MWR

[Wanderer]

I thought all three of the drivers gave pretty sheepish post-race interviews. They seemed like they knew what they HAD to say but didn't have any heart behind it. Almost like, "Geez, it wasn't supposed to be so obvious that you're asking us about it already".

Just standing there stuck, knowing they have to sell the story but would really like to see some footage before talking too much...

Maybe MWR is so bad at cheating because they haven't done it enough compared to others???

I've liked Mikey and Clint and haven't had anything bad to say about Martin or Brian but a spade is spade and they stepped in it BIG TIME!

[harvey lee]

I watched this race and told my wife that Bowyer spun on purpose to hopefully change who did and did not make the Chase.

I agree with you 100% Limit.

MWR should have be excluded from the Chase totally for pulling something like they did.

Can one prove Bowyer spun on purpose-no but, it sure worked out very well for MWR racing.

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

Now Penski is being accused of collaborating with front row racing and their driver Gilliland of slowing up to allow Logano to pass him and gain a spot. According to the article:

"The radio communication from the No. 38 team reveals that a voice on the radio, believed to be Gilliland crew chief Frank Kerr, tells the spotter to tell Logano's spotter that the track position "better pay big."

"The committee knows what I've been asking for," Kerr says.

"We've got the big dog and all his cronies," the spotter replies.

Kerr then says: "Travis knows what I've been asking for," an apparent reference to Penske Racing competition director Travis Geisler.

A short time later, Logano passed Gilliland on a restart and finished 22nd -- one spot ahead of Gilliland and good enough for a berth in the Chase field.

"Good job, good job, man," the spotter says. "Hopefully we'll get something out of that."

Nice, All they need now is Jesse the Body Ventura to do some announcing or Vince McMahon as a car owner to make the transformation to WWE wrestling complete.

[Wanderer]

DO OVER!!

[yaggie]

By the time the smoke clears Gordo could be in!

[harvey lee]

Logano should be out and Gordo in.

I now see 5 Hour Energy is looking at thier sponsorship with MWR.

This deal they tried to pull off could be the end for MWR.

What an silly-me.

[Sifty]

Funny thing is NASCAR is LOVING this as they are on the front page of everything.

Right before the chase getting everyone to watch and see what happens.

I know that I will be intersted to see what the ratings are for this years 1st chase race vs last years

[harvey lee]

NASCAR needs something as the attendance at the races seem to continue to drop.

Can't have the Cup racing go the way of pro boxing with the fix in on the fights like years ago. Not good for the sport.

NASCAR should have throw Bowyer out of the Chase for doing what he did, about the only way to send a firem meesage to these teams to let them know they will not put up with this garbage.

I like Clint but what he did was bad, not much for respect for him anymore.

[LMITOUT]

I don't think they are relishing this type of attention, not when it revolves around the credibility of the sport.

[CaptainMusky]

I tend to agree LMT, but it has been said over and over that good publicity is any publicity. It could get people to watch just to see what may happen in the race now. There are definite story lines.

Remember when the first Nascar race was nationally televised? A fight broke out and since then it has become a darling on broadcast television.

I think the only negative that could come out of this is if Bowyer wins.

[LMITOUT]

Fights and people mad at each other after races is one thing. Manipulating outcomes of races is another.

This isn't good publicity.

[CaptainMusky]

Yeah, I can understand that. I just think this type of thing has gone on before, just people were a little smarter about it.

I mean, do we seriously think that Johnson suddenly cant keep a car together? What is his avg finish in the last 4 races? He may have been tanking to help out Gordon. One less person for Gordo to pass.

[LMITOUT]

I mean, do we seriously think that Johnson suddenly cant keep a car together? What is his avg finish in the last 4 races? He may have been tanking to help out Gordon. One less person for Gordo to pass.

Do you seriously think the last four races Johnson was tanking it?

For FOUR races he had battery issues, tires blow out, etc. Yep, all to help Gordon.

No chance.

[Wanderer]

Chad is a better cheater than Mikey - I wouldn't totally discount the notion after seeing 3 other teams were manipulating outcomes...

Tom, I think you could sum up Clint's actions as team orders and probably not his preferred choice. With what's at stake these days and having your seat in a good car precariously hinging on fickle decisions, he probably didn't have too many options. JMHO.

[LMITOUT]

I guess Jimmie and Chad need to work on their cheating then, because one of their alleged cautions put Gordon at the tail end of field.

[harvey lee]

Clint is a very good driver and if Mikey was dumb enough to let Clint go due to the fact he would have not done what he did, Clint could have explained to all why he was let go and MIkey would have even larger issues than he has now.

I am sure if Clint would have been true to himself and not spun out, he would have earned alot of respect from other owners as they are not all crucked.

Jimmy having issues in the last 4 weeks with accidents and mechinacal issues and then to say he was doing this on purpose is almost laughable to say the least. NUmerous times JJ was just in the wrong spot when another had an issue and collected him.

In this last race, Gordon was in until Bowyer did what he did.

[CaptainMusky]

I'm not saying I'm just saying. If Johnson tanks then Gordon only has to pass 41 other drivers because we all know danica isn't competition. Knaus has been know to bend stretch break the rules before nothing would surprise me.

[Wanderer]

One of JJs cautions coulda been an oops moment. I'm just saying in my eyes after all this has unfolded, I'm not sure I'd be surprised to hear anything about cloak and dagger strategies. My honest thought on Jimmies performance is that they were trying some experimental set ups that didn't pan out OR they're just throwing a car out on the track for the past 4 races while spending their serious time working on their Chase cars.

The only person in NASCAR I think I could whole heartedly trust to not lie, even poorly, is Mark Martin. That's not to slam NASCAR, just saying the organization is like any other big business and we don't see 90% of the dark side.

[harvey lee]

MWR racing may have pushed the rules to far in the last race before tha Chase.

During the season, I am sure numerous other drivers or teams would or have done the same thing only when noone was really looking for this say 10-20 races ago during the season, so yes, I am sure it has been done in the past.

Trouble with Bowyer spinning in the last race before the Chase is all eyes were on that team when Bowyer did what he did and the racing world saw it all.

I would doubt that there is a rule against letting another pass you during a race or even a rule saying you cannopt spin out.

Biggest issue is, they did this when it mattered the most and thier team driver benefited from it.

In the end, this will be all forgotten about just like any other issue in NASCAR excpect this could hurt MWR racing.

[LMITOUT]

Hmmm...another NASCAR press conference in about 20 minutes.

[LMITOUT]

Holy moly. Gordon was made the 13th Chase driver...on Friday the 13th.

[CaptainMusky]

Serious? That I think is the fair thing to do. I have a feeling some sponsorship mu$cle was in the middle of this.

[pushbutton]

Yeah, but who is left to crash Bowyer? I cry foul.......

[harvey lee]

Well, before Bowyer's fake spin out, neuman and Gordon were in the Chase if they had finished in those positions which they more than likely would have.

NASCAR should have thrown 1 more out, Mr Bowyer for causing all this garbage.

Logano should also be out as Gilliand let Logano pass him after the restart. Gilliland was a second slower than he was pre caution and simply let Logano go by to make the Chase.

NASCAR should get it all correct and not add 1 for 13. Heck, Bowyer really recieved no penalty as the 50 points docked were pre Chase points so no damage done there.

Won't be long and they will wonder where all thier fan base went.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, but who is left to crash Bowyer? I cry foul.......

That's what I was thinking.

Can only hope that in a few weeks neither will have a shot at the title and we'll still get our pound of flesh. It's a win-win for everyone.