Bleacher Report - Articles by Tanya Taylor

Joey Logano or Scott Speed: Sprint Cup Rookie Race Too Close to Call

Tanya Taylor — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:13:32 -0400

NASCAR Sprint Cup rookies Joey Logano and Scott Speed are hanging onto a spot in the top 35, but that's about it. No poles, no wins, no top-fives and no top-10s. Yes, they are rookies, but we expected much more out of these rising superstars.

Logano was destined for greatness, or maybe the preseason hype led us to believe he was. With all that talent and teammates like Denny Hamlin and superstar Kyle Busch, he should be in the top 12 by now.

So what's the problem?

It's not his car. Joe Gibbs Racing provides excellent competitive cars. Logano's teammates are currently seated fourth and eighth in the points.

It's not the talent. We all know of Logano's accomplishments. His first Nationwide Series win came in only his third start—where he also received the pole. In fact, he started 19 Nationwide races and received a total of three poles, five top-fives, and 14 top-10s. Prior to that, he was the 2007 Camping World Series East Champion during his first (and only) year.

It's not his crew chief. Greg Zippaldelli spent 10 years as crew chief for the two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. During Smoke and Zippy's rookie year alone, they won three races.

Possible problem? It could be the pressure of following in the steps of Stewart. Driving the No. 20 Home Depot car that has so much history. Just judging by Logano's past performance, I would say that is very unlikely.

I'm going to chalk up his season so far, by saying that there are so many competitive drivers out on the track in this level of NASCAR. Drivers that are hungry, drivers that are experienced, and drivers that feel they have something to prove.

Logano will struggle this year, but just maybe, with some help from his team and luck from the NASCAR gods, he may become a champion in about five years.

And what about superstar Speed?

In 2007, Scott finished third in the ACRA/REMAX Series, taking home three poles and four wins. Add that to his career in the prior five years that included 16 wins in such series as Formula Mazda, GP2 ,and Formula Renault. Team Red Bull has been sculpting this driver for years to eventually move up into the big time series of Sprint Cup.

So what is happening?

Could be the car. Team Red Bull has become more competitive over the past year, but no where near the caliber of Hendrick, Gibbs, or RCR.

Could be the talent. We've seen superstar drivers that have moved from other series into Sprint Cup and with little or no success such as Dario Franchitti, Max Papis, and Patrick Carpentier. It is possible that Speed's talent lies in another series.

Could be the crew chief (but not likely). Jimmy Elledge has the experience to be a crew chief, although he is not as well known as Chad Knaus, Steve Latarte, and Steve Addington. In 1997, he was car chief for Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and worked side-by-side with Larry McReynolds as Earnhardt finished fifth in the points. He has experience at RCR and most recently in 2008, serving as crew chief for Juan Pablo Montoya for the first part of the season.

It's possible that Speed needs a different team. I know he has a loyalty to Red Bull, but unless they step up to a more competitive level, Speed may always be "mediocre".

We may never know if it is his talent or his team holding him back from accomplishing a possible championship.

Fortunate for both of these guys, they have several years to show their talent. And all us NASCAR fans will be watching to see what these rookies will do.

Will the Real Kyle Busch Please Stand Up?

Tanya Taylor — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:34:24 -0400

Being a huge "Rowdy" fan, even I am becoming confused on who the real Kyle Busch is. Is he this arrogant punk kid that laughs when he laps down the most popular driver in the series, or is he the kind-hearted, generous man that donates money and his time to people in need?

I think back of the first time I met Busch. It was during the spring Nationwide race at Nashville Speedway in 2008. I was excited to be down in the "fan zone" area with the opportunity to meet some of the best drivers in the series.

Some drivers detoured away from the fans, while others stopped to sign hats, shirts, and pose for pictures from fans who had been waiting for hours just to see them.

I sat back and waited, just for that one opportunity to get a picture of Busch.

You see, like some other fans, I saw the potential in him. I knew that his career would skyrocket. I knew that someday, he would be in a position to be almost untouchable by his fans, much like Dale Earnhardt Jr. is now. And there he was.

He was running late for qualifying and when he came buzzing by the fans, there was a mixture of people yelling for him to stop and sign autographs, and those booing him for being, well just Kyle Busch!

He could have kept going, not looking back, but he paused for a moment just to tell everyone he'd be back. A lot of fans didn't believe him, mainly because some of the other big name drivers never returned. But about an hour later, he appeared.

Busch started on one end of the long line of fans and worked his way to the end. I know, because I was at the end.

Those same fans that cursed him earlier, were reaching out for autographs and pictures. The generosity was there that day. The appreciation of the fans and his understanding of what they meant to the sport.

Fast forward to his interview after the race at Bristol this weekend.

Talking trash about Earnhardt, Jr., talking about how he likes to "play the part" and how he doesn't want everyone rooting for him. It makes me think that maybe everyone hating on him is getting to him.

I think Busch has just conceded that he will be the bad guy forever. He has won races, he has proved to be one of the most competitive drivers ever in the sport, and yet the fans don't give him a break.

He has shown kindness and it goes unnoticed, but being the bad guy gets him attention.

With a little more maturity on his part and time for some of the fans to let up, maybe we will see the true Busch shine through.

I know I'll be there when it happens, rooting for him each step of the way.

Three NASCAR Drivers Primed to Break Out in 2009

Tanya Taylor — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:32:39 -0500

I wouldn't count on Jimmie Johnson making it 4 in a row. Not that Jimmie doesn't have what it takes He has the one of the best crew chiefs in the business, drives for one of the top teams and his teammates is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. I just don't think it will be enough for 2009. Not only is Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch going to be geared up to take the title, many drivers that had a mediocre or downright horrible season are ready to turn things around. Look for 2009 to be one of the most competitive NASCAR Sprint cup series ever. So who will breakout this season?

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NASCAR In Our Day—Have We Been Reduced to Fair-Weather Fans?

Tanya Taylor — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:19:55 -0500

I obsess about NASCAR. It may seem an unhealthy habit to some, but it’s an adrenaline rush to me.

I go into a slight phase of depression during off-season and literally go into, what best can be described as a sugar high, when I arrive at the track. Race Days are MY days.

I don’t talk work, school, family; I don’t even discuss what’s for dinner – only racing talk is allowed. I cannot be the only one, but sometimes I feel alone in my ways of thinking.

Talking to my friends and co-workers, I just don’t see the same enthusiasm or fixation that I have. The excitement level seems to fading with many of them and I am finding it harder to actual carry-on an intelligent conversation about the race with anyone anymore.

Conversations with my peers are focused on how someone did Dale Jr. wrong, Kyle Busch is just a punk or Jeff Gordon has lost his guts for racing. Small meaningless talk for a true diehard race fan, but sometimes I have to settle.

It started me contemplating why so many fans are becoming detached to the true NASCAR.

1. No relate ability? I hear it from fans a lot. There is no driver out there to relate too. The days of Dale Sr. are gone and today’s drivers are multi-millionaires with giant houses, 100K cars and private jets.

I don’t think the fact that these guys make the money actually bothers the fans; it’s that some of them walk around like they are worth that amount of money. It reminds of a story that my boss told me.

He received a garage pass and during that time, he was a Kasey Kahne fan. Kasey wasn’t engrossed in a conversation with anyone or had his hands full, he was just standing around.

When my boss tried to approach him, a young lady (which he could only assume was a PR person) stepped in between Kasey and him. My boss asked if he could get an autograph and the lady turned to Kasey to make sure that was okay. He shook his head and the lady motioned for him to leave.

Another time, I was in Nashville attending a Nationwide race when Carl Edwards came out of the garage area down “fan row”. As hundreds of his fans yelled for him, he turned his head and kept on walking – no wave, no smile, no nothing.

Drivers don’t have to act “stuck up” to not be relatable to fans. Just looking through Jeff Gordons website in his Fab 5section, he list some his favorite magazines as Robb Report – Luxury Homes, Yacht International and Conde Nast Traveller.

Besides the fact he’s married to a supermodel that probably wouldn’t look twice at him if he didn’t do what he does, or the fact that he charges over $100.00 for a bottle of wine that most of his fans couldn’t (or wouldn’t) be able to afford just pushes him further away from those fans that have spent their life supporting this sport.

I don’t mean to just pick on Jeff, just turn on CMT and check out the new episode of Cribs. Did you see Kevin Harvick"s pad?

Don’t know about you guys, but if someone came to my house, they’d see blankets on the couch, snacks on the table and dogs running through my yard. The house seemed like something I’d see in an issue of Homes & Garden magazine, not the home of a NASCAR driver.

I was excited when I heard they were featuring Kevin, Denny and Kyle’s homes, but is it really how they live? I wanted to see the guys hanging out with friends, NOT Miss Hawaiian Tropic, playing poker, maybe some Nascar 09 on the X-Box, having a cook-out, tearing down some cars.. something that made them seem real.

I started thinking about the thousands of fans that have been hit hard by the economy. Was that just another blow to their pride?

2. Nothing to cheer for? Or no one to boo for? I can remember a time where Dale Jr. fans would NEVER be the same as Jeff Gordon fans. Where there would be no way Jr. would leave his fathers team and head to the enemy team (team Hendrick).

Well, that day has come and gone - So have the days of true rivalry. Fans got excited to see the confrontation between Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick last season, but it was short lived as they made up on Tony Stewart Live at the end of the season.

Although getting along and loving each other may be the most politically correct thing to do, it just isn’t fun for the fans! Keep in mind that wrestling has lasted so long due to the antics, rivalries and drama.

3. To root for the team or the driver. With drivers switching teams on a whim, teams having to disassemble or merge just to keep going, it is hard to have and hold onto loyalties.

Many fans couldn’t imagine a season without a Petty or Earnhardt team, and although the names will probably live in for years, it’s just not the same. Now it’s Earnhardt-Ganassi racing with no Earnhardt racing under the banner and being led by the likes of one Juan-Pablo Montoya.

Same goes for the soon to be merged Petty Enterprises with Gillette-Evernham Motorsports. Kyle Petty was released during the negotiations which left a team of up and comers like Kahne, Sorrenson and Allmindinger.

This year I am feeling the struggle to maintain my love of Joe Gibbs Racing with the addition of young Joey Logano. The struggle for me comes from team Gibbs passing on some great drivers that were in a need of a ride for someone who, I personally feel, hasn’t put in his dues to be a Sprint Cup Racer. I hear that other fans struggle with the same issues.

4. Talking about dues – where are the boys that work on their cars and then go out and drive them? They are a dying breed. You just wonder how much some of these guys really know about cars anyway.

5. The semi-ugly beast of corporate NASCAR. I understand the need for high dollar corporate sponsors to keep NASCAR running smoothly, pay those outrageous salaries and to make it more widely available to a wider larger audience, but there are some downsides to the corporate influence.

First of all, since money is so important, some drivers are being kept around only because of their marketability, not their driving ability, while many drivers are passed over for rides because they are virtually unknown. A good example is the recent situation with Elliott Sadler.

Elliot has fans that will always follow him, yet his less than average performances should have forced Gillette to kick him to the curve and replaced him with another driver that has some potential. Well, we all saw how long that lasted.

Same goes for Casey Mears. Mears couldn’t keep up with his teammates for one of the top teams so how is he going to make it at an organization that does not have the same resources?

Corporate NASCAR forces drivers to speak with the reporters and crews of TV, radio and print media, but also prevents the drivers from saying what they really think. They have to be more careful on what they say as not to offend sponsors that are keeping them in operation. Watching some of those post race interviews seem so rehearsed.

So what can be done to keep the loyal fans and to broaden a loyal fan base? That’s what they hire those big boys as NASCAR marketing for. Once they get that figured out, the better the sport will be.

Just a personal note to the drivers: I know you get tired of fans walking up to you, asking for photos and autographs and gawking at you like you’re a new species that has just been discovered, but coming from a fan that spends 80% of her vacation savings each year on NASCAR races, pit passes, hospitality passes and buying countless unneeded NASCAR memorabilia, please treat fans with some respect.

I will never forget the kindness that Greg Biffle showed me during my first pit road visit. During that time, I was struggling for money, but still managed to come up with the over $100.00 needed to purchase a pit road pass just so I could get as close as I could.

After qualifying, he pulled up and jumped up out of his car. I was so excited since I was wearing my #16 hat and really thought if I ever had the chance to meet Greg, I would tell him what a wonderful man he was for supporting the animals through his foundation since that is where my heart lies too.

I finally conjured up the nerve to walk up to him, only to spit out the words “would you mind signing my hat?” I actually interrupted him speaking to his crew and could have easily ignored me or said no, but he turned around and signed my hat with a smile.

It made me feel so wonderful and it didn’t matter if I saw anything else the rest of the day. My point being – you never know if that fan may have spent their dinner money to be able to afford a pass to a race, or maybe that day is the only day of the year they were able to get out an enjoy themselves from their lives of working 2 full-time jobs just to keep food on their tables.

It is amazing what kind of influence you may have on someone’s life today. You never have to apologize for what you have, where you live or what you drive, just remember that we are all family, part of the human family and each of us deserve to give and receive respect from each other.

There Are Still Great Deals Out There For NASCAR Fans

Tanya Taylor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:06:57 -0400

Almost daily there is some mention about the economic crisis we are dealing with and how it is affecting NASCAR. I am fortunate enough to live within a couple of hours of several tracks and plan my vacation time and funds accordingly, but for some fans, it has been a huge struggle to get to the races this year.

Don't give up hope. NASCAR and tracks are working out great ticket deals and special events to keep things exciting and affordable for the fans. Here are a few deals we ran into this year and some that have been posted for 2009.

1. Best kept secret (and most affordable) was heading to Nashville this year. It was a Nationwide race but some Sprint cup drivers such as Kyle Busch, Clint Boyer and Carl Edwards were there.

It was a great race (more exciting than some of the Sprint races we've seen this year) and we were able to pay $10.00 to get a fan pass to head down to the "behind the scenes" area to watch the drivers come and go before and after qualifying. Some drivers, such as Clint Boyer, Sterling Marlin and Brad Kesolowski stopped for photos and signed anything thrown at them.

The biggest surprise was watching Kyle Busch's interaction with the fans. He was awesome and started on one end of "fan row" and walked to the end signing autographs and talking with fans. The biggest disappointment was Carl Edwards who was a bit "stuck up." He didn't acknowledge any of fans although some were there just to see him.

2. Bristol Motor Speedway. Yes, Bristol sells out, but did you know you can still get great seats a day before the race? I made a last minute decision to head to Bristol for the August race and found great seats to both the Nationwide and Sprint cup races for 6 of us. Seats were great and below ticket value.

One thing to be aware of: Don't stop at the first guys selling tickets. There a great deals the closer you get to the track. My boss and his friends came for the Sprint cup race only and said they were offering suite tickets for less than $100.00 the day of the race.

3. Use a tour service. By the time you add in hotel and food, some tour services are more than affordable. We used Lynch Tours in Charlotte and loved not having to sit in traffic for two hours.

4. Get the most for your race weekend. When we went to Charlotte, we made a huge race weekend. Charlotte is great because there is so much to do. All the race shops are FREE except for MWR's RaceWorld USA. Even the smaller raceshops offer something for the fans.

For example, when we went to Yates Racing, we were offered Energy Drinks, hero cards (available at most shops), and up close photos with one of the cars. RaceWorld USA is worth the money. Micheal Waltrip has done an AWESOME job giving the fans access to what they really want to see.

We also saw our first Legend car racing and then headed over to the dirt track. If you've never been dirt track racing, you're missing out. A lot of the Sprint Cup drivers head over there so keep your eyes open. Tickets are very affordable and in May, they handed out a huge bag of goodies.

5. Look for hospitality packages. Talladega seemed to do it right. For about a hundred dollars, we added on a hospitality package that included appearances by three drivers (Ku.Busch, Newman, and Sorrenson), breakfast, lunch, unlimited water and soda, and six beer/wine coupons.

It also included a pre-race pit pass which helped fill up most of our day. We didn't have to lag around a heavy cooler and didn't have to come up with money for lunch or snacks. Well worth the money.

Couple of other deals that have popped up:

Atlanta Motorspeedway (October 08).

Elliott Grandstand - Pep Boys Family Four Pack

Bringing affordable fun to the whole family, Pep Boys and Atlanta Motor Speedway are offering the Pep Boys Family Four Pack for just $159 for the Pep Boys Auto 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. The Pep Boys Family Four Pack includes four lower level Elliott Grandstand seats, four hot dogs and four 12-ounce Coca Colas for just $159. www.atlantamotorspeedway.com

Las Vegas Motorspeedway (Feb 09)

Main Grandstand Weekend Package Seating
Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2009

A weekend package, which includes reserved seats for the Sprint Cup race and the Sam's Town 300, and we toss in a general-admission pole day ticket for free! Your reserved seat will give you a breathtaking view of the action on our 20-degree banking. $117 - $225. www.lvms.com

Daytona International Speedway (Feb 09)

Consider attending the Gatorade Duels, Shootout, Daytona 250 Truck Race or the Campint World Nationwide Race for more affordable tickets with a lot of action.

DIS is currently offering a $15.00 All you can eat buffet if you purchase tickets to any of the above races. Other offers that DIS is advertising:

BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT HOOTERS HOSPITALITY - $20

Already have your tickets. For just $20 join the Girls of Hooters in the very own Hospitality tent located in Frontstretch Hospitality Village. Includes a plate of wings, (two) drink tickets for beer or coca-cola products, music, and of course the World Famous Hooters Girls.

BUSWEISER SHOOTOUT PRE RACE/FAN ZONE - $25

The next best thing to a garage pass! Not only will you be able to get closer than ever before with your SPRINT FANZONE ticket, the Pre-Race Pass also allows fans to walk across the track surface, over the grassy Tri-Oval and onto Pit Road until the end of driver introductions.

Also includes:

View from the top of SPRINT Cup garages for behind the scenes action

Daytona Bistro

Live Entertainment

Media Stage

Sign your name on the start/finish line

www.daytonaintlspeedway.com

Check out all the NASCAR track websites for special ticket deals that keep popping up. Support NASCAR and have a wonderful vacation at the same time.

A Look into My Crystal Ball: NASCAR Predictions for 2009

Tanya Taylor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:58:22 -0400

Looking into my crystal ball, here are my 2009 NASCAR predictions.

Jeff Gordon will start off strong with multiple wins or will contemplate retirement.
Casey Mears will flourish at Richard Childress Racing. Look how the last driver that left Hendrick is doing.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will partner with another team or face its demise by the end of the season.
Joe Gibbs Racing will announce its fourth car driver by the end of the summer.
Scott Speed will not be the next Kyle Busch. Contrary to what some people believe, he does not have the natural ability that Kyle does. This doesn't mean he can’t be just as great, but he'll need a few years under his belt.
Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart will have their first feud by midseason.
Roush Fenway Racing will drop McMurray by the end of the season, which will work out great for Jaime.
Mark Martin will turn into an aggressive driver. This is his last shot at a championship!
Dale Jr. fans will find someone else to be ticked off at. This Kyle Busch thing is getting old.
Reed Sorenson will have to improve his stats to prove himself. If not, this may be is final Sprint Cup contract.
Juan Pablo Montoya will get an awesome teammate, but his team will continue to fail him. Remember that fourth car at JGR.
Dodge will make it into the Chase next year. I think Dodge was embarrassed and they will do what they need to be competitive.
Kurt Busch will be back in the Chase thanks to Dodge and the new guys at Penske.
Dale Jr. will win the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship.

To Finish or Not to Finish? Kurt Busch Got His Answer, Loud and Clear

Tanya Taylor — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:43:15 -0400

Kurt's luck ran out again at Martinsville today! The third-place finish from last week's race at Lowe's Motor Speedway was almost forgotten when the Penske Plague surfaced again.

After three blown tires and a spin out, Kurt was clear about what he wanted. He asked his crew "Can I park this thing?" The answer came back: "NO."

When Kurt expressed his concern for safety, I wondered if the crew took it seriously or just brushed it off as Kurt just being upset.

It got me thinking: When the driver is feeling uneasy in the car, why was he not given the option of parking it? Kurt was more than 20 laps down, was not in the chase, and undoubtedly had a car not worth driving (as it's been most of this season).

NASCAR rules state that if the driver starts the race, they will be awarded points and money according to their finish. How much worse could it have been if Kurt finished 41st instead of 36th (Joe Nemecheck and Ragan Smith were already out of the race).

* Kurt was awarded 55 points, if he finished 41st, he would have been awarded 40. Kurt is currently 18th in points and the 15 points he would have lost by not finishing would not have jeopardized his spot in the top 35.

* Regarding prize money, the purse is pretty close for the lower 35 positions. I don't think anyone believes money is an issue.

* Sponsor concerns. Could Miller Lite truly want to see their car running horribly, race after race?

A good alternative would have been to pull it behind the wall and pretend to work on it. ABC would have kept going back to check on the "progress," giving the sponsor a lot of air time.

When does a crew trust the driver? And when does the driver say "screw it" and walk away from the car?

Anyone Else Thankful for Jeff Burton?

Tanya Taylor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:52:04 -0400

Thank you to Jeff Burton and even Greg Biffle! Thank you for stepping up and making the Chase an event to watch.

The thoughts of Jimmie Johnson running away with his third championship or winning race after race (like last year) had me feeling down.

Nothing against Jimmie; I mean, I am not a Jimmie Johnson fan, but it does give us girls something nice to look at each Sunday.

It's just the ultimate domination he had last season was, well, BORING! I felt like I didn't even have to watch the race, Jimmie was going to win it.

I believe a big THANK YOU should be given to Richard Childress, Rousch, and Joe Gibbs Racing for giving Hendrick something to compete against this year.

Even NASCAR deserves a big pat on the back for this new C.O.T. and for bringing the competition closer together.

Being a great driver is only one part of being a champion, and this season has been proof.

Keep it up, boys! Keep us true NASCAR fans on the edge of our seat until Miami-Homestead.

Make us think about every scenario that "could" be. Let us feel your passion for winning and make us want to be at every race. Leave us dreaming about 2009!

What is Kurt Busch Lacking?

Tanya Taylor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:29:31 -0400

For all us Kurt Busch fans out there, it sure was nice to see him finish ahead of his brother Kyle.

We know he's talented, we know he's driven, but the equipment (we won't dare call it a race car) he's been forced to drive this season isn't fit for backyard racing, let alone the most prestigious race arena: SPRINT CUP RACING!

I was fortunate enough to be able to get into the Dodge Hospitality at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month. I say fortunate because a small group of us were able to spend a few minutes with Kurt.

If you've never had the opportunity to hear Kurt speak, he is incredible. He dives straight into a one-on-one interaction with the fans (even if they are not his) and talks about details that some drivers never mention.

He was open about the new C.O.T. and where Penske was headed with the new engine package. He was hopeful he'd run well that day, but was confident that 2009 would be a much improved year.

If the race at Lowe's Motor Speedway this past weekend was any indication, I say we're gearing up for a great 2009 season.

Being a Busch Boys fan (both Kurt and Kyle), I was happy to hear Kurt brag a bit on little brother. He was honest in saying there was a rivalry there and that he's been too long in Kyle's rear-view mirror.

I don't think Kyle is the better driver; I just think he has a few things that Kurt is lacking right now.

No. 1 is equipment.

There is no comparison between Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing this season. I'm not sure if the credit should be given to Toyota for building the superior car or Joe Gibbs for hiring the right people to tweak them.

No. 2 is the "Here's to you" attitude.

Kyle had something to prove this year; Kurt didn't.

Being released from Hendrick Motorsports for the most popular driver in NASCAR must have been a huge slap in the face for this up-and-coming superstar.

Nothing would be nicer than to throw it back at Mr. Rick.

No. 3 is what I call NFF, better known as the NO FEAR FACTOR.

Kyle drives like a madman who is obsessed with racing. Remember the days of Kurt Busch vs. Jimmy Spencer? Kyle was fortunate enough (and yes, I said FORTUNATE) to plow into Dale Jr. this season, becoming one of the most hated drivers ever.

I think the only way you can make it big in this sport is to be the most loved or the most hated, so good job, Kyle. I know it drives me to sit in the middle of a bunch of Dale Jr. fans at Talladega wearing only Kyle Busch apparel.

I love the battle, I love the reaction, and I love it most of all when Kyle gets out there and wins! Don't you think Kyle gets the same feelings?

Kurt doesn't have that this season. I thought it was there when 2008 started: the feud with Tony...but that was short lived. What Kurt needs is a rivalry with another superstar. Maybe Dale Jr.? Carl Edwards? Jeff Gordon?

I remember reading an interview Kurt did years ago where he was quoted saying "If you think I'm good, wait until my brother comes on-board".

I'm sure he never thought he'd be running so far behind baby brother, but it makes me wonder what may have happen if Kurt would have stayed at Rousch, would he be running where Biffle and Edwards are?

Would he be the superstar of the team? Would he have another championship?

Okay, I'm going to take the high road from here on out. I never hear Kurt bad-mouth his team, and I'm going to stop. I am going to try and have the faith that Kurt does.

Let's hope that by Newman leaving and none of team PENSKE making it to the Chase, that Roger will kick it up and 2009 will be their year.

I'm a loyal fan as long as Kurt is there, and he is Penske's best shot and getting back in the Chase next year.

Good luck, Kurt!