NASCAR at Pocono and Texas: Attack of the Split Weekend

It's a split weekend for NASCAR this weekend, as Cup goes to the Tricky Triangle in the Poconos while the Truck Series heads off to the snoozefest known as Texas Motor Speedway.

43 cars are entered for Cup, so we probably won't see any DNQs unless someone shows up last-minute. Only 27 trucks are entered for Texas, making this potentially the shortest field of the season. Timmy Hill and Austin Theriault will run in the 94 and 29 trucks respectively, while the driver of the 1 truck is TBA.

Hopefully the drivers remember to stay in their cars after a crash this week, as Trevor Bayne and Jennifer Jo Cobb found out after Dover.

Cup entries:
http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/14-Pocono-2015-Entry-List

Truck entries:
http://www.jayski.com/news/campingworld/2015/story/_/page/2015cts07texas-entry

I MAY be at Pocono, weather dependent (Weather Channel saying right now it's supposed to be ok, AccuWeather says rain)

I think the Truck series might be the best Nascar race of the weekend.

DOVER PENALTIES
Trevor Bayne gets a $20k fine and probation and Jen Jo Cobb gets $5k and probation for walking on a hot track.
Kevin Harvick gets last choice of pit stalls at Pocono after a P1 penalty for consecutive written warnings - Jeff Gluck

Xfinity : http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2015/05/No-97-Team-Hit-With-P3-Penalty.aspx

http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2015/05/Richard-Childress-Docked-Owner-Points.aspx

Kurt Busch wins pole, after Hamlin spins with hardly anytime remaining on the clock. 5 drivers were not able to make a lap.

HURR DURR HOW DO GET ON TRACK IN TIME TO ACTUALLY MAKE A LAP THAT COUNTS

Brad Keselowski just plowed through Brett Moffit

NASCARLOVER427 wrote:Brad Keselowski just plowed through Brett Moffit

Memo to Brad K, cars are solid objects, and the high side doesn't work at Pocono.

Well, this race got crash happy in a hurry.

Crash Happy and boring

Truex wins. I can already hear Packerman dancing to Johnson + Harvick not winning lol.

FINALLY!!!!! Truex gets it done!!!!!!!

Mother of God! He got it done!!!

Took you long enough to win Truex.

Well deserved win though.

BooyakaDragon wrote:Truex wins. I can already hear Packerman dancing to Johnson + Harvick not winning lol.

You're Goddamn right I am.

Anywho, my thoughts on the 2015 Axalta 'We Paint Winners' 400 @ Pocono:

Finally! One of my guys wins, and he beat Harvick and Johnson to do it!

Helluva job by Martin Truex, Jr., finally nailing down his third career win. Those boys over at Furniture Row have got their heads on straight, and they may be the only ones who can challenge Harvick and Johnson for this championship, considering how well they've been running this year. Four straight races, Truex led the most laps. Fourth time is the charm, and it's his thirteenth top ten in fourteen races so far this season. I would not give the championship trophy to Harvick or Johnson just yet.





As for the race itself, it wasn't really all that intriguing. There were stretches of the race where it got pretty boring, although the restarts were certainly something to watch, and the fact that it got crash happy in the last quarter of the race didn't really help matters.

And I'll be honest. When I saw Harvick and Johnson right there with Truex on that final restart, I was thinking, "Oh, God, here we go again with this shit." It was a scenario we've seen many times already in the past couple of weeks, but thankfully, from my perspective, Truex got the job done and rightfully establishes himself and Furniture Row Racing as prime title contenders, and Truex will get that shot at the Chase that he was screwed out of a few years ago. Hopefully, he takes full advantage of it.

My final rating for the 2015 Axalta 'We Paint Winners' 400 @ Pocono:

Overall, a pretty average race, with a long awaited Truex victory, which definitely bumps it up a bit. This race gets a 5.5/10.

Off to that state up north we go! (Speaking as a Buckeyes fan. )

Would it be safe to say Furnature Row is quickly becoming the modern day Morgan-McClure Racing?

Average race. GW Truex.

PYLrulz wrote:Would it be safe to say Furnature Row is quickly becoming the modern day Morgan-McClure Racing?

As good as the team is performing, it certainly feels that way, doesn't it?

Also, may I nominate Ricky Stenhouse as Reject of the Race?!?  You get bumped by Casey Mears, and you respond by trying to divebomb him in the next corner, and fail miserably at it.

PYLrulz wrote:Also, may I nominate Ricky Stenhouse as Reject of the Race?!?  You get bumped by Casey Mears, and you respond by trying to divebomb him in the next corner, and fail miserably at it.

And he blamed it on brake failure...right...

Memoriesallbutdone wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:Also, may I nominate Ricky Stenhouse as Reject of the Race?!?  You get bumped by Casey Mears, and you respond by trying to divebomb him in the next corner, and fail miserably at it.

And he blamed it on brake failure...right...

Had it on his scanner at the race. He bitched about Mears out 6 ways to Sunday on the radio.

Nice to see Truex Jr. finally pull one out this year. Average race overall, but great winner.

Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose. Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree. Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

No... because Ryan Newman NEVER wrecks ANYONE EVER. LIKE, EVER.



What an absolute idiot.

We! Are never ever ever! Racing back together!

(ugh...)

Ben Atkins wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

No... because Ryan Newman NEVER wrecks ANYONE EVER. LIKE, EVER.



What an absolute idiot.

Maybe he's taking these dirty tactics from his old mentor Tony Stewart, or something...

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

He was successful in a system where he shouldn't've been, given he had no wins. Regardless of the system, farcical or not, he had success.

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

He was successful in a system where he shouldn't've been, given he had no wins. Regardless of the system, farcical or not, he had success.

I wouldn't count it as a success for the point you said. He shouldn't have been. Had it not for him wrecking Larson at Phoenix, he wouldn't have even been close. Ironically, he's whining about someone doing something without intent when it looks like he can dish it, but can't take it.

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

He was successful in a system where he shouldn't've been, given he had no wins. Regardless of the system, farcical or not, he had success.

I wouldn't count it as a success for the point you said. He shouldn't have been. Had it not for him wrecking Larson at Phoenix, he wouldn't have even been close. Ironically, he's whining about someone doing something without intent when it looks like he can dish it, but can't take it.

Had he not wrecked Larson, he would've been 5th in the championship. I'm not sure why a top 5 in points isn't considered a success. I'm not saying he's right in this case because he's really not, but he's definitely not the Mr. Irrelevant some people are painting him to be.

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

He was successful in a system where he shouldn't've been, given he had no wins. Regardless of the system, farcical or not, he had success.

I wouldn't count it as a success for the point you said. He shouldn't have been. Had it not for him wrecking Larson at Phoenix, he wouldn't have even been close. Ironically, he's whining about someone doing something without intent when it looks like he can dish it, but can't take it.

Had he not wrecked Larson, he would've been 5th in the championship. I'm not sure why a top 5 in points isn't considered a success. I'm not saying he's right in this case because he's really not, but he's definitely not the Mr. Irrelevant some people are painting him to be.

He's had success, yes, but people paint him as Mr. Irrelevant because nobody gives a shit about him. He's not popular like Dale Jr. and he's not polarizing like Kyle Busch. He's basically a driver that has done just enough to stick around as long as he has... which, considering how much money he's earned in his career, is not necessarily a bad thing. But it also doesn't mean he should be acting all high and mighty like he is in this case, because it makes him look like a giant toolbag.

I forgot to do this over the weekend. It wasn't an exciting Pocono race, but it wasn't god awful either. I was very thrilled for Truex Jr. to get that elusive win. Hope more to come and possibly a championship run.

And Newman needs to get over himself. I understand he's pissed, but it was a racing incident with Allmendinger. AJ got loose. Nothing you can do about it. And Newman must understand that revenge is not always a dish best served cold.

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

This.  The guy hasn't even had more than 10 Top 5's in a season since 2004 (his last multi-win season too).  5 Top 5's in 2015, and he was somehow a championship contender?!?  Yeah... shows you how much a joke the system is.

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

Ben Atkins wrote:

vbooy57 wrote:

PYLrulz wrote:

PackerMan71 wrote:Apparently, Ryan Newman has promised payback for Allmendinger...

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/6/7/8744541/2015-nascar-pocono-raceway-ryan-newman-aj-allmendinger-accident-payback

Newman, seriously, grow up.

Allmendinger got loose.  Yeah, like AJ was going to intentionally destroy his car just to wreck some washed up has-been who only really banked on his Purdue engineering degree.  Once everybody realized that that kind of thing was the way to go, he became just another driver in the field.

While Newman is definitely in the wrong, can't really call someone that missed out on last year's championship by one point a has been.

I wouldn't put much stock into him finishing 2nd in the championship with the farcical chase system, and when that 2nd place finish was his best finish that entire season.

He was successful in a system where he shouldn't've been, given he had no wins. Regardless of the system, farcical or not, he had success.

I wouldn't count it as a success for the point you said. He shouldn't have been. Had it not for him wrecking Larson at Phoenix, he wouldn't have even been close. Ironically, he's whining about someone doing something without intent when it looks like he can dish it, but can't take it.

Had he not wrecked Larson, he would've been 5th in the championship. I'm not sure why a top 5 in points isn't considered a success. I'm not saying he's right in this case because he's really not, but he's definitely not the Mr. Irrelevant some people are painting him to be.

He would have been further back I think since the points get reset to what they would have been without the chase.

Ryan Newman's success wasn't real, just like the moon landing.