2021 Silly Season

DIDIT said:
If it does become big news when he is reinstated, I am still trying to understand how the people that "will be mad" affects NASCAR. NASCAR gets publicity from it, albeit negative, but I don't think NASCAR is going to lose any measurable number of fans and hopefully no sponsors because of his return. In fact, Larson very likely could bring with him a number of dirt fans that were not previously NASCAR fans.
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The issue is whether sponsors will lose customers because they're associated with Larson, not whether NASCAR loses fans. You're probably correct about the attitude of race fans, but we're not the only ones the sponsors are trying to sell to.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
The issue is whether sponsors will lose customers because they're associated with Larson, not whether NASCAR loses fans. You're probably correct about the attitude of race fans, but we're not the only ones the sponsors are trying to sell to.
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This is the thing, if he gets reinstated and does everything NASCAR asks of him, no one should be upset.

Hendrick has a lot of history of Chevy, if he manages to lets say slide Larson into the 88 and slide Bowman into the 48, that would be a huge deal to get fired by the manufacturer and then get re-hired within a year. The thing is will Chevy want to sponsor the car for the entire season with things like the sponsors Bowman has attached to the 88 now? Once again, its all talk and no resolve at the moment.
 
Snappy D said:
I’m hoping Brett Mofitt gets a look at a high level Xfinity Ride or even the 43, just spitballing. I’m still high on Brett, think he can be productive
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I think he's made a good home from himself in Trucks. He got 6 wins in '18 and 4 wins in '19 and the fact that he didn't go anywhere in '20 tells me he's not going anywhere IMO.

Also, I checked Racing-Reference before this post to make sure my stats were right....apparently he had 1 Xftinity start and 2 truck starts before going to Cup :huh: . Anyone know why the heck that happened?
 
Kiante said:
This is the thing, if he gets reinstated and does everything NASCAR asks of him, no one should be upset.
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'Should be' Isn't 'will be'. There are always folks looking for an excuse to take offense at something, often at subjects less important than race relations.
Kiante said:
Hendrick has a lot of history of Chevy, if he manages to lets say slide Larson into the 88 and slide Bowman into the 48,
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Why would Rick to that, as opposed to just slotting Larson straight into the #48? Bowman's building his own brand nicely in the #88. Unless you think Mountain Dew and the #88's other sponsors are more accepting of Larson than Ally, etc?

I think Larson is the best choice available for the #48; it's the issues connected to his 'availability' that are the sticking points. As COW has noted, he hasn't asked to be reinstated (yet).
 
Charlie Spencer said:
'Should be' Isn't 'will be'. There's always folks looking for an excuse to take offense.

Why would Rick to that, as opposed to just slotting Larson straight into the #48? Bowman's building his own brand nicely in the #88. Unless you think Mountain Dew and the #88's other sponsors are more accepting of Larson than Ally, etc?
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I still think Larson will still be hard to hunt for sponsors wise IMO.

Bowman has built his own brand, but Ally will fund the 48 car for the next few years. I just do not see sponsors playing nice to Larson right off the bat, but Ally is a massive deal for Hendrick and it would be pressing if Ally, who has been fully sponsoring the 48, says no to Larson.

Larson will have to earn his sponsors back, I just do not think they will stay attached to him right off of the bat.

Hell, I was upset about what happened. At the same time, after time goes on and Larson actually shows maturity from the event, like I want him to come back in some capacity in the future. Just if he does, he needs to earn his spot back, but that's just how I see it.
 
Snappy D said:
I’m hoping Brett Mofitt gets a look at a high level Xfinity Ride or even the 43, just spitballing. I’m still high on Brett, think he can be productive
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Agreed. But it would be confusing, if that happens, since Richard's grandson is Thad Moffitt and people already get the two confused.
 
Snappy D said:
I’m hoping Brett Mofitt gets a look at a high level Xfinity Ride or even the 43, just spitballing. I’m still high on Brett, think he can be productive
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The 37 car could be a possibility, but this car could go to one of many drivers.

He's also stated he does not want to be a mid-pack driver in Cup.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
So he wants to be a back-marker? :p 'Cause front-runner slots aren't open.
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At least the man is honest.

He has the chops, if he had sponsorship I would be vying for him to be in the 1 car at JRM or possibly takeover one of the Kaulig rides at least. I think Moffitt could be the guy to get that triple crown.

I think that highly of him.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I think he's made a good home from himself in Trucks. He got 6 wins in '18 and 4 wins in '19 and the fact that he didn't go anywhere in '20 tells me he's not going anywhere IMO.

Also, I checked Racing-Reference before this post to make sure my stats were right....apparently he had 1 Xftinity start and 2 truck starts before going to Cup :huh: . Anyone know why the heck that happened?
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He's been running pretty good in his limited schedule this year in the Xfinity series. Not sure about the resources of that team, but good runs for a non cup supported team

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Truex_rox said:
Ross is back racing? That's good news. It was a bit jarring to me that he never got more opportunities than he did.
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He came back to run a late model race after 5 years out of a car. Sounds like they had to convince him to run, he wasn't looking for a ride.

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The 48 taking so long to name a driver kinda makes me think the hold up is that driver being reinstated by NASCAR.

Possibly if Hendrick is given a ‘no’ from NASCAR or others involved... then abruptly one of the other candidates could be chosen.

I think by this time of the year, we’d normally have had an announcement for a high profile seat opening up like the 48
 
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JGR_20 said:
The 48 taking so long to name a driver kinda makes me think the hold up is that driver being reinstated by NASCAR.

Possibly if Hendrick is given a ‘no’ from NASCAR or others involved... then abruptly one of the other candidates could be chosen.

I think by this time of the year, we’d normally have had an announcement for a high profile seat opening up like the 48
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And/or they're holding off because they don't want to take away for JJ's final season.

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Kiante said:
At least the man is honest.

He has the chops, if he had sponsorship I would be vying for him to be in the 1 car at JRM or possibly takeover one of the Kaulig rides at least. I think Moffitt could be the guy to get that triple crown.

I think that highly of him.
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I wish JRM would just get did of Annett already. The only reason he is there is the sponsorship money he brings in.
 
Jordan Bianchi (The Athletic) is a good Nascar journalist. Every year, he spends a lot of time following and reporting on silly season. In a post today, he has no solid news to report, but did share some thoughts. He was clear that these are speculation, not news...

Kyle Larson is front runner for the HMS vacant seat (might not be the 48).

Bubba Wallace is indeed likely to drive for the much-discussed new Denny Hamlin team. Hamlin could be buying into the Gaunt Bros 96, but more likely the Germain 13 (which owns a charter, unlike Gaunt). Would be Toyota.

[Side question... Justin Marks is also trying to form a new team. I've wondered if Marks and Hamlin are working together, or are we talking about two separate new teams? Does anyone know if they are going to partner up?]

Richard Petty Motorsports and Daniel Suarez are both looking at all options, but might well end up together.

Erik Jones probably to the 42, or possibly to the 37 if Preece is dropped by JTG-Daugherty.

The SHR 14 is a toss up. Bianchi says he has a hunch that Bowyer will not return in 2021, but this is by no means certain. Could be Chase Briscoe, and Larson could be in the mix as well.

Spire... maybe Ross Chastain and Justin Haley in these two cars.

Kaz Grala is trying hard to find a ride, and the 32 car has been mentioned. (I've heard nothing about Corey LaJoie.)

Also, expect most 2021 dates to be one-day shows without practice or qualifying. Expect a schedule announcement next week, but may be only half of the 2021 schedule at this time.
 
wi_racefan said:
He came back to run a late model race after 5 years out of a car. Sounds like they had to convince him to run, he wasn't looking for a ride.

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I recall him saying when he left that it just wasn't for him, in words that gave me the impression he either wasn't enjoying it, didn't have the skills, or both.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
'Should be' Isn't 'will be'. There are always folks looking for an excuse to take offense at something, often at subjects less important than race relations.
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I don't think that the only hurdle is sponsors. A big hurdle is the auto manufacturers. Which one of them wants their brand tied to someone who used that term in our society?
 
CopeMan said:
I don't think that the only hurdle is sponsors. A big hurdle is the auto manufacturers. Which one of them wants their brand tied to someone who used that term in our society?
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The top Ford team is owned by one of the sports biggest hot heads.

Toyota has been controversial from day 1 with performance scandals and just a general dislike of the brand.

Meanwhile the NASCAR “King” is not without his own controversy.

t3198ddjnw451.jpg


I believe if Larson makes his return, he will be just fine.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
The top Ford team is owned by one of the sports biggest hot heads.

Toyota has been controversial from day 1 with performance scandals and just a general dislike of the brand.

Meanwhile the NASCAR “King” is not without his own controversy.

t3198ddjnw451.jpg


I believe if Larson makes his return, he will be just fine.
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Richard Perty raising rhe Confederate Flag in 1960s resulted in zero controversy. There was even a race called the Rebel something or other. You cant compare what Petty did in the past with what Larson did in 2020. I know SJWs like to punish retroactively but lol.
 
bob pockrass was saying to the best of his knowledge Larson hasn't formally asked for reinstatement. Supposedly they had some informal conversations as to what the requirements would be.

My guess is as part of those informal discussions they told him not to make a formal request until he has to (has a deal together) and to wait til after the season ends. I think they last thing they want is to have this come up during the playoffs. If they can get it into the winter when people aren't thinking about nascar and are busy watching football would be best

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Mark said:
Richard Perty raising rhe Confederate Flag in 1960s resulted in zero controversy. There was even a race called the Rebel something or other. You cant compare what Petty did in the past with what Larson did in 2020. I know SJWs like to punish retroactively but lol.
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That comparison is laughable. It wasn't even Richard with the flag, probably Maurice or one of the crew members.
 
MRM said:
That comparison is laughable. It wasn't even Richard with the flag, probably Maurice or one of the crew members.
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By the looks of it, I would say that is Darlington which until circa 1982 the spring race was the Rebel 500. My guess is that the flag has more to do with THAT than anything else. Richard won that race in 1966 and 1967, and I'll bet that that picture is on the way to victory lane in one of those two years. The guy on the car MIGHT actually be someone from the track.
 
Looks like Bubba is going to drive the GOAT's car after all....
 
Old 97 said:
Bob Pockrass is reporting on it.
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Go on. There was one race this year where Bubba and Jimmie were talking, Bubba jabbed at him, seemed to whisper something, and they both laughed.

Totally grasping at straws, but I remember thinking "I wonder if Bubba is being considered for the 48."

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These are so many things about the Denny/MJ team that doesn't make sense to me.

First off who's the 3rd person? As in who's going to run the team? MJ has no experience in racing and judging by his past management/ownership roles he wouldn't be on the top of my list. Then there's Denny, to the best of my knowledge he has no experience in managing a race team. I mean does he even own a late model team? Even if he does I think it would be pretty hard to race for one team, honor sponsor commitments, and manage an additional team. Let's not forget Kyle had some experience and he still couldn't even cut it in the Xfinity series.

Then there's the question of why the cup series? I mean you're just going to bypass trying to be part of a lower series to truly find out how this thing works? Well that's a heck of a lot of confidence....

I assume this will be a Toyota team so the next thing is how do they actually make this thing look like a complete independent team instead of a 5th JGR car? It needs to be independent enough so that they don't get hit with being over the 4 car max with Denny driving for a 4 car team and owning another.

After that I guess its smaller things of who's going to be willing to work there being the great history of the "satellite" team. But I guess if you have a big enough checkbook you can buy whoever you need.

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dale sr did a good job with dei
wi_racefan said:
These are so many things about the Denny/MJ team that doesn't make sense to me.

First off who's the 3rd person? As in who's going to run the team? MJ has no experience in racing and judging by his past management/ownership roles he wouldn't be on the top of my list. Then there's Denny, to the best of my knowledge he has no experience in managing a race team. I mean does he even own a late model team? Even if he does I think it would be pretty hard to race for one team, honor sponsor commitments, and manage an additional team. Let's not forget Kyle had some experience and he still couldn't even cut it in the Xfinity series.

Then there's the question of why the cup series? I mean you're just going to bypass trying to be part of a lower series to truly find out how this thing works? Well that's a heck of a lot of confidence....

I assume this will be a Toyota team so the next thing is how do they actually make this thing look like a complete independent team instead of a 5th JGR car? It needs to be independent enough so that they don't get hit with being over the 4 car max with Denny driving for a 4 car team and owning another.

After that I guess its smaller things of who's going to be willing to work there being the great history of the "satellite" team. But I guess if you have a big enough checkbook you can buy whoever you need.

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