By Matteo Marcheschi
Newman finds an interesting way to gain speed
“It’s easier to keep a rhythm when your ass isn’t on fire.” – Ryan Newman during stage two of the Brickyard 400. Newman had requested “something to tuck underneath my ass” during stage one, apparently because of a hot seat. No, that doesn’t mean he’ll be out at RCR after this season. It does, however, mean that every driver will be trying it out next week at Pocono, because Newman and his towel finished third on Sunday.
He hates us ‘cause he ain’t us
Derek Kneeland, spotter for Kyle Larson: “#48 really blocked us going down the back there. All the way to the grass.”
Chad Johnston, Larson’s crew chief: “Yeah, ‘cause he hates us.”
Kyle Larson: “#48 can’t handle it.”
That was the conversation among the crew of Kyle Larson as Jimmie Johnson aggressively blocked him during stage two. Since both drivers ended the day wrecked, it’s hard to say which is better. I guess the seven championships and 83 wins don’t mean too much nowadays…
Allies? Don’t be so sure…
Tony Hirschman, spotter for Kyle Busch: “Lap 108. Do you want to race straight up or keep doing it?”
Kyle Busch: “I think we need to race them.”
Hirschman: “You on board with that, Adam [Stevens]?”
Stevens, crew chief for Busch: “He’s driving man, absolutely!”
Cole Pearn, crew chief for Martin Truex Jr.: “He wants to race us on these restarts, so…”
Martin Truex Jr.: “Okey dokey. Is that the plan for sure?”
Pearn: “Yep.”
On the ensuing restart, Truex got loose under Busch, sending them both into the outside SAFER barrier in turn 1. Both cars were totaled and Truex’s car engulfed in flames. Both drivers got out of their cars, but the conflict wasn’t over… Fast forward to post-race.
As Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens walked by the pit stall of Martin Truex Jr.’s #78 team, Lee Cunningham, Truex’s rear tire changer, yelled “Tell Kyle ‘way to go’” clapping sarcastically. Stevens confronted Cunningham, exchanging words. Chris Taylor, Truex’s front tire changer, then jumped in, yelling at Stevens to “Get out of my (expletive) box! Get out of my box!” Stevens taunted Taylor, calling him a “cowboy” and a “tough guy.” Taylor asserted that he was, in fact, a tough guy (I’ll be honest, maybe not the best look). Brendan Greene, the #18 team’s truck driver, who had been speaking with another #78 crew member before Stevens got involved, broke up the confrontation, telling Stevens to “Walk the (expletive) away.” And to think the two teams were supposed to be friends…
Big wreck and tempers run wild
A four-car incident with only ten laps remaining in the race took Erik Jones, Clint Bowyer, and Kurt Busch out of contention. Jamie McMurray was also involved, but continued. Jones and Bowyer had blame to dish out after the incident.
Chris Gayle, crew chief for Erik Jones: “What the hell was that all about?”
Erik Jones: “I don’t know. No driving piece of (expletive) I guess. We’re just (expletive) done again.”
I’m not sure who Jones is referring to there, but be advised: Erik Jones is not a fan of your driving skills! Bowyer, on the other hand, didn’t leave that part to question.
Brett Griffin, spotter for Bowyer: “You’re not on fire. You okay?”
Clint Bowyer: “(Expletive) Danica! (Expletive) her!”
Aside from failing to answer Griffin’s question, Bowyer cursed out his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate, Danica Patrick. NASCAR drivers weren’t exactly team (or alliance) players this weekend.
Larson’s on fire… No, literally
Kyle Larson wasn’t too happy with Ty Dillon after Dillon threw an ill-timed block on Larson late in Sunday’s race. Larson was below Dillon, who wasn’t quite clear. Dillon forced Larson nearly into the inside wall before Larson got loose and clobbered the outside wall. Larson, as you can imagine, wasn’t too happy.
Derek Kneeland, spotter for Kyle Larson: “Nice #13, nice. Try and hold it up here.”
Kyle Larson: “(Expletive). I mean I’m there. I’m on fire.”
Love is in the air for Hamlin
Just before the race’s penultimate restart, Denny Hamlin had some words for Trevor Bayne, who would restart just beside him: “Love being on the outside of Trevor Bayne.” Bayne returned the love, tipping off an eight-car pileup before crossing the start/finish line. The wreck involved Hamlin, who would wreck on the final restart of the day. Hamlin, though, had some more words to say after Bayne’s wreck: “I’ll be so glad when that company is out of money. He is awful.” Really hitting them where it hurts, Denny… Classy.
