Welcome to this week’s edition of “He Said, She Said”, where members of the racing community sound off on a variety of topics in the Motorsports community.
This year’s panel includes current writers and editors and a former driver providing a plethora of angles from all forms of the industry.
This week’s edition includes a look back at the NASCAR action at Texas Motor Speedway, plus our thoughts on some news and driver discussions and a preview of this week’s events at Phoenix International Raceway.
The 2013 Panel:
Ross Bynum (@theRossBynum): Ross Bynum, a frequent contributor to Queers4Gears joins CATCHFENCE.com exclusively to offer his opinions on varying topics. His in-depth reporting and analysis on the IndyCar series as well, makes him a welcome fit to the He Said, She Said panel.
Erin Crocker Evernham (@CrockerErin): Erin Crocker is no stranger to racing. A veteran and prominent winner of the USAC tour, she is the only female driver to win an ARCA Superspeedway challenge championship. She also has starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series. She is the wife to former crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham.
Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall): Kelly Crandall is a current managing editor at Popular Speed and columnist with Speedway Media. She joins the panel as a guest contributor.
Roger Holtsclaw (@rogerholtsclaw): Roger Holtsclaw is the Managing Editor of ONPITROAD.com and Assistant Editor of SPEEDWAYMEDIA.com. Roger spent several years as a NASCAR crew member in the top three national touring series and twenty years as a short track racer in the southeast. He joins the panel as a guest contributor.
Chris Knight (@Knighter01): Chris Knight is the assistant news editor, senior staff writer and director of driver communications for CATCHFENCE.com. In addition to those roles, he is also known for his public relations duties for a variety of different race teams and an active motorsports sponsor.
Adam Niemeyer (@adamniemeyer): Adam Niemeyer is a NASCAR-affiliate based in Ohio with experience in reporting and writing for multiple news network in the Indiana and Southern Ohio area. He also has his own NASCAR-blog.
Cary Strome (@CaryStrome): Returning to CATCHFENCE.com after a seven year absence as a staff writer, Cary Strome joins the He Said, She Said panel for his insight on the latest happenings.
Lori Tyler (@lorityler): Lori Tyler is a long-time staff writer at CATCHFENCE.com and one of the original contributors to “He Said, She Said.”
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:
• Jimmie Johnson put a whooping on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field at Texas Motor Speedway this past Sunday in the AAA 500. Your thoughts on the race?
Kelly Crandall: A letdown when compared to the last few fall races and how the finishes played out amongst championship contenders. Johnson and Keselowski last year, Stewart and Edwards in 2011. With the way that Johnson and Kenseth had been keeping each other close and their past history at Texas, I was looking forward to another classic showdown. Instead it was Johnson whooping, which shouldn’t have been all that surprising either.
Roger Holtsclaw: This race was a perfect display of what this team is capable of. The dream team of Johnson and Knaus are on the verge of their sixth championship and are showing no signs of slowing down. Their domination at Texas could easily be duplicated at Phoenix or Homestead.
Chris Knight: I’ll have to admit that I was really expecting more out of Texas Motor Speedway last weekend. Of course, we know it’s a typical cookie-cutter track, but this is Texas Motor Speedway that we’re talking about and everything supposed to be better in Texas. Well, in my eyes it wasn’t.
We’ve seen some good fights for the win at TMS in the past, but it’s evident that the Gen6 car still has some work to do on some of these tracks. I think NASCAR will get there, but it’s going to take some more time.
Of course, what can you say about Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the entire Hendrick Motorsports bunch? They flat out had the field whipped. Knaus is planning to take the exact car to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season-finale and well, that could be very bad news for the rest of the competition.
I want to give a shout-out to Eddie Gossage and the entire TMS staff. Even though, the race may not have been as spectacular as we wanted, there’s nothing but praises from the fans and other visitors about their experience at TMS. They truly help make the NASCAR experience real.
Adam Niemeyer: Some day in the future we’ll all look back on Jimmie’s dominance and just admire it. And I think this year we’ve seen Matt Kenseth dominate too. The fact that Kenseth kept the race with Johnson close even though Johnson won the race has made this weekend rather interesting.
Cary Strome: Johnson was in a league of his own this past weekend. I don’t think that anyone in the field had anything for him. It’s not over! Think about last year. Same race, same points lead and it didn’t work out.
Lori Tyler: I must admit it wasn’t the most exciting race of the season. However, as usual, Johnson was a force to be reckoned with. This battle between he and Kenseth is becoming quite interesting!
• Furniture Row Racing finally announced their plans for 2014 and beyond. Martin Truex Jr. was announced Friday as the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet SS for at least the next two seasons. How do you feel about the move?
Kelly Crandall: Good for Martin, he deserved to land on his feet after everything that has happened in the last few months. All of which he played no direct part in causing to himself. Furniture Row was the last decent ride out there and Kurt Busch has shown they are Chase material. With Truex, who’s a proven winner, in a car that’s a proven winner, it should all lead to good things next year. Should being the key word, I have to admit I’ve been greatly surprised that Busch hasn’t put that car in Victory Lane this year. Perhaps Truex can make it a regular there next year, as he’s due for a big year.
Roger Holtsclaw: I think this is a fantastic move for both parties. My only concern is – Did Kurt Busch make the 78 car better than it actually is? And if so, does Truex have the ability to do the same? Truex is a consistent and smooth driver, who takes care of equipment, but does he have that extra something that allows a driver to take a 15th place car and finish in the top 5? Only time will tell. I do hope that NAPA steps up and partners with the team. The additional funds may give them just what they need to find victory lane, something that, even with all their success this season, has eluded them.
Chris Knight: First, kudos to Lee Spencer for making this story, girl has skill =)
Secondly, I have to agree with Adam that Martin Truex Jr. has suffered the worse from the Michael Waltrip Racing spin gate scandal at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. But, sometimes in life and in racing, when one door closes, another one opens and this is the case for Martin Truex Jr.
He has a two-year agreement with Furniture Row Racing and I think that Martin and the team should adapt quickly. I’m not sure if we will see the speed that we have this season from Kurt Busch, but we will see consistency from the No. 78 bunch and Truex Jr.
Can they make the chase for the second-year in a row? Absolutely. I feel that the resources will be there, including Truex’s pit crew from MWR that line-up the components for the Denver-based team to prove that 2013 was not a fluke.
Adam Niemeyer: Martin Truex Jr. has been the most hurt from the intentional spin out at Richmond, even though he seemed to be the least culpable in the whole mess. It’s good for him to jump into a good ride with the No. 78 team that has knocked on the door of a few wins with Kurt Busch behind the wheel. This team has shown it can contend, and I believe Martin Truex Jr. can contend for the Chase next year with the 78 team.
Cary Strome: I think it was a great move for Martin Truex Jr. He has made the Chase three times in eight seasons. I do not see why he can’t have the same success as Busch had with this team. I wish him all the luck in the world.
Lori Tyler: Martin is a very talented driver. This is a very talented team. I think it’s a great move for both parties that will yield great results.
• Despite a winless season at Hendrick Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has amassed a strong season in his No. 88 Chevrolet SS. Even though he hasn’t posted a win, he’s been the bridesmaid five times this season. How would you rate the season for NASCAR’s most popular driver?
Kelly Crandall: It seems that as the years go by he and Steve Letarte are getting better. They’re running stronger during races and pulling out decent finishes. They just can’t crack through to Victory Lane. Image if all the top fives and runner-up finishes they’ve pulled off the last two years were wins? They’re certainly capable but it makes me think of something Jack Roush said when winning his first championship with Matt Kenseth in 2003: it felt like breaking through a plate glass window. When this 88 team finally gets it to click all year, winning races and seriously challenging for a championship, that’s what’ll it will feel like. This has been the best Chase Earnhardt has had, unfortunately it’ll be remembered for what could have been thanks to Chicago. Overall, a solid A- for the 88 team.
Roger Holtsclaw: This has been one of the best seasons in recent history for Earnhardt. The most important factor is that Dale now gives better feedback to the crew chief and is more involved with the team. A change that he admits has made a major difference. Steve Letarte has been a great change for Earnhardt. It will be interesting to see what they can do next season.
Chris Knight: You can see it when the media talks to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He may not be winning, but he’s running consistently near the front and not dropping off as much as we have seen in the past.
Jr. and Steve Letarte are finding themselves together, almost like a Johnson and Knaus connection. I think the No. 88 team will have a strong end to the season and they in my opinion could be the one that everyone is chasing for that championship in 2014.
Jr. is happy and content and that’s all that matters at this point. He knows he can win, the ducks just haven’t lined up this year to make it happen. He will visit victory lane again, you’ll see.
Adam Niemeyer: Disappointing. Dale Jr. has won two poles and recorded eight top-five finishes in the No. 88, but still hasn’t won. As a guy who has followed Mark Martin’s career for 20 years I know better than anyone how disappointing it is to be the guy who finishes second, but Junior needs wins. He won’t satisfy his fans without winning. Sure he was good early on (and led the point standings after the race at Fontana) but having no wins hurt his Chase chances from the get-go. Junior needs to win to be anything more than disappointing.
Cary Strome: There is about 34 races on the schedule this year. Dale has 20 top 10 finishes. That is a great season. Dale is 62 points behind in the Chase, and that does not make it unsuccessful. He has had a great season in my opinion.
Lori Tyler: This team continues to become more and more consistent with each passing season. Surely a win is in their future. They have certainly worked hard enough for it!
• Parker Kligerman made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Texas Motor Speedway driving for SWAN Racing. Kligerman was impressive, notching a top-20 finish in the No. 30 Toyota Camry. Was his performance good enough to potentially earn the ride full-time in 2014?
Kelly Crandall: Absolutely, mostly because Kligerman doesn’t have anything locked up for next year and is available, plus he’s young. Teams want young drivers they can build a future around. And that team could be Swan Racing as they’re still looking for a full-time driver next year. Kligerman could potentially be back in the car at Homestead, as Swan wants to get another look at him. Which could mean they’ll decide between he and Cole Whitt, who has driven the car a lot the last few months, on who gets the keys for 2014.
Roger Holtsclaw: Though his performance was impressive, let’s not get the cart before the horse. Kligerman is a great talent, but I feel he could use at least one more year in the Nationwide Series before making a move to Sprint Cup. There have been too many good drivers that have made the move too soon, and ended up in mediocre rides and eventually dropping back to lower series or out of NASCAR altogether. I do not want to see that happen to Kligerman.
Chris Knight: Without question or hesitation, Parker Kligerman did a fine job for Swan Racing at Texas Motor Speedway. There was a lot of eyes on him and he performed. Is it the step in the right direction for him? Possibly.
While he’s run strong in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year, I haven’t quite seen what I’ve been looking for from him, especially after his presence up front in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
No doubt that Brandon Davis has a tough choice to make. But, I will say this, if Parker is given the nod to drive at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has a duplicate performance there, then I would agree that he’s warranted a shot at the No. 30 entry in 2014.
In my opinion though, I still feel it was a wrong move to take David Stremme out of the seat. Stremme built that team into what it is today and I absolutely hate that he’s on the sidelines. I commend Stremme though for his tweet following the Texas Motor Speedway race congratulating Kligerman for his run.
Adam Niemeyer: I’ve been following Parker’s career since I covered an ARCA race at Kentucky in 2009 that he won. Back then ARCA legend Frank Kimmel told us, “Watch out for this kid,” and he’s done well for himself so far. Do I believe Kligerman deserves the ride full-time in 2014? Probably. But I would have to urge Swan Racing to not give up on another youngster they put in the car on a few occasions this year, Cole Whitt. I think a split between Cole Whitt and Parker Kligerman would be fun to see because both young drivers have great skill and talent. I’d love to see them get a shot.
Cary Strome: I do not think that just one top 20 run in Sprint Cup Series would earn you a full-time ride. If you look at his run in the Nationwide Series then yes, I would say that his performance was enough to potentially earn a full time ride in 2014.
Lori Tyler: Time will tell, but I am quite certain Cup Racing is in his future.
• Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway this weekend for the Advocare 500. Who do you like and will Jimmie Johnson leave the race with the points lead still intact?
Kelly Crandall: Well, my first reaction is that recent history shows up that Phoenix can play a key role in determining the champion. But, as I mentioned before, I thought Texas would do that as well. Both Johnson and Kenseth are solid at this track, so unless something big happens to Johnson I see him leaving with the point lead intact. However, I think it’ll be much closer than seven points entering Homestead.
As for a favorite, you have to go with the normal Johnson, Kenseth, Kyle Busch, even Carl Edwards and the others. But we’ve talked about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and he’s a two-time winner here and let’s not leave out Joey Logano, he too got off on a bad Chase start in Chicago but has run well since. He’s knocking on the door of getting back in Victory Lane.
Roger Holtsclaw: I think we will see Johnson or Kenseth in victory lane. These two teams have been almost flawless and Phoenix may very well be the one of the most important races of the year for both teams. I predict the points spread will be the same or less than it is now, with Johnson on top.
Chris Knight: Of course, all eyes are going to be on the two guys in the Chase for the championship. Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth will be strong, but I think you’re going to have keep an eye on Carl Edwards, who won in the spring.
I also think Kevin Harvick will make a mad dash to get Richard Childress Racing another win before his departure from the organization at seasons end.
Adam Niemeyer: Jimmie Johnson has won four races in 20 starts at PIR and has just four finishes outside the top ten (including last year’s race where he blew a tire and whacked the wall). I’d think he’s the favorite to win this weekend, but Matt Kenseth has turned up his game so much in the Chase that it could be another duel between the top two drivers in the standings. Johnson might leave Phoenix with the points lead, but Kenseth may shave a point or two off the lead.
Cary Strome: I like Keselowski this weekend. He loves the new surface at Phoenix. He has an average finish of 5th at Phoenix. I am looking to see him up front. I believe that Jimmie may walk out of this on top. I mean all he has to do is beat Matt Kenseth. Easier said than done, isn’t it.
Lori Tyler: I love this track. Johnson won last week, so I think Kenseth will grab it this week. This race is going to go down to the wire, and it’s sure been fun to watch!
