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 Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action from Talladega Superspeedway, plus some of the latest on Todd Parrott and a preview of this week’s events at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
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.
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:
• Jamie McMurray scored his seventh career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway this past weekend. A relatively entertaining race set for a bizarre finish. Your thoughts on the Camping World RV Sales 500?
Ross Bynum: I didn’t think the race was great or terrible. Talladega is so unpredictable that a race where there’s not a massive pileup at the start/finish line, to me, is a good race.
Erin Crocker Evernham: I thought it was an uneventful race but that’s not necessarily a bad thing at a super speedway race in my opinion. I hate seeing “the big one”. All that wrecked equipment and increased chance of someone getting hurt is not for me. I was very happy to see Jamie get back in Victory Lane. His genuine emotion was very refreshing!
Chris Knight: Well, what a spectacle the Camping World RV Sales 500 turned out to be. The action was tight and heavy early and really never stopped. Oh wait, it did in the final 10 laps. While the drivers have given every reason but the sun on why it was single-pack racing those final 10 laps, I strongly believe a mix of Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finish, plus the fear of being hung out to “dry” all were contributing factors to the finish.
It really was neat to see the battle between Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth to see who led the most laps in the race. What if the championship came down to that single-point at Homestead? We could look back and see that this Talladega race was super crucial in the end, despite its non-excitement at the end.
On the flips side, no one was happier than Jamie McMurray on Sunday. He didn’t mind that plans didn’t materialize. He scored his seventh career Cup victory and enjoy the first with his children in Victory Lane. Truly a kodak moment.
Adam Niemeyer: Is anyone going to make a move? Anyone? Anyone? We’re still waiting on someone to step out of line and make a McMurray. I understand no one wanted to jump out of line too early and get caught making a fatal move, but what did guys like David Ragan and David Gilliland have to lose? They were running about eight cars back. If a group of people had tried to gang up on McMurray maybe a lap or two earlier maybe something could have happened.
Cary Strome: I am happy for Jamie McMurray. I can’t think of a better place for your first win of the season other then maybe, Daytona; he was in the right place at the right time.
Lori Tyler: I was really happy for Jamie McMurray. It was a pretty solid event, as Talladega usually is. It was exciting, for sure. I realize some of the drivers would probably prefer not to race on a superspeedway during the Chase, but for the fans…they seem to love it!
• On the last lap of the Camping World RV Sales 500, Austin Dillon went spinning before becoming airborne spinning after making contact with Casey Mears. Immediately, NASCAR issued the caution, freezing the field and ultimately ending the race. In your opinion, was it the right call?
Ross Bynum: Any time an accident of that magnitude happens, the right call is to always throw the caution and freeze the field. There is no harm in being cautious when approaching these types of accidents.
Erin Crocker Evernham: Yes, I 100% agree with this caution. Even if there were only a few cars involved, it was right in the middle of the field and cars went airborne. Safety is priority.
Chris Knight: Let me say that I’m all about safety and green flag finishes, but in Sunday’s case, I felt NASCAR did the right thing by throwing the caution. When I saw Austin Dillon from the press box flying through the air, I thought to myself, this is going to be really big. Thankfully and somehow it only turned out to be a two-car incident. But, when you see a wreck as violent as that one and more importantly, a car go airborne like Dillon’s did, NASCAR has no choice.
I would like to see the G-W-C- rule be revisited however. I think that NASCAR races should end under green flag conditions, just like in ARCA.
If you want, you can keep the three-attempt rule, but just adjust it where if a green-flag finish isn’t completed by the first two-attempts, then if a yellow-flag waives on the last attempt, then the race will finish under caution. By doing that, you’re still keeping to the original rule (somewhat), but also allowing fans to see cars cross the finish line at full speed.
Adam Niemeyer: Remember last week when I said we needed to keep our eyes on the whole last-lap caution deal? Not to toot my own proverbial horn, but I just knew it would happen. I’m a huge proponent of letting the guys race back to the checkered flag, however this was actually a good call. I was worried about the hit Casey Mears took more than Austin Dillon. Mears slammed Dillon’s car. They needed to throw the yellow there, so I actually agree with NASCAR’s call.
Cary Strome: I am a race fan. I love nothing more than a race to the end. That is what I wanted to see happen. I understand why NASCAR issued the caution, because of the dangers involved with racing to the checkered flags. I think that freezing the field is something needs to be looked into. What happened to green, white, checkered?
Lori Tyler: Well, yes and no. I don’t believe allowing them to finish under the green would have been an issue where the wreck was concerned. However, I also understand their desire to maintain a safe finish for all involved. It most definitely changed what could have been a typical Talladega finish. I think we can all agree on that.
• Jimmie Johnson became the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point’s leader after the conclusion of the Talladega Superspeedway race. Will he become a six-time NSCS champion?
Ross Bynum: Anybody, but Jimmie! I think NASCAR had a good thing with Brad Keselowski last year being champion. He’s a lightning rod and, for better or worse, that creates interest and talk. Jimmie is boring, IMO. He’s a good ambassador for the sport, but is not very interesting.
Erin Crocker Evernham: Surprise Surprise :)
Chris Knight: I wasn’t so sure if Jimmie Johnson was going to leave Talladega with the point’s lead, especially after finding himself with none to draft with at the end of the race. But, the handling on Matt Kenseth’s Toyota faded and ultimately, the 48 team was able to capitalize on his misfortune. It’s not going to be impossible for someone to regain control of the top-spot, but Jimmie and Chad won’t go down without maybe the biggest fight of their lives.
Adam Niemeyer: This isn’t shocking. What is shocking is the fact that Johnson was basically a non-factor at the end of the race. Still, a good finish put him a few points ahead of Matt Kenseth heading to a track Johnson traditionally dominates.
• We learned late last week that Richard Petty Motorsports’ crew chief Todd Parrott was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR after violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Subsequently, Monday, Parrott was relieved of his duties at RPM. NASCAR’s been very strict with their policy. Is this good for the sport and should NASCAR make the type of substance public?
Ross Bynum: I think NASCAR should release what the substance was. They may be unable to for privacy reasons, but I think it keeps the speculation down. Is it worse for the series to say, “He tested positive for marijuana”, or for the media to say, “Heroin? Cocaine? What could it be?” However, strict substance abuse policies are critical for sports like NASCAR. There’s increased risk when a crack head may be working on your car. That not only endangers drivers, but also crew members and fans in the stands.
Erin Crocker Evernham: I think it is very important for NASCAR to police substance abuse. We need to keep the sport as clean as possible when people’s lives are on the line. It isn’t good for the sport to make headlines for this type of thing but it does show our fans that NASCAR is very serious about this. I don’t think it’s necessary for us to know the exact substance. That is a private matter and hopefully the person can have success with the Road to Recovery program.
Chris Knight: I applaud NASCAR for being so consistent in their substance abuse policy and it proves that no one is immune from the rule even if you are a driver or crew chief, but I would like to see NASCAR explore the options of unveiling the cause of the failed drug test. I know some may think it’s wrong to do, but I leave it on the person who failed the drug test to know that if they are caught doing something that may violate that term, they could be at risk for being completely exposed.
Personally, I was shocked by RPM’s decision to relieve Todd Parrott of his duties. But, it just goes to show that the organization has a zero-tolerance policy and none is bulletproof from that, even if it is the crew chief.
Adam Niemeyer: This is a good move for the sport, but I don’t think they need to make it public unless the offender says they can. It’s not like these are steroids or other performance enhancing drugs like baseball and football have had to deal with. These substances are usually more serious, and I think that privacy is the best option for all parties involved.
Cary Strome: Of course the substance abuse police is good for the sport. The fact that someone from this sport in violation of it will tarnish the sport that is for sure. I would like to know because I want to know what is going on in the sport, however they should not have to make it public. These guys and girls get looked at through a microscope to much as it is. If Mr. Parrott feels the need to let the public know then he has the ability.
Lori Tyler: Inquiring minds what to know, and all. However, I can also see how that could quickly become a HIPAA issue and infringe on a patient’s right to privacy. With my professional background, I may arrive at that decision sooner than others, but if I were in NASCAR’s shoes, I don’t believe that I would publicly announce it, either.
• Lee Spencer from FOX Sports has reported that Martin Truex Jr. will take over the vacated ride by Kurt Busch for 2014. Is this a better fit for Martin? Can the team have the same success next season?
Ross Bynum: I don’t think so. I don’t think Martin is the driver Kurt is. Kurt may be a jerk, but he’s a wheelman. Truex is not that guy.
Erin Crocker Evernham: I am not sure if t is a better fit necessarily, but I do think this will light a fire under Martin just like it did Kurt. With a single car team you have that underdog feel and I think as a driver that is motivating.
Chris Knight: First, I think Lee Spencer does a great job for our industry and I hope we can learn from her in some capacity.
Secondly, it is without a doubt going to be extremely difficult to match what Kurt Busch has done with the Furniture Row Racing team in 2013. I think Martin Truex Jr. is very talented and can do great things, but he has some mighty big shoes to fill.
While, I think Kurt has taught the FRR team a lot this season, I think Truex can do the same and vice-versa. We know he’s a championship-caliber driver and if Busch isn’t able to put that team back in Victory Lane before years end, I think Truex can do that for them in 2014.
The team will have some momentum going into ‘14, wherever they finish in the Chase, because of their success in 2013, the pivotal point will be seeing how well Truex adapts to those new surroundings and if the chemistry is right.
Adam Niemeyer: Hard to say that it could be a worse fit for Martin Truex Jr. He started with DEI, which worked closely with RCR, so this move to the No. 78, if true, will help him get back to his Chevy days. I think MTJ is a good driver and I hope he does well, but I’m not sure the team will have the same success with him as they have with Kurt this year.
Cary Strome: I think that Truex Jr. will be a good fit with FRR. Kurt Bush and Martin Truex Jr. have two different driving styles but, I see no reason why he cannot share the same success with that team.
Lori Tyler: This is a great team. Martin is a great driver. We have seen this work wonderfully in the past, and other times we may have expected great things from a team that just didn’t quite pull off the results. Time will tell, but Truex is a very talented driver, and can certainly be expected to do the very best he can to take that team as far as he is capable of.
• This weekend, the series heads from their biggest track to the smallest track and attacks Martinsville (Va.) Speedway this Sunday for their traditional 500-lap fall event. What are your thoughts about the race?
Ross Bynum: Let’s be honest, short track racing is NASCAR at its best. Just like IndyCar needs more ovals, NASCAR needs more short tracks.
Erin Crocker Evernham: I enjoy the Martinsville races. They are different than any other races we have all year long. Real true short track racing and tempers always seem to be high by the end of the race!
Chris Knight: Wham Bam Thank You Mam.
It’s 500 laps of true short track racing. There are going to be some bruised egos I’m sure at the end of the race, but it should be a good show. It will be interesting to see how the cooler temperatures will truly affect the cars for the race. As always, you have to keep your eye on Jimmie Johnson, but I’m looking at Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (of course) as some drivers are interest to me.
Adam Niemeyer: Martinsville is always a place that interests me because of the difficulty of the track. This is a track that requires patience from the driver as brakes can overheat and cause massive problems in a hurry if drivers wear on their equipment too much. And of course a flawless set up has to be there in order to help as much as possible with the braking issue. If I had to pick a winner, I’d pick either Jimmie Johnson or Denny Hamlin. Both have been strong at Martinsville in their careers
Cary Strome: If you look back the winner from Martinsville has gone one to win the chase a few times. I seems as it’s a staple for Jimmie Johnson. If Jimmie wins in Martinsville, look out guys!
Lori Tyler: I love this track! Martinsville rarely disappoints. It will be quite a different change of pace from the nail-biting 200 mph anxiety fest that is Talladega, but I couldn’t think of a track I would rather go afterward!
