Forum Activity for @w-g-gruner

At some point enough is too much

Current NASCAR

Tell ya what, the Southside guy's were hard core. Had more than one drink leaning on Sonny's place on Broad street, forgotten the name now, but the tales and laughs, not!

At some point enough is too much

Current NASCAR

Seems like I remember a race at the old Richmond fairgrounds track when Buddy Baker had run his mouth about Sonny, something like he wasn't good enough to run with the big boy's, smiling yet Dave? Yup, it didn't take too many laps before Buddy for some reason found the wall. IF I'm correct Buddy did offer some kind of retraction later on. I can't remember if they included the sportsman cars in that race or if Emanuel had his GN car there.

At some point enough is too much

Current NASCAR

Tim, I'm shocked and amazed, someone that seemingly finds the Waltrip brothers more disruptive than I do. By the way, I thought it was my griping that got Mikey added to the toxic mix! walt

At some point enough is too much

Current NASCAR

I fully realize that my chosen topic has been beaten to death but, I just need to say this.

To set the tone, I find no enjoyment in either of the Waltrip brothers being a part of any announce team, none! DW has gotten so biased that even FOX and NASCAR should be tiring of it. I was flat out stupefied last night when RS took Danica out and she in turn took out Brad and what does DW say? Oh his front wheel locked up and took him into the wall! WHAT? That was one of the dumbest, most biased, statements to dribble out of his mouth yet. I guess he's made it his personal rule to say absolutely nothing that would detract from Danica being the NASCAR superstar he believes she is. Stupidly he never corrected his intentional gaff even after several reruns of the incident. Oddly enough Danica was silent on the radio instead of blasting her bf as she has so many others. Then there was Brad being a stand up guy taking blame when it wasn't on him.

That was just one of the off base remarks by this expert annalist. His continuous remarks on how he knows what every driver is thinking, his long list of "my buddies", his I drove it this way that guy isn't doing it right, I wouldn't do it that way, forcing our attention on the top three positions, sometimes letting us know that there actually may be a third and fourth place has gotten really old. The constant talking down to us as if we know nothing about the tracks, about the cars, has put me near my breaking point. I've been in and around this sport for about 50 years and can no longer get out to a race so all I've got is the TV. It's pathetic that FOX can only find DW and Mikey, Chris Meyers, John Roberts, to call a race. There are so many available experts to better the broadcasts. Why aren't they being utilized? I've stopped watching the truck races which are really my preference of the three series just because of Mikey's over talking everyone else and his screeching voice. I think it's plain to see that the combination currently in the booth has affected Mike Joy's work. It's past time for the broadcasts to update the announce teams especially when you have available people like Ricky Craven, Ray Evernham, DJ, and others that have proven themselves. Why was Buddy Baker never made a part of a broadcast team? I never have figured that one out.

DW, Mikey, Roberts, Meyers, Brad D., Rusty, Rutlege, bring nothing to the shows for the serious fans. Falling ticket sales are due to less than stellar races and the gigantic costs involved in attending. Fallen TV ratings are a product of the broadcast and are simple to fix.

After 50 years I'm just about on the edge of giving up. The one good thing I can say about FOX is that they are using Hammond correctly, putting him where there is so much noise that he can't be heard.

updated by @w-g-gruner: 01/06/17 10:58:32PM

Rick Hendrick wealthy?

Current NASCAR

I was sitting there channel surfing last night and came across the "Discovering America" channel on a show about "Super Yachts" so I stuck around to see all the things that were better than my 14' skiff.

Well here comes Mr Hendricks yacht named "Wheels". She comes in at 164 feet with every component built with total redundancy, yup two of everything. twin 2200 hp main engines which I think I'm correct in saying that they were $400,000 each. Her stern hides a power launch and a couple of wave riders with a crane to lift and lower them over the stern. I think I'm correct in that she carries 16,000 gallons of fuel. Her cost, $28,750,000.

Going back to the redundancy thing, as "Wheels" makes her travels she is joined by a 90' yacht (may be off a few feet there) named "Real Wheels". Where one goes so does the other. Redundancy is the name of the game for Mr H. I think I heard right when they said that the annual cost of "Real Wheels" is over $7,000,000, but that could have been for both. In either case you just don't put them on a trailer and go home. Both are based in Florida. Of course I might mention his own planes to get him to his yachts.

We know of Mr H's car dealerships, his race teams, his sojourns to the classic car auctions and his collection of cars, so we are pretty well aware that he has a bit of wealth to stand on. But, these yachts kind of move him to a different class of wealth in my mind.

Then too, you might have to ask yourself just how much of all that wealth he'd trade to have back those lost in that horrific plane crash. I think I'd have to say that he has paid dearly for all that he has today.

updated by @w-g-gruner: 02/08/17 07:58:15AM

Bobtail Danica? Nah... but Shawna Robinson Did... watch the video

Stock Car Racing History

It's kind of difficult for me to put Danica in the same class as Shawna. To me, who was there to see her close up, she was a racer, pure and simple. Danica hes neither the internal fortitude or desire that Shawna had.. Danica in the All Star race? ONLY because the voting was set up to where you could just keep on clicking click after click, never having to exit the site between votes. That's where the vote count was gathered. It certainly had nothing to do with talent or performance. The All Star race proved Danicant.

Mike Harmon Arrested; Charged in Theft of Jennifer Jo Cobb's Hauler

Current NASCAR

Sure seems to be a lot of broken deal's, contracts, around JJC. Add to this latest lets not forget the Rick Russell deal that JJC made certain it got national media attention by getting out of the car at the start of the race. Russell claimed then that JJC had no money as contracted to supply engines, etc. That she also ignored a court order to return the hauler to Novak. I just don't get the feel that this was a theft and that Harmon took it. I'm looking forward to getting the full story.

Tommy Ellis photo

Stock Car Racing History

Found the mag on ebay and bought it! Now if I can get a clear photo from Smyle I'll be in tall cotton. Thanks again

Tommy Ellis photo

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks much. Have sent a request to Smyle. Owe ya one Chase, you too Dave!

Tommy Ellis photo

Stock Car Racing History

Need some help from the old time historians. For years I've been looking for a copy of a photo that ran on the cover of the old "STOCKCAR RACING" magazine. I think it was at Daytona and it was Tommy Ellis on his side between A J Foyt and another car on the outside at speed.

Be happy to pay for a copy. Dave, Tim?

updated by @w-g-gruner: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM