2022 Silly Season

They addressed the TJ Majors spotter deal this week on DBC. Joey went to Penske and said he wanted Brad's guy because they were best friends, and my understanding was that it was for next year. TJ said "why not switch now and get it over with?" They did, and it sounds like TJ has a prior friendship/relationship with Kes so this works. (Did he spot for Kes in the JRM days before he left for Penske in Cup?) TJ also made a comment that this helps pave the way for him to "get off the roof." I took it that he would like a way out of the spotting grind and he is looking to take more of a "desk job" with Keselowski or someone else.

EDIT: Here's link. Starts at 4:00 mark.

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Funny side note from this week's episode: NASCAR called the guys from DBC (TJ, Freddie, Brett) to the red hauler last weekend and had a come to Jesus meeting about the podcast. They were none too happy with criticism in media of NASCAR's officiating and behind the scenes stuff and let the guys know it.
 
I could be wrong, I thought the general assumption is that track is basically done and Chicago has been having talks of what they want to do with the property… is there still a debate playing out about its future?
 
How much time does this board give Bubba at 23XI? He’s in a much higher funded team this year who is expanding but he’s only 50 points better than last season at this same point. Do you see more success with the Next Gen car?

Jordan said “we arent signing checks to losers” so it’s unclear how long he is willing to wait for Bubba to break out.
nascar.nbcsports.com

Analysis: The extent of Bubba Wallace's ability is still not clear

If Bubba Wallace misses the playoffs in his first year at 23XI Racing, it could make for a blessing in disguise.
nascar.nbcsports.com nascar.nbcsports.com
 
ChexOrWrex said:
How much time does this board give Bubba at 23XI? He’s in a much higher funded team this year who is expanding but he’s only 50 points better than last season at this same point. Do you see more success with the Next Gen car?

Jordan said “we arent signing checks to losers” so it’s unclear how long he is willing to wait for Bubba to break out.
nascar.nbcsports.com

Analysis: The extent of Bubba Wallace's ability is still not clear

If Bubba Wallace misses the playoffs in his first year at 23XI Racing, it could make for a blessing in disguise.
nascar.nbcsports.com nascar.nbcsports.com
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I imagined he would at least have two seasons to show himself in the #23… I don’t recall reading his current contract, so if that info is out there I don’t know how long Jordan and Denny have him signed for at this second.

I do feel like a two year deal is fair for him to show himself though. I think one season would be faarrr too short.
 
He's still scored more points than Erik Jones to this point as well in the 43 last year.

FYI.

Anyways, Denny knew the team was going to be an uphill battle. Bubba I feel over estimated what he was given in his early season predictions. He's shown improvement, but once again he has three primary weaknesses.

- He gets in his own head.
- Lap to Lap consistency, at times.
- Road course improvement.

He could be a top 15 driver, but the issue is that the raw ability he has needs to be ironed out. The article is great though and covers all the bases.
 
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ChexOrWrex said:
How much time does this board give Bubba at 23XI?
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Personally, I'd give him as much time as Wendell Scott had. I understand that Bubba regularly receives racist bile thrown at him by a segment of the public. I appreciate Bubba's grace and resolve in a difficult situation. It would be a tragedy for the sport of Nascar if Bubba washes out of the sport to the delight of that vocal, racist segment.

As the David Smith article concludes, we don't really know how good Bubba is yet. The 23XI team is fully funded, but they are a start-up team in a lame-duck year. They are heavily staffed by Leavine Family staff. They might be running the same cars as LFR. That was the original plan as I understand it, and I'm not sure it has changed.

Last year after 25 races, Christopher Bell had 456 points. This year, Bubba has 482 points. Next year, with Next Gen hardware parity, I would expect Bubba's true capabilities to be more evident... especially if there is a Gibbs relationship regarding set-up data and simulation.
 
Kiante said:
He's still scored more points than Erik Jones to this point as well in the 43 last year.

FYI.

Anyways, Denny knew the team was going to be an uphill battle. Bubba I feel over estimated what he was given in his early season predictions. He's shown improvement, but once again he has three primary weaknesses.

- He gets in his own head.
- Lap to Lap consistency, at times.
- Road course improvement.

He could be a top 15 driver, but the issue is that the raw ability he has needs to be ironed out. The article is great though and covers all the bases.
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Kiante that’s a good analysis on Bubba. We all speculate on what else is needed. Every driver in Cup can drive a race car. Equipment means a lot, but the nuances of communication with the crew chief, spotter, managing tires, where tuning is needed and when. And that’s apart from the actual driving skills where the fine micro-skills can separate drivers from good to great. Agree next year will be the truest test.
 
LewTheShoe said:
Personally, I'd give him as much time as Wendell Scott had. I understand that Bubba regularly receives racist bile thrown at him by a segment of the public. I appreciate Bubba's grace and resolve in a difficult situation. It would be a tragedy for the sport of Nascar if Bubba washes out of the sport to the delight of that vocal, racist segment.

As the David Smith article concludes, we don't really know how good Bubba is yet. The 23XI team is fully funded, but they are a start-up team in a lame-duck year. They are heavily staffed by Leavine Family staff. They might be running the same cars as LFR. That was the original plan as I understand it, and I'm not sure it has changed.

Last year after 25 races, Christopher Bell had 456 points. This year, Bubba has 482 points. Next year, with Next Gen hardware parity, I would expect Bubba's true capabilities to be more evident... especially if there is a Gibbs relationship regarding set-up data and simulation.
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Same can be said for Saurez, new teams are not easy to thrive right off the bat.

We see that with Trackhouse, they have been outstanding. I cannot believe the reliability issues they have had with being an RCR affiliated team. RCR and reliability have gone hand to hand for years.

All three new teams have been solid, McLeod and Tifft deserve a lot of praise for getting the 78 off of the ground as well.

What Bubba and Daniel have done this season, they have both shown flashes of what their teams can do. Come next year, I feel expectations will go up. Hopefully, they both get teammates. I mean, Chastain will be at Trackhouse. That will be a great inter-team battle, neither give an inch.

Kurt Busch is the dream for 23XI, he would be the ultimate measuring stick for Bubba.
 
I called out the 23XI team when they started. You can't just start a team with very little experience, zero knowledge about who would be a good hire for the team and they have to make all of the stupid little mistakes starting out and knowing virtually nothing about the racing business.

Trackhouse on the other hand have way less money, but at the helm they have a guy that has been in the racing business for years in Justin Marks. Hard to beat experience.
 
StandOnIt said:
They all are getting practice in next year. That could be key for some of the underfunded/inexperienced teams for their setups. I'm excited for what the next year will bring.
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KDB is big on the practice/adjustment cycle. Next season? Let the big dog eat!
 
Hawaii808 said:
Good to know with all that's happening in the world lately, that there are still some things we can count on.
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I think he will overcome the crappy car and all of the dumb ass drivers in his way that dare to race on the same track as he so his greatness can shine thru all of the diversity. :biggrin:
 
ChexOrWrex said:
What is the point difference? I would hope that the 23XI team is blowing them away.
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No, I mean comparing both drivers in the same car. Between this season and last season,m.

Yeah, I was one of the ones boosting the team as well. However, I failed to realize everything was carryover from LFR equipment and crew members. Do I think 23XI could be performing at a higher level? Of course, I think they should be, but Denny's plan is in action. Every quarter of the season they are improving, so I'm interested to see how they perform down the line.
 
LewTheShoe said:
Personally, I'd give him as much time as Wendell Scott had. I understand that Bubba regularly receives racist bile thrown at him by a segment of the public. I appreciate Bubba's grace and resolve in a difficult situation. It would be a tragedy for the sport of Nascar if Bubba washes out of the sport to the delight of that vocal, racist segment.
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Why would any team judge how their driver is performing and if they deserve to stay on the team based on the type of hate they receive from the public? Every driver gets hate, some worse than others. What matters at the end of the day is team performance.

FWIW, Wendell dealt with a sanctioning body that was actively working against him to succeed. It actually effected his performance and results. That is far different than receiving BS on social media. Bubba has the full support of everyone involved in the sport.

I agree with the judgements you made under this statement, but I don’t understand this take. Enlighten me.
 
JGR_20 said:
I could be wrong, I thought the general assumption is that track is basically done and Chicago has been having talks of what they want to do with the property… is there still a debate playing out about its future?
Click to expand...
From the Chicagoland Speedway website:

"As far as NASCAR racing at the Chicagoland Speedway, it’s difficult at this time to speculate on what 2022 might bring. We will continue to work with NASCAR on potential future opportunities beyond 2021 and will keep you updated."
 
pjmolo said:
From the Chicagoland Speedway website:

"As far as NASCAR racing at the Chicagoland Speedway, it’s difficult at this time to speculate on what 2022 might bring. We will continue to work with NASCAR on potential future opportunities beyond 2021 and will keep you updated."
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I know on TMD this morning Pete said that some of the grandstands have already been dismantled

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ChexOrWrex said:
How much time does this board give Bubba at 23XI? He’s in a much higher funded team this year who is expanding but he’s only 50 points better than last season at this same point. Do you see more success with the Next Gen car?

Jordan said “we arent signing checks to losers” so it’s unclear how long he is willing to wait for Bubba to break out.
nascar.nbcsports.com

Analysis: The extent of Bubba Wallace's ability is still not clear

If Bubba Wallace misses the playoffs in his first year at 23XI Racing, it could make for a blessing in disguise.
nascar.nbcsports.com nascar.nbcsports.com
Click to expand...
I've almost seen Jordan and Bubba as mutually exclusive. The question is, is Bubba a lifer, like Almirola at SHR?

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jaqua19 said:
I've almost seen Jordan and Bubba as mutually exclusive. The question is, is Bubba a lifer, like Almirola at SHR?

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Click to expand...

I can’t figure Bubba out. Dude regularly goes out there and kills it on short tracks, I feel like I’m top equipment he’d be a regular contender at Bristol/Martinsville. But just doesn’t seem to have IT when it comes to everything else.
 
pjmolo said:
From the Chicagoland Speedway website:

"As far as NASCAR racing at the Chicagoland Speedway, it’s difficult at this time to speculate on what 2022 might bring. We will continue to work with NASCAR on potential future opportunities beyond 2021 and will keep you updated."
Click to expand...
I am getting confused what thread I am in again. Is this the thread about schedule changes and race tracks or the Matty D thread? Regarding the later, I wonder how Matty D would have done in the 23 vs Bubba and how Bubba would have done in the 21 vs Matty D?
 
DIDIT said:
I am getting confused what thread I am in again. Is this the thread about schedule changes and race tracks or the Matty D thread? Regarding the later, I wonder how Matty D would have done in the 23 vs Bubba and how Bubba would have done in the 21 vs Matty D?
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I was just thinking that this would be a good place to start the "Matty D to the 23" posts! LOL
 
Jordan Bianchi (The Athletic) continues to talk about a potential deal between 23XI and Front Row Motorsports. Could 23XI be buying FRM outright? Just buying one charter from the #38 car? Bianchi doesn't know, but expects the situation to clarify within a few weeks.

23XI already has one charter and definitely wants one more (for Kurt Busch). I'd be surprised if they want two more, but it is possible. It could be leased out for 2022, perhaps leased back to FRM to run Michael McDowell in the 34 car.

Other groups possibly seeking charters are GMS Racing and JR Motorsports. And Rick Ware controls four charters but says he wants to field two stronger cars next year (which I take as him saying he wants to sell two charters).

What are the odds 23XI gets a charter from Front Row *and* GMS and JRM each get one from Rick Ware? Probably a longshot for all that to happen, but surely the odds are greater than zero..:bazooka:
 
The only real question is where is the charter coming from?

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