Cup RACE thread --- Homestead

[Naitch]

I don't think he has a lack of care. I don't know if I agree with that.

But where I DO somewhat agree, at least in my opinion, is that Larson is a very instinctual racer. And I think because of how often he races on dirt, he brings some habits instinctually into the cup car that resulted in the mistakes he makes. I think that if Larson ran less on dirt, those habits would become less "sticky" if you will, and newer habits would develop. I think that logic is reasonable. At the same time, maybe it IS making him a better stock car driver. Regardless, even if ending his dirt racing made him less mistake prone, I would NOT want to see him quit it, or any other racing outside NASCAR, because we as fans miss out.

We can't know for sure. What I do know is Larson is mistake prone, and it makes me feel better as a fan if there is a reason for it, and if it's "fixable", in theory.

But who knows.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I can respect this. We somewhat disagree about the root of Larson’s problems but that’s how things go. I think Larson would have better stock car racing instincts if he were running CARS races or showing up at some local asphalt tracks. I also think closed cars are safer than sprint cars so his injury risk would be lower. If Larson were running four fendered car races during the week, he would be spanking the field on Sundays and closing races like a champ. He’s one of the best ever on raw talent, he just needs to improve his instincts.

For the record too, I don’t have an issue with open wheel racing. It just isn’t my thing. I like four fenders on my cars. Some of you (not you @jaqua19) need to take open wheel dirt racing off a pedestal.

 

[Turtle84]

These clowns better get their **** together. Ty Gibbs is coming.

if he's got the helmet on they better run

 

[StandOnIt]

Still at least at this stage Larson isn’t really close, but he could be. It’s just the composure and awareness etc that separates some of the true greats given similar talent levels etc imo.

Larson is already a hall of famer in Sprint cars and Nascar as it sits. So what now, a better Hall of Famer.

 

[BobbyFord]

He made mistakes today and still beat a lot of good cars. Beat most of the HMS cars.
They will be chasing him very soon.

 

[Revman]

He is probably reminding everyone to be sure to list their ring size for the championship ring order.

That's what Larson was doing with his finger on pit road! Keep doing that.

 

[Nitro Dude]

I don't think he has a lack of care. I don't know if I agree with that.

But where I DO somewhat agree, at least in my opinion, is that Larson is a very instinctual racer. And I think because of how often he races on dirt, he brings some habits instinctually into the cup car that resulted in the mistakes he makes. I think that if Larson ran less on dirt, those habits would become less "sticky" if you will, and newer habits would develop. I think that logic is reasonable. At the same time, maybe it IS making him a better stock car driver. Regardless, even if ending his dirt racing made him less mistake prone, I would NOT want to see him quit it, or any other racing outside NASCAR, because we as fans miss out.

We can't know for sure. What I do know is Larson is mistake prone, and it makes me feel better as a fan if there is a reason for it, and if it's "fixable", in theory, opposed to him just being an overdriving error prone wheel man who will always leave wins on the table.

But who knows.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

What about all of the many dirt track fans that Larson has acquired though out the years that has supported him by buying his merch and attends races just because he is going to be there. Don’t you think he would be doing an injustice to them if he just stopped racing dirt cars? We can argue all day long about if racing in other series helps or hurts a drivers performance but at the end of the day drivers have to do what they think is best for them and there fans. As long as the sponsors and team owners doesn’t have a problem with it I sure don’t have a problem with it.

 

[StandOnIt]

 

[Nitro Dude]

That’s hilarious.

 

[StandOnIt]

RIP

 

[pjmolo]

Bell’s wife is beautiful

She comes from a racing family

Yeah, that explains it . . . .

 

[jaqua19]

Larson is already a hall of famer in Sprint cars and Nascar as it sits. So what now, a better Hall of Famer.

In a cup car, Jimmie was much better than Larson is right now. That's what we were talking about in that case.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[StandOnIt]

In a cup car, Jimmie was much better than Larson is right now. That's what we were talking about in that case.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Who freaking cares? Nothing is the same in Nascar anymore for comparison.

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

That error today was a head scratcher. Mistakes happen, Larson has made a few since he’s taken over the # 5 entry for HMS. He’s also won a ton and had a championship year in 2021. My point is it makes me a bit uneasy with the Game 7 Championship race, sometimes it’s a roller coaster with Larson. I don’t know if I subscribe to the theory about all the extra curricular activities outside the Cup car messing with his focus on race day, but he has had instances where he overdrives or wrecks and you’re just like “what?”. I’m still betting the farm on him this year if you put a gun to my head, that 5 crew is on especially since the last round.

Funny you all are invoking the name of Jimmie Johnson, I’ll tell you who has a mentality like his…the driver of the 24. Each week more and more Byron reminds me of a JJ in training if you will. Cool, calm, collected, doesn’t beat himself and very talented. When he figures it all out, watch out. Byron reminds me of a little each of a slice of Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett and JJ in his driving style.

 

[jaqua19]

What about all of the many dirt track fans that Larson has acquired though out the years that has supported him by buying his merch and attends races just because he is going to be there. Don’t you think he would be doing an injustice to them if he just stopped racing dirt cars? We can argue all day long about if racing in other series helps or hurts a drivers performance but at the end of the day drivers have to do what they think is best for them and there fans. As long as the sponsors and team owners doesn’t have a problem with it I sure don’t have a problem with it.

Right, Yes, he would be doing an injustice to those fans. Absolutely. Again, I'm not arguing whether or not he should stop racing dirt. I hear the point you are making, and I'm not disagreeing with it whatsoever. Larson is an eclectic driver, and his racing outside of NASCAR makes him who he is and it is a disservice to take that away. I'd like to clarify, because as I said, I do not think Larson should quit dirt, nor do I want him to.

However, that fact is that he is mistake prone in a cup car, and as a fan of his, analyzing and hypothesizing why he is so mistake prone, and guessing a solution is absolutey worth a discussion as a race fan. My guess on this may be right or wrong, as you said. But just because I think focusing only on cup would make him better in cup does not mean I think he *should* focus only on cup, or that I want him to. Hope I've made that clear.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Nitro Dude]

I just rewatched the Larson incident and I have to give him credit for avoiding what could have been a much worse incident. When he saw that he wasn’t going to be able to slow down enough he steered towards the barrels to try and avoid hitting Blaney square in the rear of the car which could have severely injured Blaney. But also Larson could have hit the wall if the barrel’s hadn’t did their job and Larson could have been seriously injured.

 

[jaqua19]

He'd wipe his ass with it, pay it, and then pay the fine for "actions detrimental" before going back to sleep on his 301 cup wins, 14 championships, and billion dollar value.

Dog Dad The Pilot really stuck it to him there.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[StandOnIt]

That Error wasn't a head scratcher to me. Larson was going to make up time on Blaney, out pit him and take control back of the race. He didn't bank on Blaney being so slow at pit in. Blaney had missed pit row in practice, so that could be part of the reason why Blaney was being over cautious. Larson hooked hard right to not ruin Blaney's day.

 

[jaqua19]

I just rewatched the Larson incident and I have to give him credit for avoiding what could have been a much worse incident. When he saw that he wasn’t going to be able to slow down enough he steered towards the barrels to try and avoid hitting Blaney square in the rear of the car which could have severely injured Blaney. But also Larson could have hit the wall if the barrel’s hadn’t did their job and Larson could have been seriously injured.

You think he had time to try to pull left? He may have spun into the inside wall if he did that.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[jaqua19]

That Error wasn't a head scratcher to me. Larson was going to make up time on Blaney, out pit him and take control back of the race. He didn't bank on Blaney being so slow at pit in. Blaney had missed pit row in practice, so that could be part of the reason why Blaney was being over cautious. Larson hooked hard right to not ruin Blaney's day.

Larson was coming into pit road like that all race..the error was not playing it cool. I don't see it as a head scratcher either. Just an a lack of caution, a luxury you have when already locked in to the final 4.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Nitro Dude]

You think he had time to try to pull left? He may have spun into the inside wall if he did that.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

No, with the short amount of time he had I think he made the only one he could to not dead on slam Blaney. But if those barrels had not done their job he would have slammed the wall head on.

 

[StandOnIt]

No, with the short amount of time he had I think he made the only one he could to not dead on slam Blaney. But if those barrels had not done their job he would have slammed the wall head on.

It was a heads up move and he almost pulled it off if Blaney would have been a little over farther to the left.

 

[hmmm298]

Larson is already a hall of famer in Sprint cars and Nascar as it sits. So what now, a better Hall of Famer.

So what now? If he really had the instinct, which he’s young and very well might still, then he could be the goat tbh.

 

[Nitro Dude]

It was a heads up move and he almost pulled it off if Blaney would have been a little over farther to the left.

There will be 2 levels of aggressive now. I can hear all of the crew chiefs telling their drivers I want you to be aggressive coming on to pit road but not Larson aggressive.

 

[hmmm298]

I can hear all of the crew chiefs now telling their drivers I want you to be aggressive coming on to pit road but not Larson aggressive.

I would add “but look for the 11 car. If he pits at the same time and is ahead then try to follow him but make sure you’re just a tick slower at all times.”

 

[StandOnIt]

There will be 2 standards of aggressive now. I can hear all of the crew chiefs now telling their drivers I want you to be aggressive coming on to pit road but not Larson aggressive.

Larson and his crew has been smoking the field in the pits almost every week. This week was the first time in a long time they lost spots in the second stage.

 

[hmmm298]

I would add “but look for the 11 car. If he pits at the same time and is ahead then try to follow him but make sure you’re just a tick slower at all times.”

Tbh though that took balls to try that by Larson. And quite possibly would have won the race if he made the pass there.

 

[StandOnIt]

In a cup car, Jimmie was much better than Larson is right now. That's what we were talking about in that case.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Bud, I never said that. But hey, some honesty with that assumption!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

This B.S. above is what you said. Nothing is the same except they both raced for Hendrick. The short time Johnson raced the new car he was terrible.
Just to make it plain as day, I'm not saying either is better or worse, you are.

 

[Nitro Dude]

My overall view is that Larson drives on the edge most of the time and that is one of the reasons he wins so much. The downfall to that is it also will cause him to lose sometimes. The key is to accumulate more wins than losses and he seems to do that on a regular basis in any race car he drives. Like I said earlier, there is aggressive, and there is Larson aggressive.

 

[StandOnIt]

My overall view is that Larson drives on the edge most of the time and that is one of the reasons he wins so much. The downfall to that is it also will cause him to lose sometimes. The key is to accumulate more wins than losses and he seems to do that on a regular basis in any race car he drives. Like I said earlier, there is aggressive, and there is Larson aggressive.

Somebody else I know does the same thing at slot world.

 

[hmmm298]

My overall view is that Larson drives on the edge most of the time and that is one of the reasons he wins so much. The downfall to that is it also will cause him to lose sometimes. The key is to accumulate more wins than losses and he seems to do that on a regular basis in any race car he drives. Like I said earlier, there is aggressive, and there is Larson aggressive.

He’s the ultimate example of the “you can slow a fast driver down” theory tbh.

 

[jaqua19]

This B.S. above is what you said. Nothing is the same except they both raced for Hendrick. The short time Johnson raced the new car he was terrible.
Just to make it plain as day, I'm not saying either is better or worse, you are.

I never said era. You did. Twice. Even suggested I think they raced in the same era.

I'm referencing that combination between talent and racecraft. You are, once again, making assumptions and rules. The only implication that wasn't specified was that I was referencing Johnson's prime. So even if era was an implied criteria on my part and not just another assumption on yours, Johnson's time in the next gen isn't relevant.

You're way too focused on proving me wrong. I mean for the love of God dude. What you're saying is utter nonsense. I can't discuss this with you anymore if you won't read and take a moment to comprehend. You are the living embodiment of the false consensus effect lol

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[StandOnIt]

I never said era. You did. Twice. Even suggested I think they raced in the same era.

I'm referencing that combination between talent and racecraft. You are, once again, making assumptions and rules. The only implication that wasn't specified was that I was referencing Johnson's prime. So even if era was an implied criteria on my part and not just another assumption on yours, Johnson's time in the next gen isn't relevant.

You're way too focused on proving me wrong. I mean for the love of God dude. What you're saying is utter nonsense. I can't discuss this with you anymore if you won't read and take a moment to comprehend. You are the living embodiment of the false consensus effect lol

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I understand you wouldn't know what is up if there was a large U and a P right in front of you. It's an advantage for you to act like you don't know anything because it's easier to cover your constant nonsense. Why don't you compare drivers who drive the same car in the same era? At least you would make some kind of sense with all of your endless babbling. Comparing Petty to Earnhardt to Johnson to Larson is an exercise that is flawed from the get go. They all raced in different eras.

 

[Dr_B_UNC]

So, can we meet in the middle and say Larson is the best in NASCAR AND he leaves wins on the table because he's mistake prone?

LOL.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Agreed. He's "the best" right now, but he could be so much better. *puts on asbestos suit* I'd argue that the talent pool in NASCAR right now is a lot lower than the "glory days" when the legends were made. There's no Dale Sr or Jimmie Johnson in the sport right now. There is no gold standard to measure against. Sure there are some really really good ones (Logano, Harvick, Truex, etc) but those guys aren't JJ, prime Gordon, or Sr. Nowhere close. So to really be mentioned on the Mt Rushmore of racing with those guys, Larson should be dominating even more than he is. If he were racing those guys for titles, imho, he mentally cracks every time. That's why I'm sick of hearing about it. I respect the mad dirt skills, but I just dgaf. I'm not a dirt fan. It's like bragging about your favorite NFL player being awesome at Madden. Tangentially related sure, but worth nothing to their NFL career.

I apologize for not reading the whole thread before responding as I see some of my points are already being argued. I said what I said though.

 

[Dr_B_UNC]

I don't think he has a lack of care. I don't know if I agree with that.

But where I DO somewhat agree, at least in my opinion, is that Larson is a very instinctual racer. And I think because of how often he races on dirt, he brings some habits instinctually into the cup car that resulted in the mistakes he makes. I think that if Larson ran less on dirt, those habits would become less "sticky" if you will, and newer habits would develop. I think that logic is reasonable. At the same time, maybe it IS making him a better stock car driver. Regardless, even if ending his dirt racing made him less mistake prone, I would NOT want to see him quit it, or any other racing outside NASCAR, because we as fans miss out.

We can't know for sure. What I do know is Larson is mistake prone, and it makes me feel better as a fan if there is a reason for it, and if it's "fixable", in theory, opposed to him just being an overdriving error prone wheel man who will always leave wins on the table.

But who knows.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Well said.

 

[Dr_B_UNC]

Dude, SOI is the Dale Sr of trolling. He's one of the if not THE GOAT and does it with a "like it or don't, I couldn't care less" attitude. Gotta respect the skills. It's what makes this board fun.

 

[Efisher131]

Dude, SOI is the Dale Sr of trolling. He's one of the if not THE GOAT and does it with a "like it or don't, I couldn't care less" attitude. Gotta respect the skills. It's what makes this board fun.

Agreed. This place would have 40% less posts if he didn’t exist.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

He also posts a lot of information about each week's races, and saves me from having to wade through Twitter myself.

 

[Revman]

I just rewatched the Larson incident and I have to give him credit for avoiding what could have been a much worse incident. When he saw that he wasn’t going to be able to slow down enough he steered towards the barrels to try and avoid hitting Blaney square in the rear of the car which could have severely injured Blaney. But also Larson could have hit the wall if the barrel’s hadn’t did their job and Larson could have been seriously injured.

Are you serious? I mean like really? Wow, you must really like him.

 

[Revman]

Yeah, that explains it . . . .

View attachment 73687

Saw this couple at the airport flying out of San Francisco. Humble....very kind.

 

[Pat]

I wish Blaney could hold on to it, but I can't believe he can hold off Truex or Hamlin for the last spot.