September Articles

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="spin_out_zone_home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike Harpers Spin Out Zone, NASCAR News "><U><B><IMG SRC="14ca9430.png" border=0 width="169" height="67" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <I><B>The Spin Out Zone column can be found at:</B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.racindeals.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.racindeals.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="13e7d470.gif" border=0 width="125" height="71" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51_m.htm#the_spin_out_zone" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="September Articles"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFF00" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#262626" FACE="Comix" > <A NAME="the_spin_out_zone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#262626" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >The</FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >Spin</FONT> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#111111" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >Out</FONT> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >Zone</FONT></div> <div> <I><U>NASCAR OPINIONS - NEWS & INTERVIEWS</U></I></div> <div> <I>Nationally respected columnist Mike Harper's SpinOutZone.com</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT></div> <div> | <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spin Out Zone Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Se"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>      back to  </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive Spin Out Zone Columns"><U><B>Archive Spin Out Zone Columns</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>September 2004 Columns</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#robby_gordongate_gets_bumped_" TITLE="September Articles"><U>Robby Gordongate Gets Bumped</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#bill_davis_racing_s_no__22_gets_bumped_" TITLE="September Articles"><U>Bill Davis Racing's No. 22 Gets Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="robby_gordongate_gets_bumped_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Robby Gordongate Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> 9/25/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> This thing stinks! Can someone explain to me how the elite media can report that Robby Gordon was fired and Ricky Craven hired to drive the No. 31, but come to find out it's not true?</div> <bR> <div> Robby is driver of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. He has been somewhat aggressive recently on the track including wrecking Tim Fedewa driver of the No. 12 Chevrolet in the last Busch Series race. In addition, Robby took exception to being spun out by Greg Biffle early during the New Hampshire NEXTEL Cup Series race and vowed revenge on the radio to his team. Robby kept his word and spun Greg out later in the race, however in his haste to take Greg out he took out two other drivers that are running in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. You can't make this stuff up people!</div> <div> I understand many people are down right upset at Robby Gordon for his recent antics, but I've got to ask what has Robby done that was so wrong?</div> <bR> <div> I don't mind aggressive driving and either does NASCAR. Heck, they use the highlights of guys wrecking guys all the time in commercials to spark interest in the sport. The incident between Robby and Tim was really unnecessary, but it seemed to be one of those racindeals! Tim later showed up on the Speed TV show "NBS/27" and challenged Robby. Just to what, I have my own ideas.</div> <bR> <div> As for punting Greg Biffle, Robby was doing what most drivers do when they are upset at a guy who did them wrong, he dished out a little pay back. It was unfortunate that a couple of guys got taken out, but racing incidents happen and things like this add to the drama of the sport. Ultimately, NASCAR parked Robby during the race and several things have happened since the New Hampshire race that has highlighted the headlines.</div> <bR> <div> After the race, Robby decided to flip off or to be more politically correct, give the number one signal to a few media folks. Big deal! This is a big boy sport and the finger is shown many times during a racing event.</div> <bR> <div> Next, Robby apologized to his fans, sponsors and drivers for his behavior. Then the Boston Herald has Robby fired and Ricky Craven in the car. Finally, RCR steps in and denies that Robby has been fired, but puts Robby on probation. Wow, what a week!</div> <bR> <div> In my opinion, Robby shot himself in the foot when he told his team on the radio during the race that he was going to pay Greg Biffle back. Robby should have kept his mouth shut! If he would have I believe this entire situation wouldn't have blown up into a huge deal.</div> <bR> <div> Before this incident, rumors about Robby leaving the No. 31 have been in and out of the media. Now after this incident, the rumors are hot and heavy again. A few things are for certain. Richard Childress the owner of the No. 31 car is not happy. If you saw him being interviewed during the race, you could tell that he was a little frustrated. Also, NASCAR wasn't happy and we know this because they parked Robby for two laps during the race.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR's reason for parking Robby during the race was because of "aggressive driving." I totally disagree with that term. If they wanted to park him, they should have done it for "purposely wrecking a driver and admitting to it." Yeah, that is a darn good reason to park someone.</div> <bR> <div> The "aggressive driving" term doesn't work for me because over the season there have been many drivers that should have been parked for that specific reason and weren't. Look at Tony Stewart driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet. As I have written in the past, in this season alone, Tony has wrecked or damaged over 25 cars costing owners over three million dollars. However, Tony hasn't been parked for "aggressive driving." Honestly, I think Tony knows that he has been a headache this season because he was one of the drivers caught up in Robby's incident at New Hampshire and after the race we saw a very calm, collective Tony Stewart. In the past, Tony would have been absolutely peeved.</div> <div> Bottom line, I don't like the actual term given for parking Robby. Were not stupid NASCAR, so tell it like it is or equally dish out the penalties. More importantly, I am really upset at a few media outlets for their report.</div> <bR> <div> In David Exum's Boston Herald column titled "Craven finds a ride," published on Monday September 20th, Exum tells us that "Ricky Craven will replace the embattled Robby Gordon behind the wheel of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing machine." He also states, "Gordon's contract was to expire at the end of the season and RCR is not seeking to re-sign him." In closing he throws in "Childress is expected to fire Gordon later this week after a poor showing at NHIS."</div> <bR> <div> The New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper also reported similar reports stating Craven was in the ride and Gordon was going to be fired.</div> <div> Richard Childress Racing put out a statement saying that Robby is definitely in the car this weekend at Dover and the rumors about Craven driving the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet at Dover are completely false and unfounded.</div> <bR> <div> So, what gives? Was this another incident like CBS where they got the information wrong? Is there a conspiracy to get Robby? Does NEXTEL have it in for Cingular? Oh, the questions.</div> <bR> <div> No matter what happens to Robby after the Dover race, it was wrong to publish reports like these without confirmation from RCR and/or Robby Gordon himself.</div> <bR> <div> The Union Leader did publish a follow up column with the updated information, however they provided no apology to Robby or RCR for their misleading column. In my opinion, Robby had to apologize for his actions including those toward the media. Both The Union Leader and the Boston Herald should step up to the plate and apologize for their mistake as well.</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - Robby Gordongate!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 9/25/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="September Articles"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="bill_davis_racing_s_no__22_gets_bumped_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Bill Davis Racing's No. 22 Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> 9/15/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Let's face it, sometimes an owner hits the driver lotto and sometimes they don't. Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are examples of car owners picking a sleeper driver and hitting the jackpot. From day one they were successful and in a very short time they drove into championship contention. However, some owners roll the driver dice, but in the end, they are not so lucky.</div> <div> In the past, we have seen drivers come up through the ranks to earn their spot in NASCAR's premier series. In many cases, we've seen drivers who were unsuccessful in the Busch Series jump up to the Cup Series and encounter better success. Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray and Kasey Kahne are a few drivers who had less than stellar Busch Series careers, but have found an established home in the Cup Series. Stewart is a great example of this and he won a NASCAR Cup Series Championship.</div> <bR> <div> We've also seen past Busch Series Champions and drivers who are very successful in the Busch Series naturally earn their spot in the Cup Series, however they have disappointing Cup Series careers for whatever reason. It's hard to explain why a successful Busch Series driver can't find success in the Cup Series, but it's becoming more common in today's NASCAR.</div> <bR> <div> Then we find drivers like Earnhardt Jr., Harvick, and Kenseth who run well in both series. These drivers are among the best of the best in NASCAR and continue to find success in whatever they drive.</div> <bR> <div> It seems to me that the NASCAR owners are more competitive in their cutthroat game of finding drivers than the drivers are in racing against each other on the track. Owners are taking more risks with less successful drivers than in the past hoping to find their winning young gun and we know just by looking at the current point system which owners are winning that game.</div> <bR> <div> When I look at NASCAR owners, especially in the Cup Series, I see several types. Some owners are patient and loyal to their driver, while some owners are performance driven and anything less than 100% will not be tolerated, even if they like their driver. With that said, I see Bill Davis the owner of the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge being both, he is loyal and patient, but performance driven.</div> <div> Recently, I received an email from a reader who questioned the winning attitude of Bill Davis Racing. This Spin Out Zone reader claims to be a big Caterpillar fan and sees a major change in the team's attitude since Ward Burton's departure last year.</div> <bR> <div> I believe Bill Davis finds himself struggling with what to do with the No. 22 Dodge situation. First, his young gun is Scott Wimmer and he drives Davis' No. 22 Dodge in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Wimmer, a rookie this year in the Cup Series, had a decent 2003 Busch Series season. When you look at his Busch Series record versus some of the other unexpected young guns, you would think Wimmer would be one of those drivers where an owner would be yelling - jackpot! Unfortunately, this has not been the case.</div> <bR> <div> Wimmer started the season off on the wrong foot when he was arrested for DUI. However, he recovered well and took control of his life by learning from his mistake and giving back to the community. He then drove the No. 22 Dodge to a third place finish in the Daytona 500. After the Daytona 500 his season took a turn south and now after 26 races, we find Wimmer running 26th in NEXTEL Cup Series points and fighting "Silly Season" rumors.</div> <bR> <div> On Wednesday August 11th, Kenny Wallace who is a Bill Davis Racing teammate to Wimmer, appeared on Speed TV's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain. Kenny Wallace is a respected driver, he drives Davis' Busch Series entry and he is a fan favorite. During his appearance on Wind Tunnel, Wallace was read a question from this very Spin Out Zone, asking him if there was any truth behind the rumor of him swapping rides with Wimmer next season. Wallace denied the rumor.</div> <bR> <div> The rumor then surfaces again on September 9th when ROWDY, a news service that delivers information to subscriber's cell phones, reported that they were hearing Wimmer would be out of the No. 22 Dodge soon, however he would remain with the Bill Davis Racing organization. Again, sources from Bill Davis Racing denied the rumor.</div> <bR> <div> We've learned that drivers do go on Wind Tunnel and deny rumors that happen to be credible and we can look at the Jeff Burton departure from Roush Racing as an example. We also know that owners will deny driver changes up to the point the change is made. These rumors must drive owners crazy!</div> <bR> <div> Wimmer is a good driver and a good person, however if you measure his performance on the track, the end solution for Bill Davis is that he must do something to take this No. 22 team to the next level. Sure, Davis is going to deny the rumors of swapping drivers or making changes, that's something that you just don't yell out until it happens. However, I believe if Davis isn't looking ahead to the 2005 season with the mindset of establishing greater expectations for Wimmer or putting another driver in the seat, then he is not looking at what is in the best interest of his sponsor and team. But, believe me Bill Davis is looking out for the best interest of his sponsor and his team, so with that said, look for something to happen within the next few weeks.</div> <bR> <div> The No. 22 team must make a run for the 2005 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup and Davis has many talented drivers within his organization that could get the job done. Frank Stoddard is one of the best crew chiefs in the business and teamed up with the right driver, Bill Davis Racing's No.22 Caterpillar Dodge will be in contention for a win in the very near future. In my opinion, Wimmer could move back to the Busch Series and contend for a championship. Look for Johnny Benson or Kenny Wallace to jump into the No. 22 and bring this team back to a level that will make fans proud. To get a good jump on this, Davis will need to do it within the next four to five races so the team can prepare for next season's run for the chase.</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - BDR's No. 22 for not getting the job done! Git-R-Done!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 9/15/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="September Articles"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>