The First Reid: Customer Success ‘Good News-Bad News’ For Hendrick Motorsports
By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service
Here’s a piece of friendly advice for Kurt Busch, Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner at Martinsville:
Keep the comments about the value of Hendrick Motorsports equipment to a minimum.
Here’s a piece of friendly advice for Kurt Busch, Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner at Martinsville:
Keep the comments about the value of Hendrick Motorsports equipment to a minimum.
That, of course, runs contrary to a driver’s ingrained tendency to thank
everyone who had a hand in his visit to Victory Lane.
In at least
three separate post-race interviews, Busch used the “If you can’t beat
‘em, join ‘em” mantra in explaining how Hendrick chassis and motors
helped him beat Hendrick driver
Jimmie Johnson to the finish line in the STP 500.
Busch is the second Stewart-Haas driver to win this year in a “customer car” supplied by Hendrick. Yes, Stewart-Haas does its own preparation and set-up, but the baseline product is the same as that used by Hendrick Prime.
Back in 2010, Jeff Gordon said that the Hendrick relationship with Stewart-Haas wasn’t a problem, even if Stewart-Haas was winning, unless “they’re winning and we’re finishing second.” That’s what happened on Sunday.
So far this year, Stewart-Hass has two wins with two different drivers (Busch and Kevin Harvick) and, presumably, two spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Busch is the second Stewart-Haas driver to win this year in a “customer car” supplied by Hendrick. Yes, Stewart-Haas does its own preparation and set-up, but the baseline product is the same as that used by Hendrick Prime.
Back in 2010, Jeff Gordon said that the Hendrick relationship with Stewart-Haas wasn’t a problem, even if Stewart-Haas was winning, unless “they’re winning and we’re finishing second.” That’s what happened on Sunday.
So far this year, Stewart-Hass has two wins with two different drivers (Busch and Kevin Harvick) and, presumably, two spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
For Hendrick, only Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been to Victory Lane.
So it might be wise for the Stewart-Haas guys to soft-pedal the Hendrick relationship, publicly at least.
Remember, Rick Hendrick scrapped his engine deal with Joe Gibbs Racing in the mid-1990s when Bobby Labonte started beating Gordon a little too often.
So it might be wise for the Stewart-Haas guys to soft-pedal the Hendrick relationship, publicly at least.
Remember, Rick Hendrick scrapped his engine deal with Joe Gibbs Racing in the mid-1990s when Bobby Labonte started beating Gordon a little too often.
@nascarcasm
Caption: Air Titan 2.0 – the spawn of Air Titan 1.0 and Dr. Octopus … apparently.
·
Martinsville – oft referred to as the hot-dog-eating contest with a race thrown into the middle.
·
Kurt
Busch was able to pass and hold off Jimmie Johnson for the win, which is
good, because one more grandfather clock for Jimmie and we’d have to
call “Hoarders.”
·
Jimmie Johnson is now winless through
six whole races. But don’t expect him to be winless for the entire regular season. He would have to
not win 26 straight. Only the Philadelphia 76ers are capable of such a feat.
·
For all
who may have called for lights to be installed at Martinsville
Speedway, be warned that merely adding lights to a storied venue does
not necessarily improve
the product. Just ask the Chicago Cubs.
(Follow @nascarcasm on Twitter. His unique views on NASCAR are his own – but chances are you already knew that.)
NASCAR Numbers
By Reid Spencer
50:
The combined number of lead changes during Sunday’s
NASCAR Sprint Cup/Camping World Truck Series doubleheader at
Martinsville Speedway. There were 33 lead changes in the STP 500 Sprint
Cup race and 17 in the Kroger 250 Truck Series event, both record
numbers.
296:
The number of laps led by Jimmie Johnson in
Sunday’s STP 500, the third- highest total at Martinsville Speedway for
the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Johnson led 346 laps in
winning last year’s spring race and 339 laps in winning the Chase race
in 2008. But on Sunday, Kurt Busch led the
lap that counted.
756:
The total number of laps run at Martinsville Speedway
on Sunday during the NASCAR Sprint Cup/Camping World Truck Series
doubleheader at Martinsville. After rain forced postponement of the
Truck race from Saturday, it was a remarkable accomplishment
logistically to finish both races within a tight time window—especially
since the Truck race went to two overtimes.
12:
The number of different winners in the first 12
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway. There wasn’t a
repeat winner at the 1.5-mile speedway until Jeff Burton, victor in the
inaugural race at Texas in 1997, took the checkered flag in the Apr. 15,
2007 Samsung 500.
7:
The number of drivers who have won multiple races
at Texas Motor Speedway. Juxtaposed with the previous number, that
might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s fact nonetheless. Jimmie Johnson
and Carl Edwards lead the parade with three victories each. Double
winners are Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle,
Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR ETC.
Kurt
Busch – a somewhat surprise winner at Martinsville Speedway – became
the sixth different winner in the first six races this season.
That’s the longest stretch of unique winners to start a season in the
Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup era, and the longest overall since 2003 –
when there were nine different winners to the start the season. The
record for consecutive different winners to
start a season – 10, in 2000. And for the record, after 26 races in
2000, there were still only 15 different winners. So, historically
speaking, this year’s winners should still feel comfortable in their
chances of making the Chase. … Kurt’s brother Kyle Busch
won the Coors Light Pole at Martinsville on Saturday, making it six
different pole winners in the first six races. That hasn’t happened
since 1998. … The Kyle Busch laps led milestone watch continues. He now
stands at 9,960 career laps led, 40 away from becoming
the 15th driver in NASCAR national series history to accomplish the
feat. In 17 races at Texas Motor Speedway, Busch has led 40 or more laps
five times.
Tweets Of The Week
Jeff Gordon
@JeffGordonWeb Tough 12th place yesterday @MartinsvilleSwy. Can promise #team24 not taking that one lightly.
Brad Keselowski
@keselowski
Not that it matters to the media, but I never blamed Kurt for the accident. I blamed him for not lifting and making it worse.
Kurt Busch
@KurtBusch
This last two weeks has
been great for my grandma & parents. Busch bros win back to back! My
grandma is always 1st to call after a race.
Jimmie Johnson
@JimmieJohnson
That was some awesome short track racing. I wish we were in victory lane but congrats @KurtBusch & @StewartHaasRcng.
Clint Bowyer
Denny Hamlin
@dennyhamlin: What a absolute mess our car was.. .We needed to pull that baby in the garage for about 2 hrs to fix it.
Ouch. Happy for @KurtBusch.
Tune-In: NASCAR On Television, Week of March 31-April 6
Monday, March 31
4 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 2
3:30 a.m. (Tue.), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at Martinsville re-air, FOX Sports 1
Tuesday, April 1
Noon, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 2
2:30 a.m. (Wed.), NASCAR Now, ESPN2
3 a.m. (Wed.), NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Martinsville re-air, FOX Sports 1
Wednesday, April 2
11 a.m., American Pickers: NASCAR Challenges, History Channel
Noon, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
Noon, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 2
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 2
Thursday, April 3
Noon, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 2
2 a.m. (Fri.), NASCAR’s The List: Memorable Moments,
NBC Sports Network
2:30 a.m. (Fri.), NASCAR’s The List: Fights & Feuds, NBC Sports Network
2:30 a.m., NASCAR Now, ESPN2
Friday, April 4
Noon, NASCAR K&N Pro Series Race at Irwindale, FOX Sports 1
4 p.m., NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying, FOX Sports 1
5:30 p.m., NASCAR Live, FOX Sports 1
6 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice, FOX Sports 1
8 p.m., NASCAR Nationwide Countdown, ESPN2
8:30 p.m., NASCAR Nationwide Race at Texas, ESPN2
2 a.m. (Sat.), NASCAR’s The List: Memorable Moments, NBC Sports Network
2:30 a.m. (Sat.), NASCAR Nationwide Race at Texas re-air, ESPN2
2:30 a.m. (Sat.), NASCAR’s The List: Fights & Feuds, NBC Sports Network
3 a.m. (Sat.), NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice re-air, FOX Sports 1
4:30 a.m. (Sat.), NASCAR Nationwide Race at Texas,
ESPN Deportes
Saturday, April 5
5 a.m., NASCAR K&N Pro Series Race at Irwindale, FOX Sports 1
10:30 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Final Practice, FOX Sports 1
3 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying, FOX Sports 2
Sunday, April 6
1:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FOX Sports 1
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Pre-Race Show, FOX
8 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lane, FOX Sports 1
THIS WEEK
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
The Race:
Duck Commander 500
The Place:
Texas Motor Speedway
The Date/Time:
Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Radio:
PRN,
Sirius XM Channel 90
_______________________
NASCAR
NATIONWIDE SERIES
The Race:
O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
The Place:
Texas Motor Speedway
The Date/Time:
Friday, April 4, 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Radio:
PRN,
Sirius XM Channel 90
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