I'll be the first.......

[mattncsu02]

...redneck to post in the NASCAR section.

Congratulations to Hendrick Motorsports on 200 wins!

I'm a Dale Jr. fan first, but I've always pulled for all the Hendrick drivers and all the other Chevy teams for that matter. I hope Jr. gets a win this year, he's way over due.

I used to like Gibbs when Stewart and Labonte drove for him. Since he went with Toyota, I've lost interest.

Call me old fashioned, but there's something wrong with a Japanese automaker in NASCAR. Nothing against Toyota, it just ain't right!

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

Big E fan from way back, now Childress and Earnhardt-Ganassi are my teams due to the lineage.

In the interest of not starting an Inter-Wolfpack Jihad with you, I'll keep my thoughts about Hendrick to myself.

[mattncsu02]

Hey, fire away brother! I keep my NASCAR and ACC feelings seperate.

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

O.K.

Convicted felon, pardoned by a President who barely escaped impeachment, pound-for-pound cheatingest team ("conviction"-wise, anyway), and the absolute best team/engineers/technical equipment/cars money can buy.

Just my two cents' worth, anyway.

[mattncsu02]

Well Marty, the thing is......NASCAR is all about the money, so if he has the money to get the best stuff, then good for him. I'm sure the "cheating" is no worse than other teams, it's just that Hendrick teams are under a microscope constantly due to their success. The main reason I like Hendrick is the drivers and the fact that they drive bowties. I could care less about Rick himself.

I don't have anything against Childriss or Earn-Gan. They turn left in Chevys too.

I guess I'm more brand loyal when it comes to NASCAR than anything else. I've got three Chevys in my driveway along with a classic Olds. My whole family has driven GM products for years and years. My Dad's uncle used to have a Pontiac dealership back in the 60's. Before someone mentions it, I could care less about the fact that the government bailed out GM.....I'm still full blooded GM and always will be. In my family, there's three things that will get you written out of the will:
1. Pulling for Carolina
2. Pulling for the Cowboys
3. Driving a Ford, Chrysler, or foreign car/truck.

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

Right there with you on 1, 2, and 3.

Yeah, GM got bailed out. However, they made critical changes to improve their business model and totally restructure the company, all while paying back the government loan PLUS interest early.

I did like Tim Richmond (what a tragic waste of human life and potential - still miss him), Ken Schrader (the consummate "racer"), Terry Labonte and, of course, Junior. Very sorry, but I've never cared for Gordon and, as long as he drives for Hendrick, I'll care nothing for Johnson.

Agree with you 100% about NASCAR being a money-driven sport, no doubt about that. I just look at how successful Gordon was right off the bat combined with the timing of Hendrick's illegal dealings with Honda. It ain't that he spent the money, it's how he got it in the first place (don't tell me it was from his "business interests", he'd had those for several years prior to the mid-90's). Cheat to get the money, then cheat while you're spending the money? Under a microscope? He put himself under that microscope, he's damn lucky his teams haven't been busted for more than they have. He's not the New York Yankees of NASCAR (as I've heard him be referred to by Darrell Waltrip - another one that about makes me want to vomit just at the sound of his voice and, yep, another former Hendrick driver), he's the UNC football program of NASCAR, it's just that in NASCAR you CAN actually buy championships.

Don't get me started on the whole "leukemia" thing.

[Tizu]

While I don't like Gordon, and I don't necessarily care for Rick Hendirck, the other 3 drivers are okay in my book. I'm personally a Jr. fan was a huge fan of "The Intimidator" thus by default, a huge fan of #88.

By the way, if you get the chance to ride "The Intimidator" at either Kings Dominion or Carowinds, I HIGHLY recommend it. It's probably one of the best coasters I've ever ridden. Even though it doesn't have any loops in it...the sheer speed of the thing is awesome!!! 305 ft. tall, 85 degree angle down and speeds to 90mph. Quick fast turns and ups and downs. I'm going this weekend to ride it again!

Anyway, I've been a NASCAR fan my entire life...when I was a kid, my whole room was decorated with #3 collectibles and a huge flag signed by the man himself, Dale Earnhardt. I was a member of his fan club and received lots of memorabilia.

Hope Junior does well this weekend in the 600 @ Charlotte! He needs some wins! He's been knocking at the door all year...it's time to be the first car across the line!

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

Agree with you Tizu; I don't "let myself" pull for Dale, Jr. but if he wins I'll be happy for him; I know he chose that crazy business but nobody would've deserved the B.S. that poor guy (as well as Teresa and the whole family, too) had to put up with when Dale died. I don't care at all for Gordon, respect but don't care for Johnson, like but don't pull for Junior (I went from 3 to 8 until he went to Hendrick, now it's 29, 31, 27, 1, and 42), and Kahne is just the poor stooge currently driving Hendrick's write-off car.

The Intimidator at Carowinds is the first roller coaster I remember being truly scared on, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I read all about the height and angle of the first drop and the speed, but I wasn't ready for how it truly felt. Next time (and there WILL be a next time), I'll be ready!

Wishing everybody a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend, please take some time to reflect on the true meaning and reason for this sacred holiday.

Go Pack

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

Kinda funny how nothing's changed in a year, huh?

[Tizu]

haha!