Musings on Schuie, Dario, et al
The motorsports world will have it’s collective eyes and ears trained on Monza this weekend, not just for the annual Gran Prix there, but for “The Announcement”. For those under a rock or too busy watching the tin-toppers sort out their chase madness, Michael Schumacher, widely considered the best race car driver the world has ever seen is on the cusp of retirement. At least that is the speculation. If it plays out to script, Shuie will end up atop the podium and then announce to the world that this is his last season and his plans to go out on top. If so, this will bring to a close one of the finest driving performances in history. Personally, although I have always admired Schu, I would have loved to see him drive during a more competitive era, perhaps one where the cars and tires weren’t so much to his advantage. Perhaps we’ll get lucky and he’ll get behind the wheel of a sports car or something where we can assess his skills on a more level field…
Think Dario Franchitti is out at Andretti Green Racing? Methinks the concussion at he received over in England during a vintage car event proves suspiciously convenient at best. It seems a long way from the cozy environment Dario had at AGR at the end of last year where teammate Tony Kanaan pulled over and let him win the season finale at California. Amazing what happens when contracts are up…
Placing A.J. Foyt IV behind the wheel of Franchitti’s car is like giving a chimp a bazooka. Advice to IRL drivers, officials and fans: TAKE COVER!
I love Jeff Burton. He’s a smart racer and I think he’s had a lot to do with the turn-around at RCR. He’s a class act through and through. Plus he’s my age, so he is someone I can identify with – I’d love to see him make the chase. But I can’t in good conscience place him in the chase and omit Kasey Kahne. Kasey has 5 wins now, and Burton, though more consistent, has none. In fact, I think Burton and crew have found more ways to LOSE races in the late-going than anyone else this year. I personally like the make-up of this year’s chase contenders, but if I had to choose someone to replace a deserving Kahne with, it would have to be Burton…
When the market value of a race team drops, the suitors come a-running. This is the case with the once proud and prominent Robert Yates Racing, who has fallen upon lean times. Robby Gordon and Mark Martin both have apparently had serious discussions about purchasing and becoming partners with Yates, who himself seems less and less interested in being a hands-on NASCAR owner. Though Martin’s people have denied it, there is talk of him racing the 2007 season behind the wheel of the #88 car, which would be a blessing for newcomer David Gilliland who could use a veteran like Martin as a stablemate (emphasis on the word “stable”).
One question about Mark Martin’s potential involvement at an ownership level at RYR: What happens to his “part ownership” of the #17 at Roush? How does this gibe with NASCAR and it’s forthcoming limitations on car ownership?
Want a dark-horse pick for this week’s Richmond night races? Take rookie-of-the-year candidate Clint Bowyer – He finished 3rd here back in the spring Cup race and has been driving smart and fast lately. Plus, he’s running a Red Hot Chili Peppers car in the Busch Series race the night before – Too frakin’ cool! “Down in the valley she was saving the best for last. It only hurts when I laugh. Goin’ too fast…”
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