Darlington Cup race thread

[Jonesi]

Well Indy qualifing is over, I guess it time to think about the Cup race. (Congrats to Helio)
Just checked the weather forcast and the hour-to-hour shows 50% rain all through the night. Anyone live in the area that can tell us if its raining there?

[BobbyC]

I live about 95 miles from the track, a hit off Interstate 95 and 26 to home.

It is cloudy, hazy, but the weather is calling for scattered storms in Florence (Interstates 20 and 95). To find out about Darlington weather, it's just left of the 20/95 intersection on the radar.

[muggle not]

I live about 135 miles North of Darlington, in Greensboro. We had a little shower about an hour ago and then it cleared up. I would expect the same for Darlington. They should eventually race tonight.

[Erki]

What's the latest they can race at Darlington?
It's already nearly 3am here, I don't know how long I would bother...

[muggle not]

What's the latest they can race at Darlington?
It's already nearly 3am here, I don't know how long I would bother...
Look at the previous post. ;)

[Erki]

Look at the previous post. ;)

Eyes don't function all that well anymore... :)
I hope they can get the thing started soon, I don't really like this waiting. :\

PS: Looks like it's still raining there, they showed live picture for a second here...

[Jonesi]

Baseball is over they've gone to the track. It's still raining solid. Announced that the track doesn't have a curfew, but I can't imagine that they will go more than an hour or two, before rescheduling for tomorrow.


Lots of talk about Jr. ;-)

[colinspooky]

just seen the Junior interview with DW - talk about heavily cut. Seems sentences are cut together with a chainsaw.

[dont_be_jack]

No curfew, I can easily see them waiting this thing out like Daytona two years ago in which the race ended at about 2-3 AM Central.

[GARYGAZZA]

No curfew, I can easily see them waiting this thing out like Daytona two years ago in which the race ended at about 2-3 AM Central.
7 to 8 am GMT.Gonna be a long night :o

[Erki]

Oh dear... now they are showing Dega highlights... They can cycle through all the races this way... and they still have time left to fill... :)

[Erki]

7 to 8 am GMT.Gonna be a long night :o

Isn't Central GMT+6? 8-9 GMT that would make even. Should I go to sleep maybe? :) :s nore:

[harvick#1]

What's the latest they can race at Darlington?
It's already nearly 3am here, I don't know how long I would bother...

go to sleep for a good 4 hours and by the time you wake up, the race will start :p :

[dont_be_jack]

Isn't Central GMT+6? 8-9 GMT that would make even. Should I go to sleep maybe? :) :s nore:

Actually, I think it's -5 now because of daylight savings time. I could be wrong.

[colinspooky]

sounds good idea

[Erki]

Actually, I think it's -5 now because of daylight savings time. I could be wrong.

East Coast time is -5GMT, so shouldn't Central be -6 and Pacific -7GMT? It would be nice to know them exactly...

[GARYGAZZA]

GMT is +5 hours ahead of Eastern.Had 3 hours of shut eye so dont need the matchsticks yet.You can alter time zones on pc,that will give you time difference.

[dont_be_jack]

East Coast time is -5GMT, so shouldn't Central be -6 and Pacific -7GMT? It would be nice to know them exactly...

Nope, because of Daylight Savings Time here in the States everything is one hour sooner. It's 7:51 here in Chicago right now and we're usually -6 GMT but looking at http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ it says that it's -5 GMT.

[GARYGAZZA]

Race cancelled till 1 pm eastern.Going to get some shut eye.

[dont_be_jack]

Rained out. Tomorrow at 1 PM ET.

[BobbyC]

The first Rebel 300, run 50 years ago at Darlington, was actually postponed a day to Mother's Day (May 12, 1957), in violation of South Carolina Blue Laws. Until the early 1980's, Blue Laws prohibited Sunday racing in the Palmetto State.

The track is having to go to local authorities to get special permission to have the race start at 1 PM. Under South Carolina law, an automobile race is not permitted on Sunday before 1:30 PM, but the waiver is likely to be approved because the race is scheduled for 500 miles, and the waiver is permitted if a race is set for 250 miles or longer. The September 1983 Busch race at Darlington was 250 miles instead of the present 200 miles because of Blue Laws.

We have Tony Hulman weather in Darlington . . . oh do we wish for the days when we raced here again in the fall . . . Jimmie Johnson wouldn't mind racing at Darlington in the fall again.

[dont_be_jack]

And, honestly, do you think that they wouldn't grant a waiver to the only Nextel Cup race there?

[BobbyC]

As soon as Darlington president Bob Colvin (whose name is affixed to a grandstand at the track) exited the safety car after the start of the first Rebel 300, postponed a day because of rain delays, state troopers arrested him after the race started. He posted a $50 bond, and sat in the President's Box on what is now the backstretch afterwards.

Glenn Roberts won the Mother's Day race.

The waiver is automatic because of the 250-mile rule, but if they pushed back the start 30 minutes, it also is waived.

The waiver was put automatically so both Cup races in the 1980's could run on Sunday. It was not until 1984 when the Southern 500 ran on a Sunday.

[RaceFanStan]

Engines have fired ..... let's have a quick look at the drivers out of the Top 35 .....
some good starting spots for some of them .......
the “make it on speed or go home group” that made it :
06. Kenny Wallace #78 Chevrolet 163.876 mph
08. Ken Schrader #21 Ford 163.723 mph
14. David Reutimann #00 Toyota 163.175 mph
15. Brian Vickers #83 Toyota 163.153 mph
20. A.J. Allmendinger #84 Toyota 162.915 mph
27. Dave Blaney #22 Toyota 162.452 mph
43. Kevin Lepage #37 Dodge 162.329 mph

the “make it on speed or go home group” that DIDN’T make it :
Jeremy Mayfield #36 Toyota 162.292 mph
Ward Burton #4 Chevrolet 161.982 mph
Mike Bliss #49 Dodge 161.923 mph
Michael Waltrip #55 Toyota 161.519 mph
Dale Jarrett #44 Toyota 161.339 mph
Scott Riggs #10 Dodge 161.080 mph

[RaceFanStan]

From this point on this thread could be consider a "SPOILER",
do not read any further if you don't want to know what happened before you see it. :D

[RaceFanStan]

Boogity ! Boogity ! Boogity ! http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Let's go racing boys !

[RaceFanStan]

Polesitter Clint Bowyer leads the 1st lap. :D

[dont_be_jack]

CoT looks good at Darlington...this'll be a big test as to how the car will handle at a higher speed.

[RaceFanStan]

Jamie McMurray got a Darlington Stripe but kept going ....

[RaceFanStan]

Ricky Rudd was overheating, had to pit, remove some tape, lost 2 laps ... :s

[RaceFanStan]

Carl Edwards took the lead a few laps ago & Clint Bowyer is dropping back :eek:

Competition Yellow coming at lap 40. :D

[RaceFanStan]

Denny Hamlin has taken the lead as Joe Nemechek goes a lap down ...

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif Competion Yellow

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif after pitstops, Denny Hamlin keeps the lead, Jimmie Johnson 2nd, Carl Edwards 3rd
followed by Clint Bowyer & Kevin Harvick .....

Kyle Petty got the "lucky dawg"
Other laps down drivers are :
-1 lap
Joe Nemechek
Robby Gordon
-2 laps
Ricky Rudd

[RaceFanStan]

"crazy mutant desert guys" ....... :laugh:

[colinspooky]

This is Darlington right? THE Darlington. And no cautions. I think this is a fake Darlington.
When does the real Darlington race start?

:confused:

[RaceFanStan]

Jimmie Johnson got a Darlington Stripe but kept going ....

[RaceFanStan]

Green Flag pitstops are occuring .........

[colinspooky]

see the cash wash ad - bikini girls, and a voice over saying "We know what men like".

Oh yeah - a girl at the back of the car going mental with a gushing hose next to your collectable convertable.

Soaked leather anyone ?? And that giggling? Nice bodies mind. :p

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif Reed Sorenson has hit the wall ... to the pits

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Denny Hamlin leads

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif Brian Vickers CRASHES !!!!!!!!!!

[RaceFanStan]

Nemechek has a flat tire as green flag pitstops are occuring .....

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif Mr. Debri has reared his ugly head :s

[colinspooky]

Is that Mr Debris' cousin?

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Denny Hamlin leads ...

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif David Ragan & Ken Schrader crash !

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Kenseth leads

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gifKen Schrader blew tire & hit the wall ... 21 to the garage :s

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Kenseth leads :D

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/y.gif Allmendinger & Kyle Busch crash

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/g.gif Johnson leads ... Raines crashes / no caution

[e2mtt]

Another normal CoT race... race winding down. Hendricks running 1-2, Gibbs cars lead the most laps, all have bad luck now.

[e2mtt]

23 laps to go, I think that staying out might turn out to be the right decision.

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/w.gif

[RaceFanStan]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/flag/c.gif Jeff Gordon WINS !!!!!!!!!!!!

[colinspooky]

get that engine a drink !!!

[blakebeatty]

Nice hard fought win for Hendrick. Gotta feel bad for Hamlin, though. Jimmie should have won if not for the call to go in when everyone stayed out. His car was as much the class of the field as Hamlin. Not very often a race is lost on a bad call by Knaus

[harvick#1]

:s nore:

favoritism again, Nascar wussied out by not throwing the yellow for two blown engines in the final 5 laps.

gotta feel sorry for Denny, he had the best car and he showed it today, what a rotten break for one lugnut costing the race

[e2mtt]

:s nore:

favoritism again, Nascar wussied out by not throwing the yellow for two blown engines in the final 5 laps...

Good Point. Does ANYONE know how and when they decide to throw the yellow, and when not?

[blakebeatty]

favoritism again, Nascar wussied out by not throwing the yellow for two blown engines in the final 5 laps.


both of those cars blew up on the apron, man. You likely can't rationalize why there should have been a caution. There is no way that there was oil in the racing groove, and absolutely no reason for a caution. The whining on this board is so bad, and so irrational, that I can hardly stand posting here.

[harvick#1]

both of those cars blew up on the apron, man. You likely can't rationalize why there should have been a caution. There is no way that there was oil in the racing groove, and absolutely no reason for a caution. The whining on this board is so bad, and so irrational, that I can hardly stand posting here.

point is, 40 laps early it would've been a caution, but since Gordon was leading, there had to be a 20 car crash for Nascar to even think about throwing a caution

[MD24]

both of those cars blew up on the apron, man. You likely can't rationalize why there should have been a caution. There is no way that there was oil in the racing groove, and absolutely no reason for a caution. The whining on this board is so bad, and so irrational, that I can hardly stand posting here.


Well said, I feel the same way. Everytime a Hendrick car wins it's always the same ones that come out whinning

Don't let them get to you, overall its a great place and it'd be nice if you stuck around

[harvick#1]

so is Darlington getting new paving starting Monday?

or did that go in the toilet

[MD24]

They are getting new pavement just not sure when they're getting started

[harvick#1]

Bristol is looking good

http://instacam.aws.com/showcam.asp?id=KTRI&size=L

[RaceFanStan]

For all the unhappy fans :
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/misc/tiss.jpg

[tassiedevilAB]

It will be interesting to have a look at the highlights over here to see if there was any hendricks cars that should have not got a leg up.
As jeffypoo said in the early nineties, to stop me from winning the championship the other drivers better start wrecking me or i will run away with it!
looks like that';s what's going to have to happen this year, you come get me if you can! ...........or i will get you!

[muggle not]

Brilliant call by Letarte. Keeping Gordon out not only got him the lead but as important it helped the car to survive the last 23 laps by giving it fresh air. Jeff Gordon had the car to beat and the talent to bring it home.

[Lee Roy]

Well said, I feel the same way. Everytime a Hendrick car wins it's always the same ones that come out whinning

Don't let them get to you, overall its a great place and it'd be nice if you stuck around

Agreed.

Hope you're enjoying Jeff's resurgence this year, MD24.

[dont_be_jack]

Bristol is looking good

http://instacam.aws.com/showcam.asp?id=KTRI&size=L

Damn, dark out now...

[Hoss Ghoul]

both of those cars blew up on the apron, man. You likely can't rationalize why there should have been a caution. There is no way that there was oil in the racing groove, and absolutely no reason for a caution. The whining on this board is so bad, and so irrational, that I can hardly stand posting here.

I agree with you regarding the cautions.

And actually the whining on this board is pretty minimal compared to most, but Harvick#1 does have a hard-on for the Hendricks boys.

[MD24]

Agreed.

Hope you're enjoying Jeff's resurgence this year, MD24.

I am :D

[Dick Blom]

Me too MD24. I will add this race to my library of all the other JG wins. YA HOO

[Lee Roy]

I wonder if Jeff will win 7 more races this year to become the third winningest driver in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup history? Or will it come next year?