Chad Knaus, longtime — hell, only — crew chief for six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, lashed out Sunday after the No. 48 was defeated in its bid to become the first car to win three races in a row, or a hat trick, since NASCAR CEO Brian France started his campaign to liken stock car racing to stick-and-ball, or in this case stick-and-puck, sports back in the early 2000s.
“It’s just not fair,” a visibly irate Knaus said. “It’s the coward’s way out. We work so hard. We step up when everyone assumed we were finished and we flat out win the previous two races. Then, all of a sudden, you got a team that’s fresh and hasn’t even contended for a win in the previous two come here to Pocono and do something like that!
“It’s not fair to Jimmie, it’s not fair to his fans and it’s certainly not fair to all the hockey-loving NASCAR fans. This has got to stop. If your car hasn’t been to victory lane in the last two races, you shouldn’t just be able to come here and steal a win with a much fresher car. It’s the work of cowards; that’s all I can say.”
During those statements, a very visible girlfriend is seen trying to calm him down but is swatted away as Knaus continued to fume. “I don’t care!” he yelled at one point.
On Monday, a spokesman for Cowards of America had scheduled a press conference for noon, presumably to say that the organization was very offended by Knaus’ remarks and was considering legal action if he did not apologize. Unfortunately, as a couple of reporters eagerly awaited for the press conference to begin, another spokesperson timidly poked his head in the door and said that it was being canceled due to the first spokesman’s chronic fear of public speaking. No further explanation was given.
Meanwhile, back in the garage, numerous crew chiefs and some drivers shared the opinion that the only way their cars were “fresher” was because they had newer Fabreze Vent Clips than did the No. 48 and said Knaus should simply “get over it.”
In other, perhaps NOT so BSNews…
With all the world in such a tizzy fit about Carl Edwards’ contract and where he might end up next year, am I the only one to come up with the possible outcome of the following?
It is well known that Edwards likes Ford and Ford likes Edwards. If Roush Fenway Racing is dumb enough to let him get away (especially over Greg Biffle), and Penske Racing is true to his word that he has no interest in Carl, who is the one team out there with the name, the history, the money and the need of a marquee name? Richard Petty Motorsports.
At this juncture, RPM is still uncommitted as to whether or not they want to stick with Ford or align with some other manufacturer. They have two drivers: Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9 and Aric Almirola in the No. 43. I know Ambrose is up for renewal and I expect him to stay at RPM, but what is the status of Almirola? I don’t know how long he is signed for, but damn, this partnership would be a “win win” for all involved — well, maybe except Almirola.
Here is what I could see happening in a nutshell: RPM signs an enthusiastic Edwards and gains renewed interest from Ford, all the while keeping Ambrose and letting Almirola go. After all, isn’t the No. 43 deserving of a more accomplished driver than what has been in it since its return?
With this new lineup and commitment from Ford, Petty’s team could rise up and become an even more dominant Ford team than Roush. Let’s face it; Roush Fenway Racing just isn’t getting it done. And from what I think I know of Edwards, if everything were to line up, I think he’d jump at the chance to drive for the King and would be the best bet of anyone to bring the iconic No. 43 back into victory lane on a regular basis — or at all in a season.
Like I said, it would suck for Almirola, a very nice and talented guy in his own right, but in a two-car lineup, he’d have to be the odd man out, no doubt about it.
If I were Edwards, that’s what I’d be looking into. But what do I know? I write BSNews.
BSNews: Your First Thought Is Our First Name!
Stay off the wall,
Jeff Meyer
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