Tony's "grounding"

H

HardScrabble

Guest
Reportedly Coach has requested (required?) that Tony not compete in events other than WC for the balance of this season. This being to insure that Tony's concentration is fully on capturing the big brass ring.

Tony has apparently agreed (??) to do so.

IMO, it has never proven to be a distraction for drivers to run other races during the WC season. There is obviously the danger of injury as we have seen on more than one occasion this season and this may lay at the heart of the request as much as anything.

My mindset leads me to a different place in the thought process however. Tony has distractions enough which need not be enumerated here. Given this, and believing that Tony is more comfortable in a race car than anywhere else on this planet, the entire plan may backfire. Without the hectic schedule of racing that keeps Tony in a comfortable place and his mind off the troubles swirling around him those troubles may come more to the forefront of his consciousness than they do now.

Not a good outcome if it works out that way. Hopefully Tony will be able to maintain his focus and not dwell on these troubles, but removing him from a racecar seems an odd way to do it. I rarely question Mr. Gibbs, maybe he knows best, we'll see.
 
A lot of owners wouldn't allow their driver to run in other series in the first place. He's lucky he's got someone that understands.

This could be the biggest punishment of them all.
 
When I first heard this, I wondered how Tony would take it. He's so full of energy, racing is his release.

Sure hope it doesn't backfire. Tony is one-of-a-kind. :)
 
Was catching up on my tape today and I thought Tony made a comment, as reported by the media, that he totally understood and was in total agreement. I would think the request was maybe made with the safety factor in mind. The points are very close which hasn't happened before at this time of year and so with the thought that he has a realistic shot to take this whole thing, maybe Mr. Gibbs isn't making such a rare request. Probably if he was in 3rd place and 300+ down it wouldn't have been an issue. Atleast that's what I was thinking when they were telling about the meeting they had. Now, with that request made, guess Mr. Gibbs and the team had better make sure he has the machinery under him to do the job.
I do see the point you're making about the time on Tony's hands now and being able to think about all that's going on. I hope for his sake, he handles it well. Actually, HS, it's not something I had thought about (from that angle) until reading your post.
Got my fingers crossed!
 
Let's hope it just doesn't backfire on them both. I realize Tony has other interests besides Nascar, but it seems that he totally agreed with Gibbs that it was worth staying out of the other "cars" for the sake of a possible championship. With that said, he was still at the track, though not in the car - Schrader subbed for him - signing autographs and such. I think that if he can focus on the championship for the remainder of the season, all of his other troubles will go by the wayside in his mind at least and not dwell on what has been done and cannot be changed. Let's just hope that there are smoother roads ahead for Tony.
:D
 
Wonder if the coach told Bobby Labonte to go run a few other races.:rolleyes:
 
I think this is a good thing. A lot of things can go wrong when you run another series, just ask Bobby Hamilton.
 
Probably a good idea. Besides I won't see Smoke till he comes back to Cedar Lake next July!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom