On the Loose Side
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kenny Bruce
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This ’n that from Talladega
Apr
26
TALLADEGA, Ala. – A few stray notes after a semi-quiet day at Talladega Superspeedway:
• Tony Stewart will no doubt eventually grow tired of talking about where he may or may not be headed, but for now the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers seems to be enjoying the attention.
Of all the things he said Friday when discussing his possible departure from JGR, perhaps the most telling was that during his last contract negotiations with the team, Stewart says he “took a lesser deal” to stay put.
Having won a championship and contended for several others, Stewart wasn’t looking to start over.
Does that mean this time he would be willing to begin anew?
Probably not. But then again, did anyone really expect Dale Earnhardt Jr. to leave DEI?
• Joe Nemechek, Jeremy Mayfield and Elliott Sadler have each won three poles at Talladega, most among active drivers. None have a Cup win at the 2.66-mile track, but Nemechek does have a Nationwide (then known as Busch) Series win here.
• It’s hard to believe, but Greg Biffle has never finished in the top-10 in a Cup race at Talladega. And the Roush Fenway Racing driver’s 23rd-place finish in the fall race here last year was his best since a 13th in 2005.
• Speaking of Roush Fenway guys ... Jamie McMurray has finished 37th in the last two fall races at the track. But on the bright side, he’s finished fifth in the last three spring events.
McMurray was in the rumor mill earlier this year when his No. 26 Ford momentarily dropped out of the top 35, but he has since rebounded and enters Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 27th in owner points.
“I predicted initially that there would be winners and losers with the Car of Tomorrow,” car owner Jack Roush said Friday. “Jamie has struggled mightily with the loose-in characteristic of the car. We tested him; we actually had [teammate] Carl [Edwards] go to Nashville with him. They’ve both driven the same car on the same day. Jamie has done everything that he knows he can do and everything that I would expect him to do to try to get himself to a point where he can be as effective as Carl is and as Matt [Kenseth] is and Greg is. That hasn’t happened yet.”
Regardless of what others may think, it sounds like McMurray has the blessing of Roush.
“We do have a long-term relationship commitment with Jamie that we intend to honor and we have one with the sponsor as well," Roush said. "Although there is a certain amount of angst and unhappiness about the fact that we’re not able to do what we want to do right now, I have every hope and expectation that we will and it’s going to be fine.”
• Tony Stewart will no doubt eventually grow tired of talking about where he may or may not be headed, but for now the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers seems to be enjoying the attention.
Of all the things he said Friday when discussing his possible departure from JGR, perhaps the most telling was that during his last contract negotiations with the team, Stewart says he “took a lesser deal” to stay put.
Having won a championship and contended for several others, Stewart wasn’t looking to start over.
Does that mean this time he would be willing to begin anew?
Probably not. But then again, did anyone really expect Dale Earnhardt Jr. to leave DEI?
• Joe Nemechek, Jeremy Mayfield and Elliott Sadler have each won three poles at Talladega, most among active drivers. None have a Cup win at the 2.66-mile track, but Nemechek does have a Nationwide (then known as Busch) Series win here.
• It’s hard to believe, but Greg Biffle has never finished in the top-10 in a Cup race at Talladega. And the Roush Fenway Racing driver’s 23rd-place finish in the fall race here last year was his best since a 13th in 2005.
• Speaking of Roush Fenway guys ... Jamie McMurray has finished 37th in the last two fall races at the track. But on the bright side, he’s finished fifth in the last three spring events.
McMurray was in the rumor mill earlier this year when his No. 26 Ford momentarily dropped out of the top 35, but he has since rebounded and enters Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 27th in owner points.
“I predicted initially that there would be winners and losers with the Car of Tomorrow,” car owner Jack Roush said Friday. “Jamie has struggled mightily with the loose-in characteristic of the car. We tested him; we actually had [teammate] Carl [Edwards] go to Nashville with him. They’ve both driven the same car on the same day. Jamie has done everything that he knows he can do and everything that I would expect him to do to try to get himself to a point where he can be as effective as Carl is and as Matt [Kenseth] is and Greg is. That hasn’t happened yet.”
Regardless of what others may think, it sounds like McMurray has the blessing of Roush.
“We do have a long-term relationship commitment with Jamie that we intend to honor and we have one with the sponsor as well," Roush said. "Although there is a certain amount of angst and unhappiness about the fact that we’re not able to do what we want to do right now, I have every hope and expectation that we will and it’s going to be fine.”
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Poll Position
Who should get credit for the win in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway?
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