13 Random thoughs on the Shootout

[scott b]

1. Mark Martin should be here.  Really.  I hope he wins to 500 to make up for it.   
2. Too many cars in the starting field. 
3. Smoke looks to be OK for 2009.  Might have some growing pains with the new team, but not on the scale MWR or Red Bull did in their first seasons.
4. Also kind of strange to have Ryan Newman missing from the field.  And I'm sure he would have liked the extra track time this year.
5. Some of the guys who didn't "deserve" to be here IMO, weren't here for long.
6. Casey Mears in the 07 does not seem right.  Is he the face you picture when you think of a guy doing shots of bourbon? 
7. Last segment too long.
8. Target should have moved their sponsorship to the 16, cause Biffle's looks like he's been in a figure 8 race. 
9. Please retire the gophercam gimmick.
10. No matter how many yellow lines you paint, until everyone agrees on what they mean it ain't helping.
11. Caution fest a product of the new way of setting the field and the race format, or will the twins and the 500 be this crazy?
12. Pimping this race as a manufacturer's battle is fail when guys are obviously drafting with whatever partners they feel comfortable with regardless of brand.
13. Nice practice session for the guys who were included... bummer if you were on the outside looking in with the testing ban.

[DougS]

1. Mark Martin should be here.  Really.  I hope he wins to 500 to make up for it.  
2. Too many cars in the starting field. 
3. Smoke looks to be OK for 2009.  Might have some growing pains with the new team, but not on the scale MWR or Red Bull did in their first seasons.
4. Also kind of strange to have Ryan Newman missing from the field.  And I'm sure he would have liked the extra track time this year.
5. Some of the guys who didn't "deserve" to be here IMO, weren't here for long.
6. Casey Mears in the 07 does not seem right.  Is he the face you picture when you think of a guy doing shots of bourbon? 
7. Last segment too long.
8. Target should have moved their sponsorship to the 16, cause Biffle's looks like he's been in a figure 8 race. 
9. Please retire the gophercam gimmick.
10. No matter how many yellow lines you paint, until everyone agrees on what they mean it ain't helping.
11. Caution fest a product of the new way of setting the field and the race format, or will the twins and the 500 be this crazy?
12. Pimping this race as a manufacturer's battle is fail when guys are obviously drafting with whatever partners they feel comfortable with regardless of brand.
13. Nice practice session for the guys who were included... bummer if you were on the outside looking in with the testing ban.

1. Under the old rules he would have been eligible because he was the 1999 shootout winner (his last year of eligibility) but..Being a part time driver didn't help his argument in my eyes.
2. Yes
3. Agree
4. True in only to see how the car changes. Most shootout cars will NOT be used in the 500.
5. Under the old rules abosolutely correct. It's a brave new world with bud not being able to afford KK contract the shootout and sponsorship for the pole. I expect even further rule changes eligibility rules for next year. If Bud ever decides to drop sponsorship of the shootout I hope NASCAR abolishes it instead of re-branding it.
6. Never thought of Clint Bowyer like that. The only true fit is Robby and Jim Beam.
7. Wish they'd return to the old format fill it full of gas and go 20 laps no 10 minute sit, conduct interviews and plug sponsors.
8. ROTFL! Very true
9. Definately
10. NASCAR officals and consistancy = oxymoron
11. Even crazier in the final laps as field fillers try to make it or bring back the steering wheel.
12. When branding is only the difference of 1/16th of an inch and a decal you must think your fans are complete idiots to think there is a manufacturer's difference (except under the hood)
13. The only way I see this as true is if you look at RFR and RFR(east) who are the only ford teams.

[Busch Babe 899]

14. Why the HECK did my DVR cut out after Jeff Burton was interviewed about his wreck, and only start recording again when Harvick rolled into Victory Lane...causing me to not get to see the last 38 laps of the race.... Bad enough I had to work that night....

[scott b]

6. Never thought of Clint Bowyer like that. The only true fit is Robby and Jim Beam.

No, I never thought of Clint as a true hardcore party animal, either.  But Casey Mears seems like even more of a stretch.

[PlanoHarvickFan]

14. Why the HECK did my DVR cut out after Jeff Burton was interviewed about his wreck, and only start recording again when Harvick rolled into Victory Lane...causing me to not get to see the last 38 laps of the race.... Bad enough I had to work that night....

Sorry to hear that....but glad  to hear you are working

[secretariat]

Yeah, especially since Skool isn't working !!!!!!

There goes the retirement fund !!!!!!!!!