JGR=Cheating Fools? We have an answer!

By now, you've heard about the penalties NASCAR leveled on JGR's Nationwide Series teams. Tongue in cheek, I posed the question "JGR=Cheating Fools?" when the story first broke. I think NASCAR answered that question in the affirmative.

I don't see how this doesn't attach a level of stink to the entire JGR organization, deservedly or not, including, but not limited to, Kyle Busch. NASCAR obviously dropped the hammer big time on JGR's Nationwide operations, and one has to wonder what has been going on behind closed doors this season over there. There isn't a more stand-up, straight-laced guy in NASCAR that Joe Gibbs, but who knows what those beneath him have been up to.

• 7 Comments
• "cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater", JGR

JGR=Cheating Fools?

ESPN is reporting that JGR's two Nationwide Series teams (18 and 20) were caught trying to cheat the chassis dyno test after the Michigan race. A lot has been written about their dominance in the NNS this year, and all of that is now in question whether JGR likes it or not. The days of "if you ain't cheatin', you ain't trying" are long gone, and this has potential to call into question all of JGR's activity for the year (Kyle, that means you). Definitely a story to watch.

• 9 Comments
• JGR

What I did Sunday Night

Sunday night, I had front row center seats for "Weird Al' Yankovic in Columbus, Ohio. I was giddy, and the show was great. Between watching "The Dark Knight" on Friday, and Al on Sunday, I was in Nerdvana. I am glad the Cup Series was off this past weekend.

• 1 Comment

I Will Derive

If we're posting great YouTube videos, I'll toss a personal favorite into the ring. This is great if you're a math nerd or a patent lawyer with a physics degree.

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Kyle Busch is not Dale Earnhardt

Man, I am getting tired of everyone comparing Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt. Look, I am not a particularly great fan of Earnhardt. I'm a Gordon guy. But I sure did respect the man, and the Earnhardt I remember watching race was always in control of his machine. The man had excellent car control and always knew what he was doing out there. These comparisons to Kyle Busch are ridiculous.

Kyle Busch is a two-bit punk who has trouble controlling his car when racing on the edge. When he hit Dale Jr. at Richmond, it was because he was putting his car where it couldn't go at that speed without getting loose, and that's exactly what happened. The fact that we was so cavalier about it make it that much more infuriating.

Dale Earnhardt has been called and was many things. He wasn't shy about knocking people out of the way, but I don't believe that he did it when out of control of his own car. The one time where he really stepped over the line was the time he wrecked Terry Labonte at Bristol, and he paid a price that day as the crowd that usually supported him booed him.

I saw Dale Earnhardt race, and Kyle Busch is no Dale Earnhardt. The comparisons of Busch to Earnhardt only serve to give Busch accolades he does not deserve and sullies the name of Earnhardt. When Kyle learns to control his car on the edge so he is not a menace to his competitors and himself, we can talk, but now is clearly not the time.


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• 11 Comments
• Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, No Comparison

Kyle Busch Is an Idiot

Kyle Busch is an idiot. Try as I might, there isn’t any other word that I could find to describe him. Kyle appears to be the classic “million dollar talent, ten cent head.� We have seen immature drivers through the years, from some of Tony Stewart’s antics to Kyle’s brother Kurt making more enemies than you can count, but the man they call the “Shrub� take the cake.

Friday night, Kyle Busch and Steven Wallace got into a exchange, which resulted in Kyle going to Wallace’s car post race and sticking his head in the window. Kyle had a point to make, but everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) knows that that is not the time to make that point. Whatever credit Busch had for being on the wronged went out the window the minute he decided to stick his head into another race car.

Saturday night, Busch was trailing and attempting to pass Dale Earnhardt, Jr. As we all know, Busch got loose under the 88 car, and he hit and spun the 88 while trying to keep from spinning himself out. I don’t think folks would be too worked up if, after the race, Busch would have said something like, “I got loose and hit the 88 car. I am sorry.� Instead, the first words out of him mouth were to suggest that Earnhardt came down on him, and it was just as much Earnhardt’s fault as his own. Then he started spouting off about Earnhardt’s crew.

Yes, this was a simple racing accident. There is nothing in the replays to suggest Busch hit the 88 on purpose. But on the flip side, these guys are responsible for keeping control of their own cars, and when you mess up, you need to own up to your mistake, apologize, and move on. You don’t blame the other guy and look smug about it.

Given that, the only conclusion is that Kyle Busch is a complete idiot. Maybe it’s his natural personality, maybe it’s a function of having too much too young, but he is an idiot. Maybe even more frustrating was the way the Fox crew were making excuses for him and not willing to call him out. I love D.W., but come on. Kyle Busch is in need of a serious attitude adjustment, but apparently nobody is willing to step up and give it to him. Where’s Jimmy Spencer when you need him?

• 2 Comments
• Kyle Busch, Attitude Adjustment, Idiots

A Grand Slam!

I busted a box of the new 2008 Press Pass Premium racing, and I hit a grand slam in one of the final packs in the box, a Jeff Gordon Hot Threads NASCAR patch card, serial numbered 2/4! AWESOME!!

• 0 Comments
• Jeff Gordon, Press Pass

On Swaybars and Intellectual Property

Wow, the guys asked a patent/intellectual property question on the podcast. Of course, this question was the result of "swaybargate," bringing theft, patents, and intellectual property to the forefront of NASCAR (at least until everyone is bored senseless).

The RoushFenway swaybar was not patented, so MWR doesn't have to worry about any patent infringement. A swaybar is something that could be patented, but the process takes such a long time (2-3 years), there is a good chance the innovation being patented is out-of-date before a patent even issues in the quickly evolving world of NASCAR. Also, a recent Supreme Court case has made it easier for the patent office to say an innovation is obvious, and thus not patentable. That means to be patentable, we are going to need more than making a part a little longer or changing the shape.

The idea that the RoushFenway swaybar was protected by some sort of trade secret was also floated, but as I commented at the time, there is nothing there on which Roush could hang his familiar hat. Everything is out in the open and open to inspection by NASCAR so anything Roush brings to the track that is going through inspection that is visible isn't being kept secret. Additionally, leaving a top-secret swaybar laying around the garage (assuming the inspection process doesn't already wipe out the trade secret claim) is likely to wipe out any chance the part is protected as a trade secret part unless Roush could show MWR swiped it from under cover (trade secret misappropriation). Who knows what happened for certain?

Are we bored yet?

Looking back at the Wood Bros. case that has come to light, they leased a part and then attempted to reverse engineer it. That is totally acceptable unless their lease agreement said that they couldn't. A part isn't proprietary unless you take all the steps to keep it that way, either by keeping it secret and confidential, or by getting a patent. I don't know all the details of that case so there may be more there. Also, Roush's involvement does leave him looking a bit hypocritical. He probably didn't do anything wrong, but who knows if MWR did anything wrong. We don't have all the facts.

If MWR did anything, it may be as simple as theft. They ended up with a part that wasn't theirs, and apparently didn't expend alot of energy trying to get it back to the rightful owner when they discovered it. Did they take it on purpose or was it an accident? We don't know.

This is boring me know so I will sign off.

And no, Buck, I won't get in the hot tub.

Mark

• 0 Comments
• swaybar, patent, intellectual property, ROUSH, Waltrip, theft

Anyone want any snow?

Anyone want any snow? Here in the Columbus area, we've got plenty. 20.4 inches worth to be exact. Take all you want.

• 0 Comments
• Snow, Weather

Concept Cars

On the Tuesday podcast, Buck and Bass wondered about how many concept cars become production models. The company for which I work often has some "exotic" concept cars, and some "less exotic" concept cars. I would say a majority of the "less exotic" concept cars eventually make their way from concept to production in one way or another (concept as prototype or production model taking styling cues from concept). A lot of the concept cars you see at the Detroit Auto Show (going on right now) aren't even capable of being driven. I am curious how many folks have seen photos from the Detroit Auto Show or attended. What did you like?

• 4 Comments