Ovals who are not yet on the NASCAR sprint cup calendar. This would make all the drivers and teams take road courses seriously and oblidge NASCAR to make provisions to provide cars capable of racing in the rain. Otherwise it will make them look like intransigent, backwards and stubborn.

If you look at it from that point of view, they also compete with Basketball, Baseball and Hockey, so essentially they are screwed no matter what.

Road America for sure, cos hey it's in the Southeast.