2014 Toyota/SaveMart 350(k) at Sonoma Raceway Weekend Discussion

[Hendrick4life]

He was good at red bull, even made the chase. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy, hes a great driver. I just dont think this 55 car is the place for him.

If you had any choice, what car would you put him in. Doesnt matter if it has a driver or not. What team would you want him to be with?

 

[K.Chuck]

If you had any choice, what car would you put him in. Doesnt matter if it has a driver or not. What team would you want him to be with?

I understand theres not a lot of open seats out there and almost everything available is a step down from MWR. But if I could place Brian in any seat it would be a Penske car. They seem to know how to build teams around drivers to get the most out of them.

 

[instantCLASSIC]

He was good at red bull, even made the chase. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy, hes a great driver. I just dont think this 55 car is the place for him.

The 55 WOULD have been a great spot if Rodney Childers hadn't left to go pair up with Harvick. Rodney is a bigger part of that deal than Brian is, IMO.

 

[RP Motorsports]

Hell of a job done by Edwards today. The man was wheeling it. Would've loved to see a caution at the end there just to see what the #88 could've done with the fresher tires.

Happy for Edwards and Fennig though. I like seeing both those guys in Victory Lane. It would be kind of funny if they started ripping off wins, and turned it into a championship.

The 55 WOULD have been a great spot if Rodney Childers hadn't left to go pair up with Harvick. Rodney is a bigger part of that deal than Brian is, IMO.

^^^^Pretty much spot on.

I think a lot of people who were raving about Vickers last year didn't realize just how much of that was Childers. One of the smartest minds of all the crew chiefs in the garage - easily top five, if not higher, and highly underrated for the past handful of years.

Nothing against Vickers, but he's not a top-notch (Cup) driver, never has been, and most-likely never will be. He can string together some good runs from time to time - maybe grab a win once in a blue moon when all the stars line up and everything falls together perfectly in his favor - but thats about as far as it goes. When Childers left MWR, his fate in the #55 was sealed.

 

[MillsLayne]

Hmmm...

Say what? | News | Motorsport.com

but

Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site - NASCAR Sprint Cup News Page

 

[K.Chuck]

Hmmm...

Say what? | News | Motorsport.com

I recorded some of the 18s scanner today, that was truly said. I edited it out so you can listen for yourself if you want. Kyle Bush post audio

 

[4WideRacing]

What did Carl say that would mean that he is leaving RFR?

That Kyle/M&M's thing is crazy. The plot thickens...

 

[K.Chuck]

Carl didnt say much but he thanked all his sponsors without thanking ford once. Which For Carl is out of character.

 

[4WideRacing]

Carl didnt say much but he thanked all his sponsors without thanking ford once. Which For Carl is out of character.

Wow, that is really telling for him to do that. Thanks.

 

[RP Motorsports]

Hmmm...

Say what? | News | Motorsport.com

He's such an idiot...

I tip my hat to Coach for being able to put up with him over the years.

 

[4WideRacing]

He's such an idiot...

I tip my hat to Coach for being able to put up with him over the years.

How is that being such an idiot? Seems like he can't do anything without being criticized....

 

[RP Motorsports]

How is that being such an idiot? Seems like he can't do anything without being criticized....

Airing internal business over whats essentially a public radio, and basically as a (childish) way of voicing your displeasure, is pretty stupid on his part.

As far as the criticism goes, he brings it upon himself. Simple as that. You can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. There may be some instances in which he gets a little more flak than warranted, but that's what happens when you constantly set yourself up for it and build that reputation. Nobody to blame but himself.

 

[Matthew124]

Carl didnt say much but he thanked all his sponsors without thanking ford once. Which For Carl is out of character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2XOYhmVDeI

Around :41 seconds.. sounds like he says "Aflac, Ford, Sprint"

 

[ShadowKnight508]

Here is the video (go to the 1:43 mark of the video, Kyle is heard asking about it roughly 4 or so seconds later).

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxp5Hs-EiYg#t=156]Kyle Busch: "Is the M&M contract signed yet?" & unceensoed Kurt Audio Sonoma 2014 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Matthew124]

I did some Google searching and came up with this:

M&M's signed a new mulit-year deal in March of 2011 which - one would assume - would start in 2012. So, that would equal four seasons (2008, 2009, 2010, and then 2011) that M&M's would sponsor the 18. Let's say the new deal was for the same amount of time.. wouldn't M&M's be signed through the 2015 season with a new contract being for 2016?

Plus, during the contract negotiations with Kyle for 2013+ Joe Gibbs said - “M&M’s is on board, but their contract is still extended into the future." about M&M's. So.. who knows.

 

[K.Chuck]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2XOYhmVDeI

Around :41 seconds.. sounds like he says "Aflac, Ford, Sprint"

Yeah guess he did throw ford in there, just use to him be a lot more ford talkative in victory lane I guess.

I really hope he stays put all this JGR speculation crap is hard to swallow.

 

[Matthew124]

Yeah guess he did throw ford in there, just used to him be a lot more ford talkative in victory lane I guess.

I really hope he stay put all this JGR speculation crap is hard to swallow.

Yeah, a few years ago he would've talked about how good the Ford Fusion was at keeping your tires long-lasting and how everyone needs to go out and buy one. LOL.

 

[Dilla]

Instead of Carl going to JGR to be sponsored by Mars like everyone thinks, Mars is really leaving Gibbs to sponsor Carl as the primary sponsor for the 99. You heard it here first.

*probably not*

 

[Matthew124]

Instead of Carl going to JGR to be sponsored by Mars like everyone thinks, Mars is really leaving Gibbs to sponsor Carl as the primary sponsor for the 99. You heard it here first.

*probably not*

I know you're joking but.. I don't see why M&M's would leave Joe Gibbs Racing. They would've walked following Texas '11 had they really wanted to leave Kyle and Gibbs.

 

[CarlEdwardsRulz]

I know you're joking but.. I don't see why M&M's would leave Joe Gibbs Racing. They would've walked following Texas '11 had they really wanted to leave Kyle and Gibbs.

Not entirely. Yes they could have simpled walked away as you say, but if they really want to stay involved in the Cup series which I think it's obvious they have for a long period of time now... Their may have not been a top tier marketable driver at the end of 2011 open for sponsor talks. Especially so late in that year... Insert summer of 2014... Carl obviously fits the bill for many sponsors to consider their own contract situations at this moment. M&Ms might have their first serious opportunity to go for another guy that could represent their brand in a terrific way.

When you factor in that Carl and his current sponsors (Fastenal, Subway or Aflac) have not reported plans for 2015, any opinion or guess is still fair game I would say. M&Ms would at least have the room right now to examine a driver in Carl's situation.

UPS is the only current #99 sponsor that has announced future plans. They said they will not return to the #99 in 2015 for the single race primary sponsorship in Kentucky. That news came out a long time ago though from what I recall.