Gas And Go: Episode 4

Welcome back to another edition of Gas and Go, the sister podcast to Over the Wall. It is Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009, I am your host Chris Smith, managing editor at RubbingsRacing.com.

Well, “The Franchise” has two big weeks in a row, “Smoke” does something that hasn’t been done in over 16 years and you get my take on the latest hot topics.

Over The Wall: Episode 8

Episode eight of “Over The Wall” is now available. Again all about NASCAR’s Cup series, we have a shortened show this week. This week we welcome back our esteemed panel, Myself, Chris Smith and Fluid Media’s Cameron Watson and Joe Magennis.

We start out talking about the race at Texas, and discuss the type of racing we are seeing across the board, as well as the dominance of the Hendrick organization, or should I say the Hendrick duo of Johnson/Gordon.

We also look at Dale Earnhardt Jr. and try to figure out where his head has been this season.

Finally we discuss the sponsorship problems with the number eight car as well as Allmendinger picking up sponsorship until September.

We also preview discussions for our show next week. We are going to talk about two major things. Should Cup drivers be allowed to drive in the lower tier series, and who exactly wears the black hats in NASCAR. So please enjoy and comment either here, Twitter or Facebook. We need your thoughts on these topics. Your comments will help drive future shows.

Does NASCAR Need Franchises To Survive?

Franchising according to theorists would help pull in sponsors, because there would only be 43 Franchised teams. This would mean nobody would go home at the end of qualifying on Fridays, and would also guarantee a full 43 car starting field. Then if a salary cap is applied on expenses (like in the NFL or NBA), the power at the top of the heap would be more evenly spread.

I could not disagree more.

Jeff Gordon: Not Going for Fifth Sprint Cup Championship

That’s it, I can’t bite my tongue any more.

Jeff Gordon is NOT going for his fifth Sprint Cup Championship! ARRRRGH!

Nobody else has the guts to say it, but I said it!

Jeff has four Winston Cup Championships and is going for his first Sprint Cup Championship. Two totally different accomplishments.

Food City 500: Surprising, Not Surprising

One short track down, and another right around the bend. Bristol was…well Bristol.

Although it’s now the “NEW” Bristol, and not the “OLD.”

By new, I mean there is less bumping and passing, and cars can actually pass on the outside.

Anyway, here are a few things I found “Surprising,” and “Not Surprising” following the Bristol weekend.

Mark Martin on Pole at Atlanta

Mark Martin becomes the second oldest driver to sit on the pole, second only to Harry Gantt. Not only this, but this is his 42nd career pole, moving him to 12th all-time, right behind “Rocket Man”, Ryan Newman. After fighting with his car for the first three races of the season, Martin gets to show his Hendrick chops and sit in the front spot. Kurt Busch gets the number 2 spot.

Edwards Flips at Pocono

Carl Edwards got to do his trademark backflip this past weekend at Pocono. This is Edward’s 4th victory of the year, but only three of them will count towards the bonus points in the chase. Recall earlier this year, he was found with an infraction and the penalty was to take away the bonus points from that race.

Johnson on Pole at Pocono 500

Back to back poles for Jimmie Johnson. He sits atop the grid at the big ole’ triangle. Let’s all hope that this weeks race is much better than last weeks.

Tires Steal Show at 15th Running of Brickyard

This year the true story is the Goodyear tires. With NASCAR having to throw that many competition cautions in one race is pretty ridiculous. 30+ laps of fuel and only 15-19 laps on their tires made this year’s event pretty bad…

Johnson Kisses the Bricks, Horrible Race

Jimmie Johnson became the second person to win the Brickyard 400 from the pole, but that was one of the worst races I have ever seen. I know that Goodyear and NASCAR was doing their best, but let’s face it, that many competition cautions in one race is ridiculous. I don’t want to discredit Johnson for his performance, because he was consistently one of the best racers on the track today, but I have to wonder what the result would have been if there had been a better playing field with the tire situation.