Toyota's Most Disappointing Driver

[FS Bowles]

As an offshoot to my article on Toyota, I was wondering which driver you guys are the most disappointed in out of the Toyota camp this season. I'd say I'll go with Dale Jarrett so far; he's literally looked like he's carrying an anchor in the back of his car, he's been running so slow on the track. I figured there would be an adjustment period there from the Ford to the Camry, but with Matt Borland as his crew chief? I mean, that's one of the best wrenches in the garage area...there should not be as much of a chemistry problem as they've been having. Makes me think Jarrett's driving skills have actually gone downhill considerably...or he took the money and now just doesn't care.

[flamehothead]

Well as an owner/driver it would be Micheal Waltrip hands down but as far as just a driver, I would have to go with AJ Allmendinger.

[Tyyrus]

A.J. would also have to be my Biggest Disappointment also , but only for the fact ..that his team is so deficent as to Producing Competitive Cars. As for Dale , I'am not so much disapppointed as Surprised , bit I will cut thie Former Champion some slack for the simple reason..that the Toyota's may well be that Inferior as a Total Package . I cannot Paint all the Teams as Incompetent as Red Bull for the simple fact that the other Teams Cars out of the Box are much better Prepared as to their Set up . It may well be the Fact that other than their Super Speedway Restrictor Plate Package ..the Intermediate and Short Track Cars are simply enemic , when it comes to the Ponies required to run up Front , with the Chevys and Ford and Dodge's  ?    

[KurtBuschFan]

Tough pick...either Michael Waltrip or AJ Allmendinger

[SMOKEN14]

Michael Waltrip Hands Down

[skool]

As an offshoot to my article on Toyota, I was wondering which driver you guys are the most disappointed in out of the Toyota camp this season. I'd say I'll go with Dale Jarrett so far; he's literally looked like he's carrying an anchor in the back of his car, he's been running so slow on the track. I figured there would be an adjustment period there from the Ford to the Camry, but with Matt Borland as his crew chief? I mean, that's one of the best wrenches in the garage area...there should not be as much of a chemistry problem as they've been having. Makes me think Jarrett's driving skills have actually gone downhill considerably...or he took the money and now just doesn't care.

Well T. Bowles, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, even if it is WAY off base and wrong.  DJ's driving skills gone downhill? Just there for the money?  Sheeeeeeeeeesh    Give me a break

[SMOKEN14]

Even Nascars Current Top Driver Tony Stewart Would Have A Hard Time Getting One Of Those P.O.S  Toyotas Anywere Inside The Top Twenty.In The Future Maybe Toyota Will Have A Chance But For Now There Garbage

[ChromeHorn]

Yes Tom, I agree the DJ/Borland combo has been a disappointment. Remember a time when Borland led a certain Dodge (of all makes!!) to what...eight poles a year. Now he and his driver are PCPers.

However, I'm going with Jeremy Mayfield as the most disappointing. For a driver who made the Chase twice to not even make one of the first four races?! Plus, BDR was supposed to be the flagbearer for Toyota. A new primary sponsor, a "re-appointed" crew chief, no points, no prayer for a top 35 spot... I wonder if he questions just how badf things were at EMS before he started spouting off.

BTW: Mikey is not the most diosappointing simply because he was never that great in the first place.

[supermod52]

[/siz
I have heard that the plan was for Dale Jarrett to use up all of his Championship provisionals at the first 6 races and hope that he could run close enough to the front to get into the top 35.  His driving style seems to be just to stay out of trouble and ride.  Taking 30th place isn't what I'd call running for the top 35, but if it works and they can find out enough about the cars failings, maybe it will payoff.  I've always liked DJ as a driver, but his performance (or his equipment) sure has been subpar the past two seasons.  He just never impressed me as a guy that would settle for driving around and not charging.

[smyler]

I have to vote Jeremy as well.  I never thought you'd see him miss all 4 races.  Dale is getting older.  Mikey was never that good.  Dave B is doing ok, AJ is new to Cup.  At least Brian has made the show.  Jeremy has to be hating life right now.

[Chris]

I'm kinda leaning with Smyler right now...
Some folks say AJ is a 'disappointment'... I say he's never been here done that... so he can't be "expected" to do anything.  (and he's NOT)

DJ,.. I'd kinda say he has been disappointing... NO DOUBT he is "trying" to do "SOMETHING" in the races he has run,.. he KNOWS he only has 6 provisionals, and when they are gone he has to make it in on speed.  SO far he is averaging a 30th place finish.  He only has 100 points more than BLISS who has just made ONE race all season.
He's only about 80 points ahead of Vickers who has only been is two races so far.

Mayfield,.. he hadn't been a "disapointment" to me.  Ray Evernham saw the handwritting on the wall with him last season, and cut him loose.  Everyone tried to say it was 'sour grapes' because he run his mouth,.. but I think now the facts are out,.. Mayfield can't do much unless he is in a MUCH superior car.  Mayfield couldn't hardly even win in Ray's car  Kahne sets it on poles, and even had the most wins last season.

Waltrip,.. his downhill slide started mid-season last year.  Anyone could have saw this coming way back last season (some of us predicted it long ago)

LOGICALLY,.. I think the biggest disappointment is Vickers.  I expected him to make all the races this season, and at least be locked into the top 35.  As it is he has missed two races,.. and with a little luck he STILL could be in the top 35 in a couple weeks.

[flamehothead]

I don't know if anyone heard or not but I am Higher in the points than Micheal Waltrip is LMAO. I may have ZERO but he is in the HOLE.

[Lumberg01]

My vote would have to be Mayfield too, with Mikey a close 2nd. Outside of the manufacturer, the 36 team has the most experience behind it between the owner, driver and now the crew chief. There is no reason why they should be as far off as they are. The only reason why I wouldn't pick AJ is because he was basically set up to fail. New car, new team, and a new driver with next to no stock car experience. You can't expect much with that combination. It's a shame too because I think the kid has a lot of talent, but he has not been developed properly.

[flamehothead]

My vote would have to be Mayfield too, with Mikey a close 2nd. Outside of the manufacturer, the 36 team has the most experience behind it between the owner, driver and now the crew chief. There is no reason why they should be as far off as they are. The only reason why I wouldn't pick AJ is because he was basically set up to fail. New car, new team, and a new driver with next to no stock car experience. You can't expect much with that combination. It's a shame too because I think the kid has a lot of talent, but he has not been developed properly.

Welcome to the Frontstretch Lumberg01. I can Guarentee you One thing, You will have FUN LOL.

[KurtBuschFan]

Welcome Tony!  Glad you could make it here.  Everyone...Lumberg01 is our newest writer, Tony.  He'll be writing the Rookie Report that posts every Monday.