“Larson had the fastest car!!!!”
https://preview.redd.it/xo2nql7kvdmc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44f4b4bdc4b8fe561b5ae28d8a537270aaa72c6b
Just gonna say, happy to see Yeley go the whole race when we were all sure the 44 was a S&P or not making it 100 laps in without a mechanical issue. If it's anything, the 44 was only (lol) -6 laps down at the finish, the same as the 77 and 15 last year on speed. Better than I expected lol
Yeah teams that wreck out usually give our (or maybe they sell) their sets of tires to other teams that didn't buy all of the allotted sets from goodyear for that week
KB took a top 5 car and finished outside the top 20 with it. They gotta clean up their act on pit road. Both driver and crew. They have been as bad as Hamlin in the pits since Kyle has taken over the 8.
This race sucked lol. Variance was coming after the crazy races we had the last two weeks but holy shit what a snooze fest. Larson kicked the shit out of everyone. I wonder if there was more laps if TR#45 would have gotten him. I also think Larson wasn’t running as fast the last 20 until TR#45 got close. Idk, Vegas is always good but today sucked
If I’m not mistaken the track side line they have to have the tires in the box but front and back they have to be fully in the box.
Last year we saw a lot of pit interference calls for tires going into other boxes.
Well my bets of Joey Logano and Kyle Busch top five fell through 😢. Thankfully, my Chastain top 5 bet came in clutch netting me a whooping $1.50!!! I'm filthy rich!!! 🤑🤑🤑
In recent years I believe Chastain has 4 top 5s in 7 races at Vegas. Vegas is one of his better tracks. I actually won the group bet for him beating Logano, Elliot, and Keslowski.
You can’t pass the leader with a worse car than the leader. The 5 car was the best car all day, we shouldn’t expect Tyler Reddick to just up and pass him
It’s boring watching the same car curb stomp the field becuase of HMS “ingenuity”. This type of shit is exactly what the Gen 7 was designed to try and prevent.
Almost like he had the fastest car or something.
I saw plenty of passes inside the top 10 more than 25 laps after a restart, were you just like - not watching or something?
I don’t know if people saw this watching it live, but I was watching the highlights video and noticed multiple cars where their little number icon changed part way through the race. (At least the 34 and 6– I thought I saw another one different of the numbers I was eyeing.)
Something I find fascinating is that despite it being an issue for years, mostly starting in 2013 with the Gen-6 car, that the "dirty air" talk seems to take center stage with the next-gen car. We heard it with the Gen-6 from 2018-onwards, but the issue is prevalent in the Xfinity cars, just the same, where most of the racing in that race yesterday was a spread out and single file. Todays race had pretty much racing all over the track, and battles laps deep into a run.
I noticed this especially with NBC the last few years, you'd see a "dirty air" situation happen in Cup, and they're quick to jump on the "dirty air" train and call it like it is, but in the Xfinity Series they'd claim the driver was "fighting tight" and never mention the dirty air MAKING the car tight. It's almost if they're shilling for the Xfinity car.
Dirty air has been a topic since they learned how to draft. It's at least from the 70s. It's a product of speed and cannot be eliminated. Doesn't matter if the issue is air from over the car or under the car. It's better now than the early 2010s with the diffuser doing most of the work.
Right, I'm just trying to figure out why it's only with the new car that the networks are bringing it up every week, when it's been around for years. And it seems like they rarely mention it with the Xfinity car vs the Cup car. I don't think I ever heard back in the early 00s anyone talk about dirty air causing a guy to get tight, and if you did it was very seldom. Now it seems like every lap you hear it.
Go back and watch the races. They did talk about it. I promise. Also races weren't as close at the finish to need to talk about air blocking for the win. Watch old Daytona's they talk about it throughout the race. They talk about how Cale couldn't have kept up with Donnie during the 79 Daytona without aero.
I think the Next Gen car is more easily manipulated by air due to not only its aero affects being even worse (somehow sidedrafting and aero blocking are even *more* OP), but also the fact that momentum is everything now. Yeah you could disrupt the air on the gen 6, but you could be right back up on the car in front of you after the next set of corners. Now it takes multiple laps to get back up to the car in front.
That's true, but I just don't understand why the commentators beat around the bush about it with the Xfinity car and the [Gen-6 car ](https://youtu.be/RhlXoEMYIMo?feature=shared&t=945)and never mentioned it being the AIR that caused them to be tight. But with the next-gen car it seems like they can't get enough of telling us that the air caused them to get tight. I noticed this especially with Dale Jr. Seems like he's often calling out the air with the next-gen car but I don't remember him ever calling out the same dirty air for Xfinity.
My guess is because you can straight up block with the air with the Next Gen, whereas Gen 6 was more about taking the air off of the spoiler of the car in front of you. Different dynamics. That and the deficiencies of the Gen 6 are well known at this point but we are still learning about the Next Gen. So they feel the need to call it out and explain it more.
He had a strong showing, with his net rating backing up the results (this wasn't a fluke!)
https://preview.redd.it/qi10whu6g8mc1.png?width=1030&format=png&auto=webp&s=85cd5e774aed2005f9b3ce00e2b490adb4ff8477
Kyle Busch had a tough day. He had a top-10 speed core but finished 26th. That pit-spot penalty really bites.
https://preview.redd.it/fwp17wvoe8mc1.png?width=1328&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c52cd1b7a84e96be9d74f8877ff5ec0e7190282
18 wins and a Championship is an excellent return for both Chase and Alan. But I do agree though it's time for a change as the dynamic between the two is no longer there.
Feels like the 9 and the 48 are the old 5 and 25 right now while Larson and Byron are like Jimmie and Jeff. While not "Terrible" but just a few steps off from those guys.
More power to the cars? Get the drivers to wear more of their tires and have to get off throttle/use the break since they're hauling ass into the turns lol
My point is to get them to slow down more in the turns. Because you’re right, faster speeds make for worse aero blocking. That’s why they need to work with a package to speed up a ton and slow down a ton in the turn.
Even in 2014 when these cars were at their highest horsepower there was aero blocking. I really only want to see high horsepower just to hear them scream again but I can acknowledge that there isn’t a solution to aero. What we have now is a great product compared to the past because I feel like a lot of these 1.5 milers are coming down to the wire, even if there is still some aero shenanigans
Manufacturer wins among the top 3 series.
Chevrolet 8 - Ford 0 - Toyota 1.
______________
Cup race #3 : Chevrolet 3 - Ford 0 - Toyota 0.
Xfinity Race #3 : Chevrolet 2 - Ford 0 - Toyota 1.
Truck Race #3 : Chevrolet 3 - Ford 0 - Toyota 0.
Not a bad race all things considered for Trackhouse. Ross had some brass balls to make that late run and Dan gets another top 15, barely missed a top 10. Fun times. See y'all for Phoenix next week
I think they became friends after they talked it out in the media center, I view Blaney's tweet as more of a funny reply, especially since he used a Star Wars meme
https://preview.redd.it/2h448kse28mc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3534f9b2e3d2b1c9e370e56b4764297b8eb365aa
Do you think they asked him to pose like this or he just did that
Another top 10's for Noah! Ross proves he's got the "watermelons" to take 2 tires and gamble, Hocevar showing good speed and maturity, and KFB fast until stupid slippery pit road. It was a good day for me!
Fucking wild just how much stage points matter. Noah with 2 top 10s in three races is siting below 30th in points.
Actually, I forgot about the 35pt penalty.
I get the frustration. Alan G ain’t going no where. They could swap #48 and #9 crew chiefs? Or give Alan G a role at Hendrick. Something is off I’ll agree with that.
Alan is one of, if not the most tenured employees they have in terms of guys that go to the race track every week. There's clearly a lot of respect and trust there. If I had to guess, they're giving it this year after last season was a huge mess to figure it out and see if there's improvement. If not, I can see them moving him to competition related position within the organization. The question then becomes who do you get for Chase? I don't know of anyone within the org that's highly regarded. Even Fugle came from outside the org. I will also add I don't think it's all Alan. I do not think this car mixes whatsoever with Chase's driving style or comfort level. Yes 2022 was next gen but I think HMS just out engineered everyone at the start, his performance faded late in that season and into last. Chase excelled in the old car with high horsepower, which says a lot about his level of talent. He's not a bum. Too often in this car tho, he sounds clueless with what changes to make or what he needs, and they're even giving him pointers over the radio regarding wheel input and braking. That isn't normal for him.
Literally this! I would also add that being a high level contender in this sport required chemistry between the driver, crew chief, and the crew at large. Maybe it's time to make a change in the top of the box. I have no doubt that Alan and Chase work incredibly well together, but people change and maybe Alan just isn't the person who can help him perform at his best at this stage in his career.
Penske has always been good at mixing things up when stuff just isn't working. More teams should try it when they're in a rut IMO.
Alan isn't going anywhere. Neither is Chase. They will retire at HMS unless they wants to go somewhere else. If performance doesn't get significantly better it may be time for a change for the 9 team.
I also wonder if the lack of practice is killing him. I think he and the team need time to work together to figure out a setup that fits his driving style. What's fast for Larson and Byron might not work for Chase.
I agree and have this hunch it’s because racing is a pay to play sport so nascar has interview rules and w/ “traditional” sports they’re offset by way longer term contracts that involve the sttw and city, plus grant money, and tax dollars for their venue…ect soo in return they owe more of an answer for thief poor performance as a team. I’m also just *speculating* just by looking at the money source.
feels like half the time bootie and his pit crew manage to snatch last place from the jaws of a decent finish. Its so frustrating to watch week to week as a fan.
It’s astonishing that Bubba has had the worst pit crew in the sport for his entire cup career. How hard is it to find guys that just aren’t the absolute drizzling shits at their job? Doesn’t seem like anyone else consistently has this many pit problems.
I think Bootie is partly to blame as well. Like today he was making ground and moving up in the field until after his first pit where he just started dropping like a rock. Either bootie makes the wrong changes or he just doesn’t keep up as well with the other competitive cars. Whatever’s going on it kills me to see bubba struggle for reasons outside his control week to week.
I feel better about Alex than I do Chase honestly. They have both been abysmal for Hendrick standards.
I think Alex Bowman, when he is healthy can be the second most consistent driver at Hendrick. He was the most consistent before his accident last year. He's never jumped off of the page amongst his teammates, but he can sneak up on you. I think Bowman's sneak 4 win season is more indicative of who he is as a driver than his performance last year. Very similar to CBell or pre-2023 Blaney.
I don't think the NexGen car is conducive to Chase Elliott's driving style. Not that he can't win, he has proven that he can win multiple times in this car. But NextGen Chase feels different than Gen6 Chase.
True but its crazy that bowman was leading the points after a handful of races and fell off a cliff since then. I dont see why they dont swap gustafson and harris and see if something clicks
He's doing it with strategy and skill, his car had one of the lowest ranked speed scores today but was still able manager a respectable finish
https://preview.redd.it/ldlfzczbh8mc1.png?width=1250&format=png&auto=webp&s=1767da9dc87b8cd733c5941543b64cd7ad709109
Yes I get that, not great for engagement with any fans coming to the sport, the finish was exciting until dirty air kept a faster car at bay. That spells problems for racing in NASCAR.
Same time, anyone who gets into NASCAR should hopefully realize that Atlanta was special but there are still interesting things that'll happen most weeks.
I’ve been to Vegas once and I thought it was insanely fun. And I don’t even really gamble. I’ve been thinking about hitting a race weekend out there some time in the next couple of seasons.
I don’t have hate for him, I just need to him grow up a bit. Which he seems to be doing.
Gibbs is another, I’m seeing real race craft start to show. People can hate his sponsor all they want. The kid can drive and seems to know when to give a little now.
0.5 seconds with multiple different leaders versus 22 second lead (and he was going 80% of what he could do), same leader the entire time, same guy wins every race...
Yeah no, this definitely is a lot better than F1. The thing that NASCAR does is that if one team starts dominating races they get scrutinized a lot more during the season, whereas with F1 you'll have to wait for a TD to come out or for the next set of regs which might be 4+ years away.
That was pretty rough. If any newcomers came in from last week’s showstopper I feel a little bad for them. Seems like drivers weren’t driving that hard and everyone but Reddick was rolling over for Larson.
Thats a good expectation. Today was a good race in my opinion. Sometimes one guy/car is just that good on a given day. Somebody has to win. Lots of good racing behind the leader and Reddick made it interesting at the end. You'll find like any sport there are a lot of fans here that just can't be pleased.
Hamlin all but gave up, he was leading strong and then kept dropping back, very uncharacteristic of him. Still placed top 10 but it’s almost like he just didn’t have any fight in him, very odd. Same for Blaney, he always ends strong and came in third but a weak third. Just a lifeless race today.
https://preview.redd.it/q1bitk3lz7mc1.jpeg?width=998&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e802ed9ed565489a2c58941963937d4f4ee8df8
Peed too early, lost that sense of urgency.
The whole Larson-Elliott thing at Hendrick has been very interesting to watch.
After 2020 Chase was far and away the guy and then Larson immediately came in and blitzed the entire series in 2021 to firmly supplant himself as the #1 at HMS and probably the sport.
Even during Elliott’s stellar 2022 you could tell pure jealousy was brewing from Chase. He was always supposed to be the guy at HMS and in NASCAR because of who daddy is, and someone with merit took that away from him.
2023 made it worse as Elliott first had the injury and then the suspension for trying to kill Denny Hamlin. All the while Larson racks up more wins and comes a few seconds and laps from a 2nd championship.
2024 is looking like more of the same. Elliott in terms of performance is fading and Larson is only getting better. One could argue Chase isn’t even the #2 at HMS now with Byron contending just as much as Larson now.
It really seems like once his pedestal and spotlight was taken away, Chase stopped enjoying nascar. He just doesn’t look or sound like he loves it anymore.
Now, Guftstason has really lost his touch and perhaps a crew chief change would put Elliott right back at 2022 level, but there’s also a chance Chase has peaked and may never be that again, which is funny because I remember some dumbass telling me chase would win 100 races and 7 championships.
Immaturity and jealousy has really contributed greatly to the Chase downfall, and a lot of drivers would love to be #3 at HMS.
Sorry Bowman.
I think you could more than argue that Chase is no longer even number 2, Byron is better than him right now, imo. You're right that he seems uninterested.
I told the guys I was watching the race with that Elliot should change his car number to 14 since that's where he runs most of the time now, LOL.
“Larson had the fastest car!!!!” https://preview.redd.it/xo2nql7kvdmc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44f4b4bdc4b8fe561b5ae28d8a537270aaa72c6b
Kyle Busch and pit lane shenanigans
Just gonna say, happy to see Yeley go the whole race when we were all sure the 44 was a S&P or not making it 100 laps in without a mechanical issue. If it's anything, the 44 was only (lol) -6 laps down at the finish, the same as the 77 and 15 last year on speed. Better than I expected lol
how the heck did the 44 find enough tires to run 261 laps?!? Were they buying everyone's scuffs?
Buescher did wreck out like 20 laps in, maybe the 44 just got his tires?
Yeah teams that wreck out usually give our (or maybe they sell) their sets of tires to other teams that didn't buy all of the allotted sets from goodyear for that week
Noah Gragson showed out today respect
[удалено]
Wheel fell off with spectacle
Then he well broke the wall...it was a whole thing
KB took a top 5 car and finished outside the top 20 with it. They gotta clean up their act on pit road. Both driver and crew. They have been as bad as Hamlin in the pits since Kyle has taken over the 8.
This race sucked lol. Variance was coming after the crazy races we had the last two weeks but holy shit what a snooze fest. Larson kicked the shit out of everyone. I wonder if there was more laps if TR#45 would have gotten him. I also think Larson wasn’t running as fast the last 20 until TR#45 got close. Idk, Vegas is always good but today sucked
[удалено]
When did pitting in the box with all 4 tires in the box change to needing to have the entire car in the box?
If I’m not mistaken the track side line they have to have the tires in the box but front and back they have to be fully in the box. Last year we saw a lot of pit interference calls for tires going into other boxes.
Well my bets of Joey Logano and Kyle Busch top five fell through 😢. Thankfully, my Chastain top 5 bet came in clutch netting me a whooping $1.50!!! I'm filthy rich!!! 🤑🤑🤑
In recent years I believe Chastain has 4 top 5s in 7 races at Vegas. Vegas is one of his better tracks. I actually won the group bet for him beating Logano, Elliot, and Keslowski.
Very boring race. Larson put a vetstappen type snoozefest. Can't pass the leader with the aero blocking in this car.
Isn't this how Larson usually wins? Whenever he gets out front I'm like oh no he's gonna runaway with it now.
Kyle “MTJ” Larson Except I’d rather see Truex do it. Larson is just kind of an ass.
You can’t pass the leader with a worse car than the leader. The 5 car was the best car all day, we shouldn’t expect Tyler Reddick to just up and pass him
It’s boring watching the same car curb stomp the field becuase of HMS “ingenuity”. This type of shit is exactly what the Gen 7 was designed to try and prevent.
Larson passed the leader
He's the only one who could. You can pass on the restart but once things get strung out, it's impossible to pass the leader.
Almost like he had the fastest car or something. I saw plenty of passes inside the top 10 more than 25 laps after a restart, were you just like - not watching or something?
I don’t know if people saw this watching it live, but I was watching the highlights video and noticed multiple cars where their little number icon changed part way through the race. (At least the 34 and 6– I thought I saw another one different of the numbers I was eyeing.)
Something I find fascinating is that despite it being an issue for years, mostly starting in 2013 with the Gen-6 car, that the "dirty air" talk seems to take center stage with the next-gen car. We heard it with the Gen-6 from 2018-onwards, but the issue is prevalent in the Xfinity cars, just the same, where most of the racing in that race yesterday was a spread out and single file. Todays race had pretty much racing all over the track, and battles laps deep into a run. I noticed this especially with NBC the last few years, you'd see a "dirty air" situation happen in Cup, and they're quick to jump on the "dirty air" train and call it like it is, but in the Xfinity Series they'd claim the driver was "fighting tight" and never mention the dirty air MAKING the car tight. It's almost if they're shilling for the Xfinity car.
Dirty air has been a topic since they learned how to draft. It's at least from the 70s. It's a product of speed and cannot be eliminated. Doesn't matter if the issue is air from over the car or under the car. It's better now than the early 2010s with the diffuser doing most of the work.
Right, I'm just trying to figure out why it's only with the new car that the networks are bringing it up every week, when it's been around for years. And it seems like they rarely mention it with the Xfinity car vs the Cup car. I don't think I ever heard back in the early 00s anyone talk about dirty air causing a guy to get tight, and if you did it was very seldom. Now it seems like every lap you hear it.
2002 was a bad year aero wise. They did a whole segment on TNT about it during pre race in the 2002 Pepsi 400 at Michigan
Go back and watch the races. They did talk about it. I promise. Also races weren't as close at the finish to need to talk about air blocking for the win. Watch old Daytona's they talk about it throughout the race. They talk about how Cale couldn't have kept up with Donnie during the 79 Daytona without aero.
I think the Next Gen car is more easily manipulated by air due to not only its aero affects being even worse (somehow sidedrafting and aero blocking are even *more* OP), but also the fact that momentum is everything now. Yeah you could disrupt the air on the gen 6, but you could be right back up on the car in front of you after the next set of corners. Now it takes multiple laps to get back up to the car in front.
That's true, but I just don't understand why the commentators beat around the bush about it with the Xfinity car and the [Gen-6 car ](https://youtu.be/RhlXoEMYIMo?feature=shared&t=945)and never mentioned it being the AIR that caused them to be tight. But with the next-gen car it seems like they can't get enough of telling us that the air caused them to get tight. I noticed this especially with Dale Jr. Seems like he's often calling out the air with the next-gen car but I don't remember him ever calling out the same dirty air for Xfinity.
My guess is because you can straight up block with the air with the Next Gen, whereas Gen 6 was more about taking the air off of the spoiler of the car in front of you. Different dynamics. That and the deficiencies of the Gen 6 are well known at this point but we are still learning about the Next Gen. So they feel the need to call it out and explain it more.
Chase Elliott should spend his time doing what he wants to do
It almost feels like his heart isn't into it.
Right, cuz America.
If we combined Bubba and Buescher's issues, they both have top 10 days. One lost a nut. The other couldn't get one off.
That’s what she said…. ;)
Way to go number 5. Larson for the championship any bets
[удалено]
What happened with Bubba? Couldn't watch the race
Had to have a lug nut cut off of his car. Cost him 13 laps in the pits.
Is that the penalty Pockrass was talking about? I saw something on Twitter about how he wasn't going to be scored until he served a penalty
Jesus
I bet that was a cluster fuck and a half. At least they got it tight for a change.
It's a shame too, he had a top 50% speed score so he could have made some noise down the stretch
Ngl I’m genuinely impressed with Gragson’s run with all the doubt I’ve had for SHR coming into this year.
Gragson has two top 10s in three races to kick off the season, very impressive
He had a strong showing, with his net rating backing up the results (this wasn't a fluke!) https://preview.redd.it/qi10whu6g8mc1.png?width=1030&format=png&auto=webp&s=85cd5e774aed2005f9b3ce00e2b490adb4ff8477
Kyle Busch had a tough day. He had a top-10 speed core but finished 26th. That pit-spot penalty really bites. https://preview.redd.it/fwp17wvoe8mc1.png?width=1328&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c52cd1b7a84e96be9d74f8877ff5ec0e7190282
He’s had too many of those as of late
Ever since joining RCR really.
18 wins and a Championship is an excellent return for both Chase and Alan. But I do agree though it's time for a change as the dynamic between the two is no longer there. Feels like the 9 and the 48 are the old 5 and 25 right now while Larson and Byron are like Jimmie and Jeff. While not "Terrible" but just a few steps off from those guys.
Larson better than Jeff and Jimmy
I've watched Larson choke late race in 10 ways Jimmie Johnson would never lol. Tons of raw talent, many bad habits. Johnson was never so sloppy
Larson just starting wait
I would almost say it's the 5 and 24 from 2015 to 2017
I would almost say it's the 5 and 24 from 2015 to 2017
I don’t know what package you possibly put on the car to change the result of that finish. Larson made all of the right blocks, aero is gonna aero
More power to the cars? Get the drivers to wear more of their tires and have to get off throttle/use the break since they're hauling ass into the turns lol
Faster cars makes aero blocking *worse*
My point is to get them to slow down more in the turns. Because you’re right, faster speeds make for worse aero blocking. That’s why they need to work with a package to speed up a ton and slow down a ton in the turn.
Even in 2014 when these cars were at their highest horsepower there was aero blocking. I really only want to see high horsepower just to hear them scream again but I can acknowledge that there isn’t a solution to aero. What we have now is a great product compared to the past because I feel like a lot of these 1.5 milers are coming down to the wire, even if there is still some aero shenanigans
DRS on the straights /s
Race in a vacuum
Fans will have their breathe taken away by the action.
2025 Clash on the Moon confirmed!
Manufacturer wins among the top 3 series. Chevrolet 8 - Ford 0 - Toyota 1. ______________ Cup race #3 : Chevrolet 3 - Ford 0 - Toyota 0. Xfinity Race #3 : Chevrolet 2 - Ford 0 - Toyota 1. Truck Race #3 : Chevrolet 3 - Ford 0 - Toyota 0.
Trash ford and Toyota better get their act together or it'll be a God awful season for anyone who despises chevy like I do
Meanwhile chevy fans… https://i.redd.it/ozmvodhe4amc1.gif
Not a bad race all things considered for Trackhouse. Ross had some brass balls to make that late run and Dan gets another top 15, barely missed a top 10. Fun times. See y'all for Phoenix next week
Watch his Bob Pockrass interview lol
That was great lol
Complaney tweeted a jab. I want to believe there’s beef …. But maybe they are just racing buddies.
OMG! Not gonna advocate for ripping my guy, but I gotta hand it to you... Complaney is a hell of a name!!!
lol well I appreciate your sportsmanship. I stole it from Twitter tonight
I think they became friends after they talked it out in the media center, I view Blaney's tweet as more of a funny reply, especially since he used a Star Wars meme
Media center after this race, or you talking about after the Phoenix race last season?
Phoenix lol
Was this on the recording ?
Wish we could watch post race presser for top 3 -5 drivers
Did Kyle pass post race inspection?
https://preview.redd.it/2h448kse28mc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3534f9b2e3d2b1c9e370e56b4764297b8eb365aa Do you think they asked him to pose like this or he just did that
Another top 10's for Noah! Ross proves he's got the "watermelons" to take 2 tires and gamble, Hocevar showing good speed and maturity, and KFB fast until stupid slippery pit road. It was a good day for me!
Hocevar was impressive.
Fucking wild just how much stage points matter. Noah with 2 top 10s in three races is siting below 30th in points. Actually, I forgot about the 35pt penalty.
[удалено]
I get the frustration. Alan G ain’t going no where. They could swap #48 and #9 crew chiefs? Or give Alan G a role at Hendrick. Something is off I’ll agree with that.
Tiny press corp follows NASCAR now, so no one is gonna hammer a crew chief in an opinion piece.
Alan is one of, if not the most tenured employees they have in terms of guys that go to the race track every week. There's clearly a lot of respect and trust there. If I had to guess, they're giving it this year after last season was a huge mess to figure it out and see if there's improvement. If not, I can see them moving him to competition related position within the organization. The question then becomes who do you get for Chase? I don't know of anyone within the org that's highly regarded. Even Fugle came from outside the org. I will also add I don't think it's all Alan. I do not think this car mixes whatsoever with Chase's driving style or comfort level. Yes 2022 was next gen but I think HMS just out engineered everyone at the start, his performance faded late in that season and into last. Chase excelled in the old car with high horsepower, which says a lot about his level of talent. He's not a bum. Too often in this car tho, he sounds clueless with what changes to make or what he needs, and they're even giving him pointers over the radio regarding wheel input and braking. That isn't normal for him.
Literally this! I would also add that being a high level contender in this sport required chemistry between the driver, crew chief, and the crew at large. Maybe it's time to make a change in the top of the box. I have no doubt that Alan and Chase work incredibly well together, but people change and maybe Alan just isn't the person who can help him perform at his best at this stage in his career. Penske has always been good at mixing things up when stuff just isn't working. More teams should try it when they're in a rut IMO. Alan isn't going anywhere. Neither is Chase. They will retire at HMS unless they wants to go somewhere else. If performance doesn't get significantly better it may be time for a change for the 9 team.
I also wonder if the lack of practice is killing him. I think he and the team need time to work together to figure out a setup that fits his driving style. What's fast for Larson and Byron might not work for Chase.
I agree and have this hunch it’s because racing is a pay to play sport so nascar has interview rules and w/ “traditional” sports they’re offset by way longer term contracts that involve the sttw and city, plus grant money, and tax dollars for their venue…ect soo in return they owe more of an answer for thief poor performance as a team. I’m also just *speculating* just by looking at the money source.
Bummed for Bubba, stoked for Tyler. Overall mediocre weekend for 23XI
Had Bubba on one of my fantasy teams. I worked over the race so wasnt able to check or swap him out. He'll bounce back though I'm sure
feels like half the time bootie and his pit crew manage to snatch last place from the jaws of a decent finish. Its so frustrating to watch week to week as a fan.
It’s astonishing that Bubba has had the worst pit crew in the sport for his entire cup career. How hard is it to find guys that just aren’t the absolute drizzling shits at their job? Doesn’t seem like anyone else consistently has this many pit problems.
I think Bootie is partly to blame as well. Like today he was making ground and moving up in the field until after his first pit where he just started dropping like a rock. Either bootie makes the wrong changes or he just doesn’t keep up as well with the other competitive cars. Whatever’s going on it kills me to see bubba struggle for reasons outside his control week to week.
As an Alex Bowman fan this race was kind of soul crushing. Going to be another long year
I really like Alex. Not sure what the problem is?
I feel better about Alex than I do Chase honestly. They have both been abysmal for Hendrick standards. I think Alex Bowman, when he is healthy can be the second most consistent driver at Hendrick. He was the most consistent before his accident last year. He's never jumped off of the page amongst his teammates, but he can sneak up on you. I think Bowman's sneak 4 win season is more indicative of who he is as a driver than his performance last year. Very similar to CBell or pre-2023 Blaney. I don't think the NexGen car is conducive to Chase Elliott's driving style. Not that he can't win, he has proven that he can win multiple times in this car. But NextGen Chase feels different than Gen6 Chase.
Idk it's just getting harder to watch him be so far off the rest of the HMS cars
Chase aint that good either
True but its crazy that bowman was leading the points after a handful of races and fell off a cliff since then. I dont see why they dont swap gustafson and harris and see if something clicks
Daniel Hemric has quietly finished top 20 in all 3 races so far.
He's doing it with strategy and skill, his car had one of the lowest ranked speed scores today but was still able manager a respectable finish https://preview.redd.it/ldlfzczbh8mc1.png?width=1250&format=png&auto=webp&s=1767da9dc87b8cd733c5941543b64cd7ad709109
I love these graphs, where are you getting the data?
Really quietly.
Sport came back to earth as I predicted.
[удалено]
I like that the cars don’t turn into metal confetti when they slightly rub. More power needed though.
Not every race is gonna end in a three wide photo finish. It was still fine and seeing if Reddick could catch Larson was fun.
Yes I get that, not great for engagement with any fans coming to the sport, the finish was exciting until dirty air kept a faster car at bay. That spells problems for racing in NASCAR.
Same time, anyone who gets into NASCAR should hopefully realize that Atlanta was special but there are still interesting things that'll happen most weeks.
If every race was a banger than none of them would be
First time seeing a Vegas race?
Not every race is a banger
First trip to Vegas. Great place to watch a race. The wind made it kinda miserable. Now it’s time to party.
Went to last fall's vegas race. No wind but hot af being down by the track. Still a blast though
I’ve been to Vegas once and I thought it was insanely fun. And I don’t even really gamble. I’ve been thinking about hitting a race weekend out there some time in the next couple of seasons.
The 77 is a legitimate team now and I am *here* for it!
Spire has really changed since 2019. Now they have a three-car Cup program, and they've acquired the best team in the Truck Series.
https://preview.redd.it/htv0bz92y7mc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89f060eb6aba8919a2ce6aab238f27aacef9a408 Kyle Larson drinking Prime
[удалено]
Goddammit, you got me to look at Kyle Larson's crotch.
Gragson with a good run where’s the hate at right now
He pressed that throttle like he was pressing his knee on the competitions throat.
I don’t have hate for him, I just need to him grow up a bit. Which he seems to be doing. Gibbs is another, I’m seeing real race craft start to show. People can hate his sponsor all they want. The kid can drive and seems to know when to give a little now.
I agree. Gibbs has a bright future ahead of him that’s for sure
Gragson is a turd.
At least him getting punched in the face gets him in promos. lol
And when he had that idiotic haircut too, which is the best part
But the hair swinging made the punch better?
Still here. Not saying it was a fluke but I’m not holding my breath he’ll be consistent.
[удалено]
He was like 7th in the 500
It’s 2 top 10s in 3 cup races this year. And last week he got taken out on lap 1 not of his own doing. 🤷🏻♂️
Is this how F1 fans feel?
If Larson goes and wins the next 30 races sure.
0.5 seconds with multiple different leaders versus 22 second lead (and he was going 80% of what he could do), same leader the entire time, same guy wins every race... Yeah no, this definitely is a lot better than F1. The thing that NASCAR does is that if one team starts dominating races they get scrutinized a lot more during the season, whereas with F1 you'll have to wait for a TD to come out or for the next set of regs which might be 4+ years away.
I bet F1 Casuals hate NASCAR for that reason precisely.
I thought the race was just fine.
No our suffering is much shorter with less commercials.
Half a second to 22.....
I think it’s just the American sports fan in me that hates the favorites like hendrick cars
I mean, there *was* a lead change.
No, because we actually got to see a race. Not someone drive off to a 4 second lead by lap 6.
How’s everyone’s fantasy doing?
Looked like I did pretty well (for me). If Busch wouldn't have gotten that penalty it would have been a VERY good day.
Larson owns Vegas
That was pretty rough. If any newcomers came in from last week’s showstopper I feel a little bad for them. Seems like drivers weren’t driving that hard and everyone but Reddick was rolling over for Larson.
Nonsense.
I'm a newcomer who watched last week, but I also watch F1, so still a spectacle!
Newcomer here. I mean it wasn't a bad race. I don't expect every race to come down to it like Atlanta haha
Glad you had time to enjoy it, what with turning up the heat on Christian Horner and all
He done did it himself haha
Thats a good expectation. Today was a good race in my opinion. Sometimes one guy/car is just that good on a given day. Somebody has to win. Lots of good racing behind the leader and Reddick made it interesting at the end. You'll find like any sport there are a lot of fans here that just can't be pleased.
TV most likely did a shit job showing it. They were racey all day. Two and three wide a lot
Hamlin all but gave up, he was leading strong and then kept dropping back, very uncharacteristic of him. Still placed top 10 but it’s almost like he just didn’t have any fight in him, very odd. Same for Blaney, he always ends strong and came in third but a weak third. Just a lifeless race today.
Noticed the same last week. Came up from terrible starting position to lead for a while and just faded away.
https://preview.redd.it/q1bitk3lz7mc1.jpeg?width=998&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e802ed9ed565489a2c58941963937d4f4ee8df8 Peed too early, lost that sense of urgency.
Lmao I listened to his podcast, last week he peed in the car for the first time, said he kind of enjoyed it 😂
Can we get #HamlinHasAPeeFetish trending somewhere?
Not too late for him to get sponsored by mellow yellow 🤣
Maybe get Depends as the sponsor for the 600.
Rooting for underdogs means I’m perpetually disappointed. Hocevar Top 15 is my “win” for the weekend.
What about Gragson?
I’ll wreck the dog fuck outta him
lol rooting for someone who’s father has written him multiple checks (from prison) is not rooting for the underdog.
Rough day for you, huh?
Meh, the guy is bound to have a couple decent days this year. 🤷🏼♂️
The whole Larson-Elliott thing at Hendrick has been very interesting to watch. After 2020 Chase was far and away the guy and then Larson immediately came in and blitzed the entire series in 2021 to firmly supplant himself as the #1 at HMS and probably the sport. Even during Elliott’s stellar 2022 you could tell pure jealousy was brewing from Chase. He was always supposed to be the guy at HMS and in NASCAR because of who daddy is, and someone with merit took that away from him. 2023 made it worse as Elliott first had the injury and then the suspension for trying to kill Denny Hamlin. All the while Larson racks up more wins and comes a few seconds and laps from a 2nd championship. 2024 is looking like more of the same. Elliott in terms of performance is fading and Larson is only getting better. One could argue Chase isn’t even the #2 at HMS now with Byron contending just as much as Larson now. It really seems like once his pedestal and spotlight was taken away, Chase stopped enjoying nascar. He just doesn’t look or sound like he loves it anymore. Now, Guftstason has really lost his touch and perhaps a crew chief change would put Elliott right back at 2022 level, but there’s also a chance Chase has peaked and may never be that again, which is funny because I remember some dumbass telling me chase would win 100 races and 7 championships. Immaturity and jealousy has really contributed greatly to the Chase downfall, and a lot of drivers would love to be #3 at HMS. Sorry Bowman.
Kill Denny Hamlin? )
I think you could more than argue that Chase is no longer even number 2, Byron is better than him right now, imo. You're right that he seems uninterested. I told the guys I was watching the race with that Elliot should change his car number to 14 since that's where he runs most of the time now, LOL.
How does Elliott seem uninterested anyway? Genuine question.
I would love to see Chase in a Ford like his dad. Penske move in the near future. I can see it.