Forum Activity for @ernest-sutton

1 Ringy-Dingy, 2 Ringy-Dingies.... Nope, Joey Still Hasn't Called

Current NASCAR

I'm very sorry about Hamlin's injury - which will sideline him for at least six weeks..................always hate to see a racer get hurt (no matter who it is). I'm also sorry to see a very competitive JGR driver have to exit his driver's seat for the recovery period. Whether you like Hamlin or not, he has been amongst the most competitive of Cup drivers over the last several years.

Regarding the racing incident on the last lap - I didn't see anyone do anything which might be considered blatently wrong. Logano did push Hamlinhigh onthe track, eventually into the wall (which is not exactly clean racing), but I have seen many drivers crowd other drivers on the last lap to try to win the race. I don't think it would have worked anyway in this case, as I believe Kyle Busch had such a run off the last turn that he was going to win the race, regardless. I agree with his assessment in Victory Circle that if they had all stayed single-file, he would have finished third. It does appear as if there might have been a little retaliation on Denny's mind after he was pushed into the wall - again, last lap, and I can't say as I blame him for that.

I'm not sure I understand the Stewart/Logano confrontation.It appeared to me that Logano did what he should have done to keep from being passed and preserve his chances of having a good finish (and possibly a win). I will also say here that I am not a Logano fan and have been a Stewart fan for many years - just presenting my perception of the closing-lap racing which occurred.

Having said all that, NASCAR could not have scripted a better finish and after-raceskirmish to what has historically been one of the most boring Cup races on the schedule...................and, to their credit, issued no penalties or fines. The whole situation has set up an ideal scenario forMartinsville which NASCAR and the promoters will relish all the way to the bank.

Just thought I would put in my two-cents worth..........and wishing Denny a speedy recovery.

Sprint Unlimited

Current NASCAR

I agree that this new car seems to race a little better than the COT -we shouldsee better racing in the 500 than we've seen in recent years.......and I suppose you're right about NASCAR transforming into the entertainment business from the racing business - a sad thing for race fans, but it's all about the money these days. I still believe they took a good race (Bud Shootout) andgimmicked it into something resembling a side show. As I said before, they have that Allstar thing in Charlotte which should provide all the game show entertainment anyone would ever want to see on a race track.

Sprint Unlimited

Current NASCAR

Did anyone have the same impression of the Sprint Unlimited that I did?In my opinion, NASCAR - in its infinite wisdom - has takena decent race and tried to turn it into a another "professional wrestling" type show. What is the purpose of "segmenting" a race........or allowing fans to vote on starting positions and whether or not to eliminate a driver from the race?The "Allstar" race (in Charlotte)is a "show" (ala P.T. Barnum) - the Bud Shootout was a race. I don't know who at NASCAR comes up with these brainstorms, but as I've always said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

updated by @ernest-sutton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

Danica On The Road Course

Stock Car Racing History

She did give a "nice" interview - but it occurs to me that I liked it better in the old days when drivers could really say what is on their minds without having to worry about incurring the wrath of the NASCAR "storm troopers". I suspect she had other thoughts which she managed to keep under wraps.

Danica On The Road Course

Stock Car Racing History

I don't know if anyone has commented on this yet, but I felt compelled to give my opinion on Danica's NW race at Elkhart Lake. Actually, I find myself dining on a little bit of crow today - as I have been one of those who has not had complimentary things to say about Danica Patrick, and my opinions have had nothing to do with gender. I just never thought I was seeing much in the way of real racing talent whenever I saw her on the track. The race I saw her drive yesterday is causing me to revisit those early opinions. That was the best racing performance I have seen from her and it was against some very, very good road racing talents. She even exhibited aggressiveness at times, which I like. People can say what they want about Danica, but the girl does have some real road racing talent. The learning curve might be progressing a little slower on the oval tracks - time will tell - but I will be watching those efforts a little more closely now. It's a shame what happened to her on the last lap of yesterday's race - I won't pass judgment on anyone for that incident, but until that happened, she was a very solid top 5 all day long.

updated by @ernest-sutton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

General

As many races as I've been to over the last 60 or so years, I was never much of an autograph hound.............................but I do have a Richard Petty autograph.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

General

I'm just joining in here, folks - neither agreeing or disagreeing.A thoughtthat goes through my mind, though,is I wonder if anyone would know who was being referred to if I called someone Robert Johnson, Bob Johnson, or Glenn Johnson. I'm not even sure I would know who I was talking about.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

General

Why does it take two of you to carry a quart jar of moonshine?

Cotton Owens

Stock Car Racing History

NASCAR racing has lost one of the legends of the sport. I'm happy that he was selected and inducted into the Hall of Fame before his passing - and happy that he was able to watch the induction ceremony on TV with his family. I saw him race many times as a driver and saw many successful results from cars he put on the track. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans. RIP, Cotton.

JR'S TAKE ON THE MODERN DAY TALK OF "CHANGE" with a twist

Stock Car Racing History

I have expressed my opinions of the NASCAR changes which have occurred over the last 10-11 years in earlier posts. I believe that the changes which have increased driver safety are obviously a good thing. However, there have been many other changes which, in my opinion, have caused many loyal veteran fans to lose interest in the sport. I believe this is one of the causes of many empty seats in the grandstands and declining TV ratings. The sport of stock car racing has become more boring to watch, both from the grandstands and on TV. I do not profess to be a marketing expert or any kind of expert on NASCAR racing, but it ain't what it used to be. I believe the "Chase" has been a big mistake - as it isn't representative of a full season of racing. I believe a seasonal championship should represent the whole season - not just the last 10 races. There are other changes, as well and to a lesser degree, in the sport whichI havedisagreed with - such as the "top 35", the "lucky dog",the COT and NASCAR's proprietary interest in it,seemingly unequal punishments and/or fines for similar offenses. It seems to me that the current NASCAR administration has made changes with the objective being similar to what IROC racing was - for the most part, boring and possibly the reason that IROC no longer exists. Having said all of that, the bottom line is that corporate money has taken over the sport..................and now it's all about the MONEY - very sad situation compared to what it used to be - but we all know the old saying, "Money talks, BS walks".