Let’s have some fun this week, shall we?
If you hadn’t heard – and I know you have – Robby Gordon and Kevin Conway had an, uh, altercation in the garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday night (March 4).
Odds are, Gordon was upset about the money that ExtenZe owes him after Conway drove for the team for some races in 2010. (Front Row Motorsports and ExtenZe had a similar situation that led to Conway’s departure from the team before he went to RGM, so it’s not like this is unprecedented.)
But reality is kind of boring. What if it wasn’t about the money?
What if Gordon was mad at Conway for having a Hangover-style Vegas week without him? Can you see Conway in a hotel room with a tiger? Terry Cook, the man who was supposed to “compete” with Conway for the 2010 Rookie of the Year title could be Doug, the disappearing compadre. Joe Nemechek could be Alan – after all, he did have a nice mustache – and Jimmy Johnson (the football coach) could be Phil. How fun would that be?
Yeah, not too funny. But what’s funny about struggling in the Cup Series?
Even though Tony Stewart dominated the race on Sunday, didn’t it seem fitting that Carl Edwards won given the Fords’ dominance over the weekend? If the FR9 engine can really allow the Ford guys to run more tape over the grill than the competition when it gets hot, Edwards may really be the favorite to win the Sprint Cup title.
Speaking of favorites, who wants to write off Jimmie Johnson as the favorite? I’m sure a lot of people instantly and irrationally raised their hands, but it’s not time to think that the No. 48 is vulnerable yet. If he struggles at Texas and Martinsville, then it’s time to start thinking about heirs to the Lowe’s throne.
Greg Biffle was the microcosm of the problems that many anticipated with the new fueling system. He might have had the second fastest car on Sunday, but as we all know, a car won’t run without gas. And while it hurt the Biff on Sunday, one major problem in three races isn’t as major as it could have been.
And that self-venting fuel can has slowed stops a bit, but not too much. Teams were cranking out stops in the 14-second range on Sunday, just a second off some stops last year.
If there was a press conference with a victorious Edwards and John Force, what would be the question to answer ratio? Hell, there may not be a need for any questions to be asked!
Who else is disappointed that Front Row’s chances at a Chase berth are essentially kaput?
Jamie McMurray and Scott Dixon are going to do a car swap. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the seat fitters won’t put in as much work as they will at Watkins Glen when Stewart and Lewis Hamilton switch rides.
Weeks like this should make you thankful that Speedweeks is starting a week later next year. Yeah, it stinks that we’ll have to wait a week longer until Daytona, but this off weekend could not be timed any more poorly. Now, if it would have been a week later on the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament? You wouldn’t hear me complaining.
The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.