FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.............

It would be difficult for me to believe Brad K because he won a championship is the best driver ever. There are so many drivers from the beginning until the chase of 2012 would disagree. Actually there is many variables that could have changed the outcome over the years. The most obvious is the tieTony and Carl had. They both ended the season tied in points but to announce a winner it was the 5 wins Tony had over Carl's 1 that won him the championship. Did that make Carl a bad driver? No of course not as he was beat by a guy that found whatever it is we get when we want something so badly we'll go after it with all we have. That magic (I believe) followed Tony the entire race and he and the #14 team used it to the hilt. I have always felt that when Tony wanted to change things in 2011 before the chase he went for it with all he had and while the 14 team was at it they made history.

It would be difficult for me to believe Brad K because he won a championship is the best driver ever. There are so many drivers from the beginning until the chase of 2012 would disagree. Actually there is many variables that could have changed the outcome over the years.

I know what you mean. How do you judge a Nascar driver? There are so many variables in judging a Nascar driver. All of them know how to drive but there's a million things that go along with that race team position!

I think now-a-days it's better to have a creative Crew Chief and elite engineers. You can pretty much put any fairly qualified driver in the seat of the race car! Doesn't hurt in having superior race cars either!

I think there is a certain amount of skill involved with driving in Nascar but let's face it. A slow race car can't possibly win races no matter how great the drivers talent may be! Yes I agree there may be a faster way around a race track that only a great driver may be able to find. But, a badly balanced race car will NEVER find it's way to Victory Lane.

Ryan Newman has had very little consistency in his entire racing career! Different Crew Chiefs. Different car manufacturers. Different aero front end experiments with Penske. (Ford,Dodge Intrepid/Charger now Chevy) Not blaming anyone in general. Just stating facts. It's no wonder he's struggled! He needs to find a racing home with a steady family. Now this year, he's got more change to deal with all around.(Crew Chief/Race Car) We can only hope they get it all figured out and fast!

I have to totally agree. With the Tec men that are available it is so much more to racing than jumping into a car and wheeling around a dirt track. BUT if we did not have those days we would have nothing. My first race I ever saw was a 1/2 mile dirt track and I was addicted to watching racing at every level. Actually I loved old school drivers and everything that went with it. I read a blog from Darrell Waltrip yesterday that suggested using retired drivers as racing coaches. Something like football etc. I'm not sure I'm for that. Let the driver listen to his team and then get out on the track and race like they've always raced. I don't want to see the Elliott kid race like Jeff Gordon. Not that Jeff wouldn't be a good coach just let the racer figure it out. He'll get enough advice from his crew chief. Actually I'd like to see opinions of others on these thoughts.

I have to totally agree. With the Tec men that are available it is so much more to racing than jumping into a car and wheeling around a dirt track. BUT if we did not have those days we would have nothing. My first race I ever saw was a 1/2 mile dirt track and I was addicted to watching racing at every level. Actually I loved old school drivers and everything that went with it. I read a blog from Darrell Waltrip yesterday that suggested using retired drivers as racing coaches. Something like football etc. I'm not sure I'm for that. Let the driver listen to his team and then get out on the track and race like they've always raced. I don't want to see the Elliott kid race like Jeff Gordon. Not that Jeff wouldn't be a good coach just let the racer figure it out. He'll get enough advice from his crew chief. Actually I'd like to see opinions of others on these thoughts.

Ryan Newman was coached by Buddy Baker back in his Penske days. They both spent a lot of time together back then. Not sure if Buddy is still helping Ryan?

I know what you mean about old school. Nascar racing has endured a lot of changes since it's inception. And each race team has to keep up with the times. A lot of money doesn't hurt either.

I read that Newman's entire race team will be brand new this year! So, everything with Team #39 will be brand spankin new. A fresh start for Ryan. Have to wait and see the results?

I only hope his new crew is smart enough to get it all figured out within a short amount of time. Been waiting for Ryan to have a racers year with little mistakes and good racing luck. He's had way to many bad years and mostly not his fault.............