2013 Nascar Silly Season

[MJ_N_09]

Truthfully, I don't feel much for Bodine. He was a complete disaster this year, same as Ron Hornaday Jr.

[gomick]

Time for those old blokes to move on - good crop of young drivers have come thru lately, especially those from the ARCA series...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Truthfully, I don't feel much for Bodine. He was a complete disaster this year, same as Ron Hornaday Jr.

Isn't that more because of bad car/team?

[MJ_N_09]

I would guess. Also,might have been why Max Gresham left the team midway through the year. They were not running well IIRC. They had better performance with Jason White last year.

[MJ_N_09]

Finally! New trucks look in well, in 2014...but just wanted to let everyone know that.

NASCAR working to change look for trucks by 2014: NCWTS series director Wayne Auton said on Tuesday's edition of SIRIUS/NASCAR Radio's "The Morning Drive" the sanctioning body was working with current truck manufacturers to possibly incorporate an updated look to the trucks in time for 2014. The move would follow similar updates in both the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series to give NASCAR vehicles more identity for fans to have better brand recognition with each manufacturer.(CBS Sports.com)(11-27-2012)

[The Original Instag8or]

I'd rather keep the old guard around while bringing in the next gen of talent. But since there are only so many spots on the grid, I'd gladly show those who start n park the way out.

[HJJ]

New ownership for Inception Motorsports: A new NASCAR team, Swan Racing, will take the track at Daytona International Speedway in February 2013. Led by NASCAR's newest team owner, Brandon Davis, Swan Racing will compete fulltime in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, racing the #30 Toyota driven by David Stremme. Davis, CEO of independent oil and gas company Swan Energy Inc., and a dirt-modified driver in the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) purchased the assets of Inception Racing earlier this year. "Swan Racing is here to race competitively every week  the days of starting and parking are over. I am confident that we are putting together the personnel to one day produce a championship contender," said Davis. Davis has tapped Steve Hmiel to be Swan Racing's director of competition. Hmiel is a veteran of the NASCAR garage area with over 35 years of experience as a crew chief, car chief and competition director. Swan Racing is located in Mooresville, N.C., and will get its horsepower from Triad Racing Technologies, a top engine builder. Swan Energy will be the primary sponsor on the #30 Toyota. Discussions with additional sponsors are underway and further sponsor announcements are expected early in 2013.(Swan Racing)(12-4-2012)

.

[MJ_N_09]

Thank god a start and park is now able to race. I can see them being able to run all the races with little, if not any, parking. As for contending for the championship, that's a long way off. Hopefully this Swan Energy isn't a scam or a bunch of liars, and that other companies like them take over or put their money into other teams that need it.

[Clive Brown]

Richard Childress Racing has signed a multi-year agreement with Brian Scott to be the driver of the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro for the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Scott, 24, of Boise, Idaho, has twice finished in the top 10 of the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings in three full seasons of competition. He finished eighth in 2011 and ninth this past year. He finished 14th and was runner-up in the series' rookie of the year standings in 2010. Phil Gould, car chief for the No. 2 team in 2012 and with previous experience at RCR as a car chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been promoted to crew chief for the team.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to drive the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the Nationwide Series," said Scott. "RCR has proven over the past 13 years that it can build and prepare winning cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and has for a variety of drivers. I just want to be the next name on that list. RCR has a rich tradition of winning races and championships at the highest level of our sport and I am excited about being a part of an organization, like theirs, that is committed to winning.
"Our goals for 2013 are going to be set at a high level and we are going to do everything within our power to achieve those goals. On a personal level I think I am going to fit in really well. Richard Childress and a lot of the people affiliated with RCR are avid outdoorsmen and that matches my background as well."


"We are thrilled to continue our support of Brian as he embarks on yet another successful year of racing," said Dan Scott, general manager of Shore Lodge. "The team at Richard Childress Racing has been fantastic to work with and we are honored to have them representing Shore Lodge and McCall with the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevy."


"Brian is a strong young talent and we look forward to him, Phil and the entire No. 2 Shore Lodge team adding their part to RCR's history of success in the NASCAR Nationwide Series," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The fact that Brian is an avid outdoorsman only makes it an even better fit. We're also proud to welcome Shore Lodge to our family of partners. The Scott family knows what it takes to create a tradition of excellence so we look forward to making our program a success both on the track and off."

And there's loads more of this nauseating PR guff. What it boils down to is that it's not how much talent you've got, it's how much you've got, period.

[gomick]

He ain't that bad a driver tho?

[Clive Brown]

He's always had good equipment, and to finish eighth and nineth in the NNS for the past two years when Cup drivers haven't been permitted to score points really isn't all that. Damnit, even Danica managed to finish tenth this year....

I may be wrong in this, but to me, he's probably a decent journeyman, but little more, and unlikely to progress to the Cup in a good ride on merit. We shall see!

[Jacques Rabbit]

He runs well, then he crashes.

If he could learn to avoid spinning and wrecking, he'd be a guy who could run right up there in NNS.

Cup material? Naah. But if you're Cup material, you don't sign with RCR, because you have two guys who will always be the priority ahead of you. He can make a decent career out of NNS and CWTS running. I don't blame him for doing what he wants to do and has the means to do.

I also don't blame Childress for taking the money. The focus is on Austin and Ty, and it should be. Scott is an upgrade from past pay drivers like JWT and Tim George, Jr. who have both been in RCR equipment, and I have a feeling the head-to-head with Scott and his teammate in the 33 car, Danica Patrick, will be more in his favor.

[Clive Brown]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

I have a feeling the head-to-head with Scott and his teammate in the 33 car, Danica Patrick, will be more in his favor.

Agreed- but to be fair, it really should be, given that he'll be in the same car and with the same crew chief for every race on the NNS schedule, whereas Danica will only be appearing sporadically in the #33 car.

By the way, congratulations, Jacques Rabbit; you have led me into defending Danica's reputation as a driver!

[fieldodreams79]

NASCSR K&N Pro East Series will provide a support race at PLM next year.

http://hometracks.nascar.com/2013_NK...dule_Announced

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

NASCSR K&N Pro East Series will provide a support race at PLM next year.

http://hometracks.nascar.com/2013_NK...dule_Announced

Now that would be great to see broadcasted or in person. Really happy to see Nascar looking into more roadcourses for any of its series.

[HJJ]

Tony Jr to be Stremme's crew chief @ Swan Racing.

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cu...avid-strremme/

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

NASCSR K&N Pro East Series will provide a support race at PLM next year.

http://hometracks.nascar.com/2013_NK...dule_Announced

and it begins...

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

and it begins...

I had the similar thought.

but they won't straighten out the esses too much.


Will they???

[MJ_N_09]

No changes with Front Row Motorsports. Same drivers, same crew chiefs (same sponsors?) and it sounds like Josh Wise will actually be able to run more races as opposed to S&Ping all the time.

[HJJ]

Some rides for 2013 still up in the air: A year ago at this time, dominoes seemed to be tumbling all over the NASCAR world. Kurt Busch's departure from Penske Racing led to AJ Allmendinger's move from Richard Petty Motorsports to Penske, followed by Aric Almirola's move to replace Allmendinger at RPM. It seemed like there was a move or two every day, and the news was endless. This year? Not so much. Aside from a couple lower-series moves there haven't been many post-Homestead driver changes. [But there are some] possible open seats at full-time teams
BK Racing: There's no reason Landon Cassill and Travis Kvapil wouldn't return to BK Racing in 2013, but the team hasn't finalized its drivers for the #83 and 93 cars yet.
Tommy Baldwin Racing: It seems likely #36-Dave Blaney will return next season, but it hasn't been announced.
Phil Parsons Racing: Will Michael McDowell return to the #98 car? It hasn't been made official yet if so.
FAS Lane Racing: Ken Schrader will be in the #32 car for select races, and the remaining schedule will be filled by yet-to-be-named drivers.
Joe Falk Motorsports: Stephen Leicht won rookie of the year honors for the #33 car. The team's 2013 lineup has not been announced.
Phoenix Racing: Will Phoenix Racing even come back in 2013? It's not certain team owner James Finch will return, and what driver will be behind the wheel if he does.(SBNation)

.

[MJ_N_09]

Alot of good Trucks news for their series:

ESR: Max Gresham will run full time for the team. Assuming Cale Game and Justin Lofton come back, that's a 3 truck team. (6, 8, 33)

JDM: Speaking of another 3 Truck team, this team merged with a part time team, NTS motorsports. Ron Hornaday has a 2 year deal with the team. NTS' driver Brennan Newberry, takes the 2nd seat. The 3rd truck will have multiple drivers, particularily Kevin Harvick running some of the races. (9, 14, 24)

Turner: Lots of uncertainty. Buescher went to the NNS, Piquet is looking to move there as well. All I know is that Miguel Paludo comes back.

RCR: Brendan Gaughan runs full time alongside Ty Dillon.

[Clive Brown]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Brendan Gaughan runs full time alongside Ty Dillon.

So I guess this is a case as far as Cup and Nationwide is concerned, of 'Gaughan, and soon to be forgotten.'

This seemingly untalentled rich boy seems to be working his way down the list of NASCAR categories. What's next- Whelen East?

[Jacques Rabbit]

Brendan Gaughan had potential once, but now he's just become a bloated buffoon, wrecking all the equipment he can get into and going on vaguely racist rants from his high horse.

Meanwhile, Parker Kligerman will be full-time in Kyle Busch Motorsports' #77 NNS car, while Busch himself will drive the #54 on a part-time basis. A good amount of decent guys running full-time for NNS points next year. Favorites are probably Smith, Sadler, Dillon and Vickers.

[Clive Brown]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

Favorites are probably Smith, Sadler, Dillon and Vickers.

What about Hornish Jr. at Penske, and Trevor Bayne at RFR?

[Jacques Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Clive Brown

What about Hornish Jr. at Penske, and Trevor Bayne at RFR?

Them, too.

If Buescher has a full-time seat at Turner, he's in the mix, as well.

I wish there were fewer Cup washouts, but the NNS is slowly turning into something a little better, and with Cup's new cars, and Truck's new schedule, there's a lot to look forward to next year, I think.