Hamlin - a cry baby? Champ or Chump?

[Harmonica Bear]

Just curious as to what you think about the shake up with the #11. Almost seems to me like border-line whining and cry-baby Hamlin gets a new pit crew. The win as a team, lose as a team doesn't apply to him? Or does he have every right to complain and get his crew fired because this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sport. And your time in the spot light can come and go in a heart beat. Thoughts? Opinions?

[Sutty]

Well I'd say he is teamates with puff so that explains the whining. He certainly had a reason to be pi$$ed after the race. He also had the seeds to admit he cost them a win this year to. So I think he needs to try to keep from venting on camera after a race but thats why nascar wants to shove a microphone and camera in their face right after a race to catch there 'emotion' I don't think the whining cost the crew their jobs it was the performance.

[TNFL]

What bugs me, is that crew built and maintained that car to put him in the position to contend. Show a little respect young lad.

[fishing tech]

Most pit crews just work on the car on sundays. Special guys that show up on sunday to change tires and gas em up.

[Rippinlip]

He is going to be a champ. IMO.

I like the kid, if you look at the COT races he and smoke should have each a victory, which would lessen the Hendrick domination talk.

As far as venting, I agree to what was said earlier, leave these guys alone for a cooling off time right after the race, if they want to talk right away, let em.

I am involved with racing and emotions run really high right after your butt was on the line for something, crash, pit problems, etc.

It is hard to control emotions right away, but give em a chance to settle and most will say it is just racing.

Media is only doing thier job trying to get thier stories.

Denny is a great driver, his crew is good and it is too bad somebody lost thier job over what happened.

I would not believe anyone would have got fired for a one time fault, we don't know what all the details were, just media coverage.

[harvey lee]

Very well stated RippinLip.

[TNFL]

One question on the lug nut problem. Don't the air ratchets hold an extra lug or two "just in case"? Or is it like bird hunting where you can only have so many in the chamber?

[JollyT]

The lugnuts are not in the gun's socket. The lugnuts are glued to the wheel holes. If you miss a clean tire set you can knock them off, but that's why they train.

[TNFL]

That makes sense!