As Americans prepare to sit around their—or a relative's—dining room table, gobble down some turkey and talk about what they're thankful for, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the trials, tribulations and controversies the NASCAR sanctioning body are probably not thankful for this year.
So, without further delay let's look back on some of the most controversial stories on 2008...
1. Tires Cause Problems at Atlanta, Indianapolis
Sure, Kyle Busch winning Toyota's first race was a big deal. And even though drivers experienced no tire failures, many said "I ain't going to put up with this" or "I'm going home and taking everything that has Goodyears off and put Firestones on and feel a lot safer."
"I felt like I was going to crash every single lap," fifth place Jeff Gordon said. "I'm exhausted right now. I feel like I've run a thousand miles here. There is just no reason for this. This car, this tire, at this racetrack, was just horrible."
Goodyear and NASCAR, however, disagreed with the "120 different opinions" and classified the day as a success.
"Getting into attacks in the media is not the right place," Justin Fantozzi, marketing manager for Goodyear Motorsports, said. "We are tremendously proud of the wear rates we saw here today. As always, we bring the safest tire we know how to build. It's up to the race teams to go as fast as they can."
If drivers thought the tires at Atlanta were bad, they were definitely in for some sour grapes at Indianapolis a few months later, when tires that would only wear to twelve or thirteen laps turned the famed Brickyard 400 into a series of "heat races."
Only three drivers- Kurt Busch, Earnhardt, Jr. and Brian Vickers- were at the April tire test at IMS, something car owner Rick Hendrick wasn't happy with. The test had Tony Eury, Jr. concerned and he reported to Goodyear that tires were only lasting 15 laps, which the tire company pushed aside because the track surface "historically" gained grip throughout the weekend and race.
Yeah, that didn't happen...
"At least at Atlanta we could run more than 10 laps," said Jamie McMurray. "I'm shocked they did a tire test and this is what they ended up with.
"That wasn't a race," Ryan Newman said. "It's ridiculous."
Several were held to blame, including Indianapolis and owner Tony George, who have experienced tire debacleswith Formula One, NASCAR and of course Goodyear.
"It's nobody's fault," said Goodyear spokesman Greg Stucker said. "It's the package, and that's what we need to understand.
"We need to know why the racetrack didn't take rubber like last year."
Three letters will answer that: COT.
2. Rowdy Busch finds gold, rivalries but fails in Chase
Buddy Baker said it best. "Every once in a while the devil jumps out of Kyle Busch."
Busch won an impressive twenty one races this past season in the Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series, including tying the great Sam Ard's most wins in a Nationwide season (ten) and winning four Cup races in a row. He even attempted three races in three states at the beginning of June, competing in Texas, Nashville, and Pocono.
6 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mary Jo Buchanan 7 months ago
Jen, you nailed it - tires and weather were the biggest controversies of the 08 season - also the ten rain issues that caused qualifying cancellations - slightly (yeah right) favoring our new champion.
Great read.
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Jen Preston 7 months ago
Thanks MJ! And good point... mother nature (and NASCAR being quick at the gun to cancel qualifying!) definitely helped JJ out.
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Kelly Crandall 7 months ago
Great Job Jen-
There sure were plenty of "happenings" this year and just makes me more excited about next year. And I have no doubt that there will be plenty more to talk about after 09......
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Jen Preston 7 months ago
Thanks Kelly! And with all the changes made this year, I'm sure 2009 will keep the NASCAR section very, very busy!
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al asifyouknow 7 months ago
Yeaa Jen , another good one !!!!!! ....there was lots to talk about in 2008 , i just wish i had found the Bleacher Report sooner..lol...just had some bird ZZZzzzzZZZzzZZzzzzzzz...
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Jen Preston 7 months ago
Why thank you, Al! And yeah, I was thinking that earlier in the season but luckily it was right before silly season really picked up! Don't worry, like I told Kelly '09 could be a crazy, crazy year if things keep going like they are...
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