PRE TEXAS GUM FLAPPING!

Ok, Martinsville was Ryan's last mulligan hopefully?

I often wondered how many DNF'S Newman has had in his career in comparison to the wonder boy Jimmie Johnson. They both started their Cup careers the same year(2002) and Newman was awarded,"Rookie Of The Year" over five times. No one could have predicted that JJ would end up with the better race team and cars from 2002 to current along with incredible good racing luck. Jimmie has had 30 DNF'S to Ryan's 44(the #12 car and the #39). Ryan also had 3 DNF'S with the #02 car. So, JJ has had 14 less DNF'S in his Cup career to Newman's 44......huum...makes a BIG difference doesn't it! I have always made comparisons between JJ and Ryan because they both started the same year in Cup. But, very obviously each of their resumes have turned out to be very different!

Newman's Texas number are as follows:1-win/3-top 5's/3-top 10's/8-top 20's/2-poles.....Avg. Start 15.4 Avg. Finish 21.47 and 3-DNF'S. Let's face it, stats and trends can be broken. We will know by the end of this race.

Texas is a Saturday night race don't forget! Come on Team #39, let's get back on track so to speak!

YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU WISH!

I agree that the 39 needs to get back to this years form at Texas. I also agree that Ryans lack of good equipment has hindered his stats through out his career has definately held him back. His luck has also not been real favorable either but I think thats about to change this year. Ryan is having a great start to this season and will continue to get better. SHR will ensure that he gets good equipment and a good support team around him. Go Ryan and go team 39. Everything is big in Texas this wek will be big for Newman!!!!!

penske has never been a solid team, all the focus went to rusty,dodge has always been behind the 8 ball, so team management has A LOT to do with a teams success and as everyone HMS excels in that area. also just because you have good gear doesnt make ya a winner, there are many tangibles and talent is one, which many people dismiss when talking bout JJ, everyone calls it luck, great cars, chad, pit crew, i would say it takes a combination of all 5 to complete a team

penske has never been a solid team, all the focus went to rusty,dodge has always been behind the 8 ball, so team management has A LOT to do with a teams success and as everyone HMS excels in that area. also just because you have good gear doesnt make ya a winner, there are many tangibles and talent is one, which many people dismiss when talking bout JJ, everyone calls it luck, great cars, chad, pit crew, i would say it takes a combination of all 5 to complete a team

I believe JJ has plenty of talent. I think people just talk more about his have's teamwise than his have not's which makes it look like JJ is being sold short when it comes to talent. I dont think JJ is the best "driver" in cup, but I do think he is one of the more intelligent drivers in the series, which is a must this day & age. Which makes him one of the best drivers in cup. Put that with all the 48 team has to offer & we have instant envy (from this Ryan fan anyways) I would love to see what Ryan could do with a team like that. As it is, I am liking this season so far. Even with 7 cylinders he finished 20th a lap down & managed to pass Edwards (who was on the lead lap) That is how strong Ryans car was before the problem. I am not a fan of Gibson, but I will say listening to him on the radio he is different than last season. He is talking with more confidence instead of talking almost in a asking a question way. & even can make a few combinations of changes to the handling, where last year he was as about basic as you could get. Still dont believe he is a championship caliber CC but I do see some positive changes in him this year.
Anyways, JJ has a lot of talent, I think when those of us bring up all the extras he has (not including the trolls) at HMS, it is a simplistic way of saying whatever other driver is being talked about has a lot of talent as well & stats dont tell a true story on Driver talent. Those of us that arent JJ fans are jealous of his situation. So when the defenses come up it may turn into or perceived as saying he isnt talented or the famous he wouldnt have won 5 chases without the 48 team. But in my case I acknowledge his skills. (probably not as much as you do, but....)

Hmmmmm,interesting and i agree with alot of the comments and i guess now we know what Harvick was missing because it takes alot more than driver talent these days and always has.The only year i can remember Rusty Wallace had a real chance for the Cup was "93" and i never considered Penske a serious contender compared to what he puts into his IRL teams.Rick Hendrick i never cared for at all,he's a shifty, sneaky ect.ect.but i did like some of his drivers over the years,starting with Tim Richmond.Don't have a thing against Ryan,i always liked Ryan,i just haven't seen anything differant from him as a driver with SHR vs Penske.Jimmie Johnson has it all, he knows how to use it to his advantage and he may not be the most exciting driver but i will agree he's amoung the best,but not the best.Dominating drivers or teams i should say,mean only one thing and it has been like that and always will be like that,they're in the dark gray area.They all do it,just some are better at doing it and hiding it.Sooner or later they all get caught and just about every team out there has done it at one time or another.

I'm just glad Ryan is with a team that wants him and believes in him. It's a shame Roger wasn't a little more like Tony, Joe Gibbs and others who take an active interest in their drivers. I've always felt Penske was like a block of ice and that doesn't make for great leadership. First thing I'd require if I were his press agent is to get him to smile once in awhile.

Roger likes to dabble and at one time was in bed with Detriot Diesel,Chrysler and many others .The only Cup team still running Chryslers are of course Penske and to be honest,of the three major American brands,Chrysler is the worst in resale value and not the best in dependability or longevity.Would have to say,pretty much like his Cup teams.lol Admire the man for the most part,but on the other hand i just as soon not say, as i'm sure Ryan wouldn't either.Detroit Diesel i will give Roger credit for,but the real credit goes to the former engineer of Cummins that worked for Roger that designed the 60 series and got Detriot Diesel back on it's feet. Good engine too,i must admit and i'm a Cat eng.kinda guy.