S
smack500
Guest
I realize that it took all of these for him to get ahead but what is the main reason?
H
Happy29
Guest
Luck... it just so happens that Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick have been getting wrecked or having cut tires and Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart have blown engines or been wrecked.
S
stridsberry
Guest
All the good luck in the world doesn't mean squat if you don't have the skill and the car to take advantage of it.
W
Ward Burton
Guest
Skill...he doesn't force a win, or try to out do everyone, he hangs back, and then in the end, he somehow manages to make it into the top 5, or 10.
S
smack500
Guest
I say luck
he cuts a tire and a caution comes out, he spins out and someone else ahead of him spins out and takes 4 or 5 cars with them. I have seen it happen in dozens of races all year. I dont see where he has poven to have that much more skill then the other top 5 drivers.
he cuts a tire and a caution comes out, he spins out and someone else ahead of him spins out and takes 4 or 5 cars with them. I have seen it happen in dozens of races all year. I dont see where he has poven to have that much more skill then the other top 5 drivers.
H
Happy29
Guest
The Way Matt Kenseth is going, a nuclear bomb could hit, his car could go into Lake Lloyd, he could survive several suicide bombings, World War III, the big wreck, and Armageddon all to finish in the top 5.
W
Ward Burton
Guest
Aint it the truth...
G
Gollum
Guest
Matt has had some mighty fine luck. But don't cut his skills short. He is a very good driver.
D
DirtyMo1381529
Guest
I said luck. Its not about how much good luck he's had, its about how little bad luck he's had, and how little good luck jr, harvick, jeff gordon, and ryan newman have had
I said "luck", but only because you didn't put "All of the above" in your poll.
Matt is very patient, mature for his age, clean driver, lots of skill. a fantastic pit crew, Car, and team. Let's just say that if he wins the Cup this year, he will have earned it!
Matt is very patient, mature for his age, clean driver, lots of skill. a fantastic pit crew, Car, and team. Let's just say that if he wins the Cup this year, he will have earned it!
7
71Fan
Guest
All of the above?
1
17_Fan
Guest
Luck my arse!!!! Did Jeff G. have luck on his side when he won 4? Did Dale have luck on his side when he won 7? Well yes, but to think that it was the reason they won their titles is total B.S. Matt has had a couple of lucky races, especially the past few weeks at Bristol & Richmond, but the talent shines through...both with him & the crew.
The reason Dale Jr. isn't closer to Matt in the points? Let's see.
Dale had a car that was loose the entire race at Chicago and instead of settling for what the car was capable of doing; he overdrove the car trying to get to the front. Hence, he lost control of the car all by himself and backed it into the turn 2 wall. If he had some patience and rode it out, possibly giving the crew a chance to fix the problems, he may have had a better finish than 38th.
At Rockingham, he got into the back of someone who checked up & he didn’t have time to check up himself. Understandable, that happens to everyone at some point. But take what the car will give you after that, instead of running like a maniac. He decided to chance it and stayed out 30 laps after that while the car was smoking and eventually cut his tire down and later lost his brake rotor from the effects of the rubber wrapping around the axle. 70 laps later in his haste to get back up front, he took out Jerry Nadeau. 50 laps after that he lost control in turn 2, trying to keep from getting lapped, and went a lap down any ways. With about 100 laps to go in the race, he did it again. Lost control of the car in turn 2. Perfect examples of over driving the car that cost him a decent finish.
You know why Matt is going to be Wc Champ this year? Because if he was running 2nd and ran over debris, whether it's Rockingham in February or Richmond last week, he would have came onto pit road and took on four fresh tires when the caution came out & tried to work his way back to the front as best he could. He wouldn't have stayed out hoping that it didn't do any damage & end up having to come in during green flag laps & lose a lap. Would Junior have done that? Obviously not!
The reason Dale Jr. isn't closer to Matt in the points? Let's see.
Dale had a car that was loose the entire race at Chicago and instead of settling for what the car was capable of doing; he overdrove the car trying to get to the front. Hence, he lost control of the car all by himself and backed it into the turn 2 wall. If he had some patience and rode it out, possibly giving the crew a chance to fix the problems, he may have had a better finish than 38th.
At Rockingham, he got into the back of someone who checked up & he didn’t have time to check up himself. Understandable, that happens to everyone at some point. But take what the car will give you after that, instead of running like a maniac. He decided to chance it and stayed out 30 laps after that while the car was smoking and eventually cut his tire down and later lost his brake rotor from the effects of the rubber wrapping around the axle. 70 laps later in his haste to get back up front, he took out Jerry Nadeau. 50 laps after that he lost control in turn 2, trying to keep from getting lapped, and went a lap down any ways. With about 100 laps to go in the race, he did it again. Lost control of the car in turn 2. Perfect examples of over driving the car that cost him a decent finish.
You know why Matt is going to be Wc Champ this year? Because if he was running 2nd and ran over debris, whether it's Rockingham in February or Richmond last week, he would have came onto pit road and took on four fresh tires when the caution came out & tried to work his way back to the front as best he could. He wouldn't have stayed out hoping that it didn't do any damage & end up having to come in during green flag laps & lose a lap. Would Junior have done that? Obviously not!
17 fan, I said that there shoule have been "all of the above" but I also believe that if everything continues as planned Matt will win the Cup this year!
1
17_Fan
Guest
No worries Kat...I was just p'ing & m'ing about the ones that voted & said it was 'luck'. ((((kat)))))
No worries Kat...I was just p'ing & m'ing about the ones that voted & said it was 'luck'. ((((kat)))))
[/b][/quote]Sweetie, I DID vote luck, but posted why I said that. I LOVE Chebbies, but respect and root for ALL despite the mfgr.
H
Happy29
Guest
Whatever, I still say it's luck. PURE luck.
1
17_Fan
Guest
Wow, you like the ones that melt the cam shafts & the flywheels rattle like a snake in the Mojave desert?
j/k...they all have their frickin' problems!
1
17_Fan
Guest
1
17_Fan
Guest
Or....KMHA!!! :lol:
H
Happy29
Guest
PL 
2
24thunder
Guest
I agree.Pure luck.Not taking anything away from Matt's driving skills or His pitcrewman's abilities,just seems that He's had really good luck,22nd is His worst finish,while Jeff Gordon,Jr.,Toni Stewart & other Title chasers have had way more than Their share of bad luck,thus the points lean heavily in Matt's favor,just as the points were designed to do,ie. award consistency over wins.
Kurt Busch has 4 wins,Ryan Newman has 6 wins & neither driver is even in the Top 5 in point standings.Makes a great case for why the point system needs some tweaking IMO.
Bucky Badger
Go Kyle Go
I think it's skill and patience. Matt took the lead in the points and had confidence, after that he knew "could" have a chance to win the cup and that momentium still drives him.
R
Roush_Racer
Guest
It's skill, Matt is the best points racer on the track, while drivers like Harvick, Jr., Newman, etc. have screwed up sometimes while running over the edge trying to win a race, Kenseth has always found the line before it bit him, he has some luck too, but luck dosent help unless your in a position to take advantage of it. Matt may not be the best banzai winner on the track, but no one is more consistently fast than he is, period.
S
smack500
Guest
I dont see how you can call getting a caution when your tire goes out skill.
I dont see how you can call 8 people getting involved in something when you have car problems skill.
It has happened all year and will probally continue to happen mat better enjoy it while he can.
Hes a very good driver and has a very good pit crew and car, but If it werent for all the lucky breaks he caught he would be in the same predicament is everyone else.
I dont see how you can call 8 people getting involved in something when you have car problems skill.
It has happened all year and will probally continue to happen mat better enjoy it while he can.
Hes a very good driver and has a very good pit crew and car, but If it werent for all the lucky breaks he caught he would be in the same predicament is everyone else.
H
Happy29
Guest
My thoughts exactly Smack
R
RobbyG Fan
Guest
25% luck.
75% driver patience/skill/crew chief/etc.
You can have all the luck in the world but if you cant drive a race car or have the talent of a Larry Foyt then it wont matter squat. You still will be deep in the standings. What a driver has to do is put himself in position to win each race, sometimes the door (luck) opens and sometimes it doesnt. Fact of the matter is Kenseth has stayed out of trouble and put himself in position each and every week. He deserves the credit.
I mainly think its Matt's patience and Reiser's ability to maintain level headed when things look bleak that have Matt so ahead at this point. In certain situations where Matt has been this season, he and the team has handled them calmly, where as if you put Jeff Gordon in the same predicament, he would have overreacted and fallen out of the race, or Junior's crew chief would not have made the right calls, vice versa.
In the end of it all though, credit needs to be place on Matt and the team.
75% driver patience/skill/crew chief/etc.
You can have all the luck in the world but if you cant drive a race car or have the talent of a Larry Foyt then it wont matter squat. You still will be deep in the standings. What a driver has to do is put himself in position to win each race, sometimes the door (luck) opens and sometimes it doesnt. Fact of the matter is Kenseth has stayed out of trouble and put himself in position each and every week. He deserves the credit.
I mainly think its Matt's patience and Reiser's ability to maintain level headed when things look bleak that have Matt so ahead at this point. In certain situations where Matt has been this season, he and the team has handled them calmly, where as if you put Jeff Gordon in the same predicament, he would have overreacted and fallen out of the race, or Junior's crew chief would not have made the right calls, vice versa.
In the end of it all though, credit needs to be place on Matt and the team.
Bucky Badger
Go Kyle Go
Well put RobbyG Fan
7
71Fan
Guest
Opportunity Plus Preparation Equals Luck.
If you are prepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have GOOD luck.
If you are unprepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have BAD luck.
...........so you betcha, Matt has had plenty of good luck as a result of preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities........As A Result.
Even a blind chipmunk finds a nut now and then but Matt is no blind chipmunk. He is highly skilled driver in a very well prepared car with a very well prepared team.
The oldest rule I know of in auto racing is "Finish First To Finish First" and I somehow get the feeling that Matt knows this rule as well as, if not better than anybody out there.
Your experience, opinions, and mileage may vary.
If you are prepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have GOOD luck.
If you are unprepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have BAD luck.
...........so you betcha, Matt has had plenty of good luck as a result of preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities........As A Result.
Even a blind chipmunk finds a nut now and then but Matt is no blind chipmunk. He is highly skilled driver in a very well prepared car with a very well prepared team.
The oldest rule I know of in auto racing is "Finish First To Finish First" and I somehow get the feeling that Matt knows this rule as well as, if not better than anybody out there.
Your experience, opinions, and mileage may vary.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Of course opportunity plus preparation equal luck, up to a point.Originally posted by 71Fan@Sep 14 2003, 02:00 AM
Opportunity Plus Preparation Equals Luck.
If you are prepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have GOOD luck.
If you are unprepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have BAD luck.
...........so you betcha, Matt has had plenty of good luck as a result of preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities........As A Result.
Even a blind chipmunk finds a nut now and then but Matt is no blind chipmunk. He is highly skilled driver in a very well prepared car with a very well prepared team.
The oldest rule I know of in auto racing is "Finish First To Finish First" and I somehow get the feeling that Matt knows this rule as well as, if not better than anybody out there.
Your experience, opinions, and mileage may vary.
How does one prepare for a flat that happens to fall at the same time as a caution flag ??? Is that preparation or opportunity that something that could be a major setback happens at the most opportune moment?? This is not an isolated incident in Matt's run for the championship and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with preparation and opportunity.
Many Kenseth fans think this guy is walking on water, and he is, this year. There is no question Matt Kenseth is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. Next year might find the "opportunity and preparation" claim to become a different story if Lady Luck decides to abandon Kenseth. And what will the hue and cry be ???
The greatest driver in the world has three things going for them, and LUCK is the third one. With all the preparation and opportunity on the face of the earth, without Lady Luck riding with the team, the rest just don't pull together. Jeff Gordon had luck, Stewart, Earnhardt and Petty as well as Yarborough had it, along with past WC Champion. And they all possessed the same quality of being an above average driver with LUCK. Matt is no different.
Kenseth fans can spit rhetoric and praise, offer homilies and sanctimonious huzzahs, but the reality of the matter is, Matt Kenseth still puts his pants on one leg at a time and Matt Kenseth is riding one of the largest three part waves in recent history, opportunity, preparation and LUCK.
Take nothing away, but being realistic, Kenseth is earning and deserving of the honor of being the 2003 and last Winston Cup Champion.
1
17_Fan
Guest
I'm thinking the quote you may be referring too is "to finish first, you must first finish"? It's an old Dick Trickle quote.
1
17_Fan
Guest
Of course opportunity plus preparation equal luck, up to a point.Originally posted by Whizzer+Sep 14 2003, 08:56 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Whizzer @ Sep 14 2003, 08:56 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--71Fan@Sep 14 2003, 02:00 AM
Opportunity Plus Preparation Equals Luck.
If you are prepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have GOOD luck.
If you are unprepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have BAD luck.
...........so you betcha, Matt has had plenty of good luck as a result of preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities........As A Result.
Even a blind chipmunk finds a nut now and then but Matt is no blind chipmunk. He is highly skilled driver in a very well prepared car with a very well prepared team.
The oldest rule I know of in auto racing is "Finish First To Finish First" and I somehow get the feeling that Matt knows this rule as well as, if not better than anybody out there.
Your experience, opinions, and mileage may vary.
How does one prepare for a flat that happens to fall at the same time as a caution flag ??? Is that preparation or opportunity that something that could be a major setback happens at the most opportune moment?? This is not an isolated incident in Matt's run for the championship and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with preparation and opportunity.
Many Kenseth fans think this guy is walking on water, and he is, this year. There is no question Matt Kenseth is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. Next year might find the "opportunity and preparation" claim to become a different story if Lady Luck decides to abandon Kenseth. And what will the hue and cry be ???
The greatest driver in the world has three things going for them, and LUCK is the third one. With all the preparation and opportunity on the face of the earth, without Lady Luck riding with the team, the rest just don't pull together. Jeff Gordon had luck, Stewart, Earnhardt and Petty as well as Yarborough had it, along with past WC Champion. And they all possessed the same quality of being an above average driver with LUCK. Matt is no different.
Kenseth fans can spit rhetoric and praise, offer homilies and sanctimonious huzzahs, but the reality of the matter is, Matt Kenseth still puts his pants on one leg at a time and Matt Kenseth is riding one of the largest three part waves in recent history, opportunity, preparation and LUCK.
Take nothing away, but being realistic, Kenseth is earning and deserving of the honor of being the 2003 and last Winston Cup Champion.
[/b][/quote]I must be an acception then. I don't and have never thought Matt could walk on water. If he could, I doubt he'd be in a race car.
I can't argue that Matt has had a lot of luck this season, but to anyone that thinks that is the sole reason why he is this far ahead in the points is just ludicrous.
N
Newmanhasnocompetition
Guest
kenseth has nothing, not even luck. Its called FAVOR. and nascar favors him. If your in a dodge, you can forget about any championship wins. It sickens me how pathetic nascar has gotten, and if they dont change next season, then they no longer have my viewership and i am beginning my own racing corporation and it is going to be ran the way racing should be. Right now NASCAR does nothing but favor people with the names and the sponsors that give them money. Do you ever see anyone besides sterling marlin get held back in the pits because of pitting outside their box? do you ever see them penalize the person who spins out ward burton every single **** race? and what is up with them waiting to call cautions untill walktrip and junior are outof the pits? There is no luck in WARNING FOR LANGUAGENASCAR, it is all favortism, and NASCAR should be ashamed of themselves for turning their beautiful empire into a pile of ****. And thats all i have top say about that!! Oh yeah, and newman is the winner of this years championship. 8 wins and 7 poles? Come on NASCAR, no one can even compare to newman right now. HE is the best.
I suggest you read the topic pinned up top about a reminder. Do not use this type language here again
I suggest you read the topic pinned up top about a reminder. Do not use this type language here again
N
Newmanhasnocompetition
Guest
I must be an acception then. I don't and have never thought Matt could walk on water. If he could, I doubt he'd be in a race car.Originally posted by 17_Fan+Sep 14 2003, 10:51 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (17_Fan @ Sep 14 2003, 10:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>@Sep 14 2003, 02:00 AM
Opportunity Plus Preparation Equals Luck.
If you are prepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have GOOD luck.
If you are unprepared to take advantage of an opportunity you will have BAD luck.
...........so you betcha, Matt has had plenty of good luck as a result of preparing and taking advantage of his opportunities........As A Result.
Even a blind chipmunk finds a nut now and then but Matt is no blind chipmunk. He is highly skilled driver in a very well prepared car with a very well prepared team.
The oldest rule I know of in auto racing is "Finish First To Finish First" and I somehow get the feeling that Matt knows this rule as well as, if not better than anybody out there.
Your experience, opinions, and mileage may vary.
Of course opportunity plus preparation equal luck, up to a point.
How does one prepare for a flat that happens to fall at the same time as a caution flag ??? Is that preparation or opportunity that something that could be a major setback happens at the most opportune moment?? This is not an isolated incident in Matt's run for the championship and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with preparation and opportunity.
Many Kenseth fans think this guy is walking on water, and he is, this year. There is no question Matt Kenseth is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. Next year might find the "opportunity and preparation" claim to become a different story if Lady Luck decides to abandon Kenseth. And what will the hue and cry be ???
The greatest driver in the world has three things going for them, and LUCK is the third one. With all the preparation and opportunity on the face of the earth, without Lady Luck riding with the team, the rest just don't pull together. Jeff Gordon had luck, Stewart, Earnhardt and Petty as well as Yarborough had it, along with past WC Champion. And they all possessed the same quality of being an above average driver with LUCK. Matt is no different.
Kenseth fans can spit rhetoric and praise, offer homilies and sanctimonious huzzahs, but the reality of the matter is, Matt Kenseth still puts his pants on one leg at a time and Matt Kenseth is riding one of the largest three part waves in recent history, opportunity, preparation and LUCK.
Take nothing away, but being realistic, Kenseth is earning and deserving of the honor of being the 2003 and last Winston Cup Champion.
I can't argue that Matt has had a lot of luck this season, but to anyone that thinks that is the sole reason why he is this far ahead in the points is just ludicrous. [/b][/quote]
NHNC'S POST DELETED IN IT'S ENTIRETY
I am gonna have to assume you did not take the suggestion to read the thread about a reminder. If you disagree with the post, fine. You do not attack the poster. Hopefully this is understood.
R
RobbyG Fan
Guest
7
71Fan
Guest
"and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with preparation and opportunity."
But of course it does. Matt and his team were prepared when the opportunity presented itself which resulted in what we call GOOD luck. Doesn't get any simpler.
But of course it does. Matt and his team were prepared when the opportunity presented itself which resulted in what we call GOOD luck. Doesn't get any simpler.
S
slick-nick
Guest
What'd I miss?
Nothing worth commenting about, slick-nick.
S
slick-nick
Guest
Those words tell me its not worth it.. lol.
S
Splunge
Guest
I said "luck" because Matt is lucky to be such a talented driver with great pit crew and great car! You just can't post top ten after top ten without having all of the above.
Being lucky waxes and wanes, cut tires, wrecks, etc aside, you just don't post that many top 10's without being surrounded by the best of the best.
Being lucky waxes and wanes, cut tires, wrecks, etc aside, you just don't post that many top 10's without being surrounded by the best of the best.