The NASCAR Discussion Thread! Come in and discuss all things NASCAR!

I'm not sure why Gordon has a car. Is it because his name is Jeff Gordon? Besides, he had the TPM car(which I didn't buy because it was Gordon... )

I can't wait to hear the interviews Sadler and Jarrett are going to give.

"Yeah, the Force was with us on this qualifying run. The Star Wars Ford was running great!" Sadler's and Jarrett's accent should make it even greater.

 

The Yates are probably going to be OT M&M's cars and Gordon will have the actualy RotS car.

 

Besides, he had the TPM car(which I didn't buy because it was Gordon...

I didn't buy a 1:24 version of the car because it has Jar Jar Binks on the quarter panel.

Now, a die-cast with Darth Vader on it? I'd trade in a kidney for one of those.

 

Hey all!

Been gone for a while.

Work is really eating into my playtime!!

"am I the only one who is curious what would happen in the corkscrew at Laguna Seca?"

I gave it a little thought and all I can see is 3600 pound stock cars flying and getting stuck in the sand. I watched a little of the awards banquet and turned it off about the time they had Scott Stapp "singing" (can't stand the guy) Anyway I am excited for testing time to roll around and another season gets under way!!

 

Remember what I said about Nextel's contract with na$car being too much money and there was no way they would finish out their 7-year deal? Well, I didn't think it would be over within one year.

As a Petty fan, it does tick me off that Sprint couldn't sponsor the 45 car, but now can afford to buy one of its competitors.

If anything this should nullify the exclusivity part of the contract and allow Verizon into Cup, and Cingular to switch cars if it wants to.

Just another part of the continuing implosion of na$car.


Sprint to buy Nextel

 

Why couldn't the Cingular/AT&T moster buy Nextel? That'd mean I could get Fanscan.

Wow, that's interesting. I wonder if it will be the Sprint Cup next year? Sounds better.

 

No way the gov't would allow it if we tried to buy Nextel in addition to AT&T Wireless. Plus, they use a totally different technology from us. It's going to be more costly for Sprint & Nextel to merge, as their technologies do not match either.

 

Wow, that's interesting. I wonder if it will be the Sprint Cup next year? Sounds better.

I'm predicting it will be the Nextel Sprint for the Cup.

 

Sounds awesome.

[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Jedi-Anakin-Solo/untitled2.jpg]

 

Nice job there, J-A-S.

Anyone catch 3? Yeah, I know it will be on like 1000 times this month, but I watched it tonight. I wasn't expecting much but it turned out pretty good. The guy who played Jr did an awesome job, and Pepper was solid as Sr overall. The racing scenes weren't perfect(no nascar movie has provided perfect racing scenes), but they do the job. Nice that they showed footage from real races in some parts.

Overall, [image=http://simcentral.sports-gaming.com/DETribute/number3.JPG] out of 4 stars.

 

Taped it for my brother-in-law, he lives up in the mountains and doesn't have cable or satellite. He's a big time Earnhardt fan.

The guy that plays Jr is a driving instructor at one of the race schools around Charlotte. Barry Pepper saw him when he was learning how to drive there, and asked him if he'd ever done any acting and of course the answer was no. Barry was amazed at how much this guy looked and sounded like Jr. and asked him to read for the part anyway. He did, and they cast him as Jr.

The race scenes were probably the best I've seen in a film about racing. The continuity was pretty good, and having the ESPN archival footage on hand added even more to the film. They also got some of the old CBS and ABC Wide World of Sports footage.

The acting was letter perfect by all involved. Teresa is much prettier in the film than in real life. She always reminded me of Skeletor from Masters of the Universe (as does Maria Shriver). But in the film, her knowledge and understanding of the racing business are shown from the get-go, which is pretty much the way it was in real life.

Barry Pepper is an amazing actor. He didn't have the voice down perfect, but it was close enough. And the mustache wasn't nearly as gaudy and grotesque as the real Dale's. However, his mannerisms, especially those little face ticks, sqiunted eyes, and chewing of the inside of the cheeks, was unmistakable Earnhardt. The hair and make-up aged him right along, very close to the real Dale, until the end. The hair was right but the mustache wasn't big enough, and the double chin wasn't there. Pepper's face is much more angular than Earnhardt's and that was too noticable in the film during all the ages portrayed.

On a down note, the guy that played Neil Bonnett looked and sounded NOTHING like the real Neil Bonnett. I mean it's like having Screech from Saved By The Bell trying to portray Kyle Petty, it's that far off. Plus I think the actor that played Bonnett is the same guy that played Buddy Brotherton from Days of Thunder. If not, then he sure did a good job of making the Bonnett character look like Brotherton instead of the real Neil Bonnett. And Richard Childress, in their meeting in 1980, is WAY too fat in that scene. RC didn't look like that at all back then, he didn't have any money yet. Otherwise he's very passable for RC.

On the flipside, the guy that played Darrell Waltrip looked and sounded so much like Waltrip from back then it was scary. And the guy that plays Kerry Earnhardt looks just like him also. All of which makes one wonder if they could get Dale, Jr, Kerry, Waltrip, Childress, and Teresa to all look pretty close to the real people, why the hell was Neil Bonnett's portrayal so far off?

The story was better than I expected. It really did focus more on the relationships with his family and (few) friends instead of his racing career just as they said it would. NONE of the races for the 7 titles were covered, in fact, the first 3 are barely mentioned, the last 4 aren't mentioned at all until some point later he's talking about having 7 titles. The ending should have shown more of the crash and Waltrip and Jr leading and his blocking, but the final cut scene is done perfectly.

The only things that could have been better would be more of his rivalries (Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Geoffrey Bodine, and Jeff Gordon aren't even mentioned and it's a shame), and closer attention to some of his more famous and infamous races (1986 Bristol, 1992 Winston, 1993 Talladega, 1996 Talladega, his Brickyard win, 1999 Bristol, 1990 Daytona, his two losses to Jarrett at Daytona, 2000 Talladega, and 2000 Homestead where he was a maniac on the track because there was nothing he could do to catch Labonte and was hitting everybody near him almost every lap). Also, his relationships with his sons, while explored and covered very well, could have been done even deeper.

We're also left with the impression that Jr has "it" from a very early age, and Kerry doesn't. In real life, "it" is defined as top notch equipment and constant feedback

 

On a down note, the guy that played Neil Bonnett looked and sounded NOTHING like the real Neil Bonnett.

I thought he was more like Eanrhardt at times. I agree, he wasn't close to bening Neil.

And Richard Childress, in their meeting in 1980, is WAY too fat in that scene.

I thought he was too fat through the whole movie. He did look like him, though.

On the flipside, the guy that played Darrell Waltrip looked and sounded so much like Waltrip from back then it was scary.

I didn't think he looked like him at all. Darrell hasn't changed much from then until now, I think.

And the guy that plays Kerry Earnhardt looks just like him also.

Agreed. I thought the guy who played Jr. sounded EXACTLY like him. I thought maybe Jr. was dubbed in.

 

Teresa is much prettier in the film than in real life. She always reminded me of Skeletor from Masters of the Universe



The only things that could have been better would be more of his rivalries (Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Geoffrey Bodine, and Jeff Gordon aren't even mentioned and it's a shame)

After seeing the movie, I'm kind of glad that Rusty wasn't part of the story. He would've been portrayed as an evil rival like Waltrip was.

On a down note, the guy that played Neil Bonnett looked and sounded NOTHING like the real Neil Bonnett. I mean it's like having Screech from Saved By The Bell trying to portray Kyle Petty, it's that far off. Plus I think the actor that played Bonnett is the same guy that played Buddy Brotherton from Days of Thunder.

Yeah, they could've done better with Bonnett. And I think the guy you're talking about in Days of Thunder was Buck Brotherton played by John C. Reilly. Buddy Brotherton was the guy killed in the Daytona 500. I think I know too much about this movie. I even know who Aldo Bennedetti is.

Sorry Moon, but I can't believe you think Speedway is better than Days of Thunder. I like Elvis the singer, but I just don't get Elvis the actor. I turned that movie off halfway through because I had enough of the dancing.

I do agree with you about Six Pack though. Kids on a pit crew? Give me a friggin' break.

 

Stroker Ace is the only other movie I've seen all of. Harry Gant has the best line in the movie:

"Aw man, here I go again!"

I'm still can't belive that Nascar actually let them film the scenes for Days of Thunder during the Daytona 500.

 

I only saw the last 45 min. of the movie 3, so my review will come later.

So far, I have to say that Barry Pepper looks like an anorexic Dale Earnhardt. And Dale Jr.'s character looks nothing like the real guy either.

 

Daytona qualifying races get longer

Name change also revealed for February events

By DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer


Qualifying races that help set the field for the Daytona 500 will be 25 miles longer and have a new name in 2005.
The races, formerly called the Gatorade 125s, will now be known as the Gatorade Duel at Daytona. Each race will now go for 150 miles, a move that could force teams to adjust their pit-stop strategies at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

There also will be a longer break between the races, which will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, during Speedweeks in 2005.

The qualifying races began in 1959 for the first Daytona 500 and were 100 miles each until 1969, when they were extended to 125.

Qualifying for the 2005 Daytona 500 will begin on Sunday, Feb. 13. Only the two fastest cars secure starting spots for the 500 on that day, the front-row spots on the starting grid.

Speeds from that qualifying session are used to determine the lineup for the Gatorade Duel, with drivers in odd-numbered positions in the qualifying results in the first 150-miler and those in the even-numbered slots going into the second qualifying race.

The top-14 finishers - aside from the driver already assured of a front-row spot in the 500 - in each qualifier will line up in order of finish starting with Row 2 for the 500. Finishers from the first Duel race will get the inside spots on each row, with finishers from the second getting the outside spots.

The remaining spots in the 43-car field are awarded based on qualifying speeds and provisionals.

Did Brian "**** for brains" France ever hear the expression, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Geez, they're changing everything. Next thing you know they'll make the cars go the opposite direction on the tracks.

 

So far, I have to say that Barry Pepper looks like an anorexic Dale Earnhardt. And Dale Jr.'s character looks nothing like the real guy either.

Barry was not only a little skinny but he was also too short. The kid who played Dale Jr looked just like him and sounded like him as well.

Great movie.


Daytona qualifying races get longer

That is not a good idea; you race with the car your using in the 500 so now you have a bigger chance of wrecking that car. But don?t worry, as soon as Dale Jr happens to wreck on the last lap the fans will be in an up rage for NASCAR to make the race shorter again.



Oh yeah... I?m the new guy in the NASCAR forum, what?s up?

 

Welcome to the thread, Force-Keeper.

You came at a bad time though. Not much to talk about during the offseason.

 

Geez, they're changing everything. Next thing you know they'll make the cars go the opposite direction on the tracks.


I've always wanted them to do that.

Hmm. Gatorade Duels. Yes and No. It was fine before, this may work better, it may not. I'm not sure...

Welcome, Force-Keeper! Can I ask what you're favorite driver is? No need to be afraid, there's quite a range here.

[image=http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000642008.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg]

The DVD is at Amazon.com for $25.

DVD Features:
Available subtitles: Spanish, French
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Exclusive interviews with Dale Earnhardt from the EPSN archives
"3 Nation: The Life of Legacy of Dale Earnhardt" Documentary
Race footage from ESPN
"An Inside Look at the Legend"
Making-of featurette
Number of discs: 2

I'd be going insane if I was an Earnhardt fan. I'm not, and I still want this.

 

Welcome, Force-Keeper! Can I ask what you're favorite driver is? No need to be afraid, there's quite a range here.

I like Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne. It's tough for me to just have one favorite because I like them all but yeah those two are top of my list.

You came at a bad time though. Not much to talk about during the offseason.

Too true, but I needed my NASCAR fix.

 

Welcome to the thread Force-Keeper!

I like Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson.

[image=http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/images/smilies/wall.gif]

No matter, Khane is awesome. It will be cool to talk to a new guy on here about Nascar.

I'm not going to comment on Brian ****-for-brains France's changes. I just lose it every time he does something like this. I hate that man so much. AAUGH!! He's fully responsible for killing this sport.

Mak, I do agree on the future changes. The cars just might be turning right instead of left soon.

Thought some of these were funny.

Top 10 Signs to Post in a NASCAR Driver's Yard

10. Brendan Gaughan- Will drive for food.

9. Dale Jarrett- Don?t make me go Postal.

8. Terry Labonte- Gee guys, thanks for the GREEEEAAAT equipment this year.

7. Robby Gordon- This house is protected by Sasquatch

6. Morgan Shepherd- Smile! Jesus Loves You.

5. Morgan McClure Motorsports- "Help Wanted. Driver with multi-million dollar sponsor and fear of long term committments"

4. Michael Waltrip- This house brought to you by NAPA, Dominos Pizza, Best Western, Aaron's Rent...

3. Jeff Burton- "Have you driven a Ford lately?"

2. Dale Junior "Posted: no hunting, trapping or stalking"

1. Matt Kenseth "Screw you!" Dewalt Power tools




Still haven't seen most of 3. My dad said he saw enough of it, he didn't like it at all. He said the racing just sucked, the characters weren't believable, especially Neil, etc.

 

My dad said he saw enough of it, he didn't like it at all. He said the racing just sucked, the characters weren't believable, especially Neil, etc.


The racing was not that bad. Something that did bother me was the fact that they never showed him winning the Winston Cup they just talked about it.


The guy who played Humpy Wheeler looked just like him, it was uncanny.

 

6. Morgan Shepherd- Smile! Jesus Loves You.

ROFL!!!

The racing was not that bad. Something that did bother me was the fact that they never showed him winning the Winston Cup they just talked about it.

IMO, it should have been a full two hours. They could have gone into the racing deatl a lot more if they had the time. They didn't because they were trying to focus on his life and didn't have much time for the whole 1990's.

 

Here are some 05? paint schemes from over at NASCAR.com

[image=http://nascar.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1717998dt.jpg]
[image=http://nascar.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1717978dt.jpg]
[image=http://nascar.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1754254dt.jpg]
[image=http://nascar.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1717967dt.jpg]
[image=http://nascar.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1777224dt.jpg]

 

Looks like they got lazy with Tony Stewarts scheme, huh?

I read that Rusty's primary scheme next year will be powder blue with lightning bolts. Should be awesome. Also read he will have 10 special schemes(to sell die-casts).