There’s never a dull moment in the world of NASCAR. I’m really starting to get the feeling that Smoke really is going to leave JGR, that Gibbs is looking hard for his replacement (and they have someone in mind), and that NASCAR really can be as capricious as some fans accuse them of being. On top of that, I have to say there’s a driver in the Gibbs garage that I like that should have received some kind of reprimand and didn’t.

My “cred” is taking a beating.

I can understand a certain amount of wanderlust on Stewart’s part as he has been with Gibbs his entire Cup career and he’s got an itch to become an owner a la Dale Earnhardt. Makes sense, after all Tony Stewart is starting to push forty and he has to think beyond his racing career. By the same token, if it’s Haas-CNC he’s talking to, Smoke needs to do what Nancy said and “Just say ‘no.’” If the “Rushville Rocket” wants to win , he should stay put. JGR is a top flight time and will put him in the best position to win. They’re getting maximum coin from Toyota, and when you look at what’s happened so far, the Gibbs-Toyota match is one made in Heaven. If Tony really is this loyal guy, then where is his loyalty to the comoany that’s stood by him all these years? If I were Tony, I’d only go to another team if it were a sweet deal from a team with it’s act together like RCR, Hendrick or Roush.

What makes me think he’s leaving is what came out when rumors were out that Juan Pablo Montoya was trying to woo JGR. In response, the word is that Gibbs is saying “No way” to the former IRL and F-1 star, partly because they had someone else in mind. Hmmm.

Meanwhile- back at the ranch- how does Denyy Hamlin not get a fine for his part in the incident at Lowe’s with Brad Keselowski? Granted, I think Kez is getting too big for his britches and needs a trip to the woodshed to remind him of his place in this sport. For my part, I think that Kez is carrying himself as an old veteran who’s arrived, and he’s simply not there yet. His boss, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has as much said the same.  That said, I think Hamlin has to be called on the carpet for no other reason than the damage he did to Keselowski’s car. Now if Denny kicked his butt in the pits after the race, that’s another story. Those cars cost bucks, and damaging the fender was an overreach. You just don’t  that, and yet somehow, all the punishment falls to the “88″ team. This does nothing to douse the fires of conspiracy thinking prevalent among NASCAR fans. Kezelowski and his crew deserve reprimands and a certain amount of fining. He started it. BUT you can’t ignore Hamlin’s culpability in this matter.

That, or you could shine the whole thing on.

Junior says he needs to spend a little more time mentoring and guiding young Brad. Not a bad idea. It shows good leadership on his part. This ownership business sure carries a lot of responsibility. It will be good training for fatherhood too.

An interesting perspective has been shared on the matter of one Kyle Busch. Kevin Harvick, a guy known to have ruffled a few feathers during his early career had a few words of wisdom. Yes, this is the same Harvick that had early career run-ins with Ricky Rudd and Greg Biffle- among others. The 8-year veteran says that someday- that hot streak that “Wild Thing” will end. While he’s not in the business to gain friends and sympathy- having some friends around can be a good thing when you’re down on your luck. That help can come in the form of advise, maybe the offering of a ride, should you need one, or even just a little more room on the track.

Think about Mark Martin’s mistake in a Nationwide race that wrecked out Carl Edwards on the way to a Martin win. Though Edwards was upset, he KNEW that “The Kid” meant no harm nor malice, it was just a racing incident. Now put Kyle in that car. Do you think Edwards would have felt the same way?

Nobody’s doubting Busch has talent. I enjoy Shrub’s aggressiveness and willingness to make tough passes and gamble in the same mold as Dale Earnhardt. But by the same token, Busch has been out of line with a number of things, and worse yet, he’s hacked on his crew. If Kyle isn’t careful, he’s destined to become a real life “Lightning Mc Queen“- a talented guy no one wants any part of.

It’s be shame, because being alone is a sad place to be. Sadly, it overshadows Busch’s considerable talents, and the fact, that he really does a lot of good things with his spoils.

“Good on” Kevin Harvick. Busch would do very well to heed the words someone who has been there.

  

 

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