Dodge Wants Better Performance Out Of The No. 7

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smack500

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Dodge has expressed its disappointment with the No. 7 team's performance this season. Casey Atwood's best finish this season was 11th, in June at Pocono, and he has been higher than 30th in points just once this season. "We're looking for the performance of this team to get better over the next six races," co-owner Jim Smith says. "Sirius is locked in for next year and wants to extend the contract, but they told us we need to make improvements." Atwood, 22, has hinted he would be happier back in the Busch Series, but he is under contract for another year. Smith says he and partner Ray Evernham have not discussed bringing in a replacement driver
 
I think what Atwood is saying rings true about that entire team. He would rather be in the Busch series where he knows he can find a team to support him, then trying to drive a horrible car with a bad team.
 
If Roush was smart, he'd put him in the 60 car next year in the BGN.
 
The hits keep rolling in against this poor kid.

Everham may well have ruined someone's entire career.
 
Thats true Paul. I think he did better when him and ray was in a ford for a few races in 2000 (i belive thats the right year)
 
i think he is a swetheart that has more potential than mayfield and he basically stole his ride from under him i am sorry what they did to him and i wish him the best
 
Casey should go back to BGN where he can run in a good car instead of running cup with a bad car.
 
Casey was getting a lot better towards the end of the 2001 season. I can't believe that Ray didn't leave him in that car and send Jeremy packing to the 7 car!
 
I think we all want to see the #7 team run better, but it hasn't run well since Alan Kulwicki drove it, so why should it now? Making it a Dodge and putting Atwood in it was just a desperate attempt make that team run half-decently, and Atwood got the short end of the straw on that deal.

I think it would be a good idea for Atwood to get out of that #7 car before it tarnishes his career any more than it already has.
 
If Casey is under contract, can he leave? Maybe he's hoping he will be released........at least he can salvage some money. He's good enough for Cup, but going back to Busch at his age would be a bigger plus for him in the long run. He's in a tough spot but he'll make it.........I don't think his career is ruined. Not all drivers can come off the blocks like JJ or Tony.:)
 
Originally posted by DE Wrangler 2
If Casey is under contract, can he leave?  Maybe he's hoping he will be released........at least he can salvage some money.  He's good enough for Cup, but going back to Busch at his age would be a bigger plus for him in the long run.  He's in a tough spot but he'll make it.........I don't think his career is ruined.  Not all drivers can come off the blocks like JJ or Tony.:)
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Very true, he's no famous driver's son or brother. Worked just as hard as the two you mentioned to get from nothing to the big league.
 
Dodge wants better performance? Well that's just too dern bad. I mean they shoulda figured it was an uphill battle from the gate and if they ain't in it for the long haul maybe they ought to back out.

With that said, Casey is going to be just fine. Whether it be in the 7 Dodge of Ray or whereever else he chooses to go. Was he ready for the big time? Who knows. Ray thought so. Ray could've had his pick of any number of drivers.

Ray needs for Casey and team to step up just as much as Casey needs Casey and team to step up. But the question remains, has Casey got another step in him, or he destined to be another kid that had his chance but couldn't cut the mustard?

Let me fire up the crystal ball and I'll get back to ya.
 
I think Casey does have the potential to step up. I just don't think the 7 is where it is. Last year in the 19 he finally came together at the end of the year. Shame he had to be booted.
 
There are always certain ways he could be fired too. Just start pissing your team off and wreck cars.
 
Originally posted by 66mustang
There are always certain ways he could be fired too.  Just start pissing your team off and wreck cars.
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Don't know about the pissing the team off.......but he's racked up a couple cars!:)
 
Casey had some good runs at the end of last season. It seems obvious that Casey isn't the problem. It is the car and the team. Jeremy Mayfield isn't doing any better in the 19 car than Casey did last season.
 
You wonder how good Casey would be in the 19 this year, since that team is the same as what he had last year.
 
Casey Atwood is as talented a driver at this point in his career as you are going to find anywhere. Put Jeff Gordon in that car for a few weeks and see how it finishes. Put Casey in the 24 and watch him roll. Casey is media savvy enough, professional enough, and talented enough to become a household name in this sport. Too damn bad he got the short straw at EMS. I just hope some other owner sees this as the chance to get him in a top ride and cash the checks. This kid has a head on his shoulders, and when he gets his break, look out.
 
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