In reply to tpwalsh:
45 !!! Geez, that's impressive. Mine is 56, and I'm on drugs !
In reply to tpwalsh:
45 !!! Geez, that's impressive. Mine is 56, and I'm on drugs !
turboswede wrote: The fact is, to drive a professional race vehicle at the top levels, requires mental and physical strength that few possess. I dare say it requires more strength, intelligence and stamina than Baseball or Golf does.
That seems to be what everyone is overlooking - physical strength and stamina is one thing, but a sapped body leads to mental fatigue, which is the real problem IMO.
i'd be willing to bet that he didn't knowingly take anything that would jeopardize his future in NASCAR. it was probably some energy drink or something like that, and we will never know what it was if it happened to be one of the energy drinks that has their logos on any of the cars that compete in NASCAR- unless it's SPEED Energy, because that's owned by Robbie Gordon and NASCAR doesn't really like him...
Dinger should ditch NASCAR and road race instead, prolly take a big pay cut but hey, it's where he prolly belongs anyway.
Already has an 'in' w/ Mike Shank.
Count me in the "Racers are athletes" column. But didnt they used to hand Jimmy Spencer cigarettes during pit stops for a quick puff or two? I havent seen Phelps grab a Camel in the middle of a race.
CUP: Penske Fires Allmendinger
http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-aj-allmendinger-released-from-penske-racing/
logdog wrote: Count me in the "Racers are athletes" column. But didnt they used to hand Jimmy Spencer cigarettes during pit stops for a quick puff or two? I havent seen Phelps grab a Camel in the middle of a race.
Dick Trickle had a lighter wired in his cars, and a row of cigs taped to the bar beside him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8gu9mTkjq4
I am betting Shell is the real reason he was let go. If it was a simple accident on his part this could have been used in a positive marketing spin but I am betting there is more to it.
Shell Oil Co.'s statement read, "Shell and Pennzoil fully support NASCAR’s substance abuse policy and Penske Racing’s decision to release AJ Allmendinger as driver of the No. 22 Dodge Charger following his indefinite suspension by NASCAR. "We wish AJ the best as he participates in NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. "Shell and Pennzoil will continue to work closely with Penske Racing to determine plans for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season."
logdog wrote: Count me in the "Racers are athletes" column. But didnt they used to hand Jimmy Spencer cigarettes during pit stops for a quick puff or two? I havent seen Phelps grab a Camel in the middle of a race.
It would be rather difficult for Phelps or any other swimmer. The water will make the cigarette very soggy.
Old time racers where nothing like todays drivers. And what they did 20 years ago does not relate to today.
In reply to Streetwiseguy:
Dick Trickle has an awesome name. That's all I'm saying.
iceracer wrote: Old time racers where nothing like todays drivers.
Athletes, schmathletes.
Put these two guys in a room with any two current drivers and my money says the old timers come out walking.
Joe Weatherly died when his noggin ended up between his car and the wall.
Fireball Roberts died, well - in a fireball.
Cale wasn't an athlete either.
Streetwiseguy wrote:logdog wrote: Count me in the "Racers are athletes" column. But didnt they used to hand Jimmy Spencer cigarettes during pit stops for a quick puff or two? I havent seen Phelps grab a Camel in the middle of a race.Dick Trickle had a lighter wired in his cars, and a row of cigs taped to the bar beside him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8gu9mTkjq4
bludroptop wrote:iceracer wrote: Old time racers where nothing like todays drivers.Athletes, schmathletes. Put these two guys in a room with any two current drivers and my money says the old timers come out walking.Joe Weatherly died when his noggin ended up between his car and the wall. Fireball Roberts died, well - in a fireball.
Cale might not have been an athlete, but at least he was man enough to take his helmet off before the brawl..
novaderrik wrote:blu droptop wrote:Cale might not have been an athlete, but at least he was man enough to take his helmet off before the brawl..ice racer wrote: Old time racers where nothing like today's drivers.Athletes, schmathletes. Put these two guys in a room with any two current drivers and my money says the old timers come out walking.
I think I saw an interview with Cale the other day and they talked about that and he implied that he could not understand why Bobby's face kept running in to his fist. Funny funny interview.
IIRC, Cale passed up a college football scholarship to go racing. So yea, athlete.
bludroptop wrote:iceracer wrote: Old time racers where nothing like todays drivers.Athletes, schmathletes. Put these two guys in a room with any two current drivers and my money says the old timers come out walking.
Fireball didn't actually die in the fire. He survived for a couple of weeks having the burns treated before he finally passed. Horrible way to go.
By the way-- Ned Jarrett (Dale's dad) stopped his car during the race when he saw Fireball's wreck. Ned risked his own life in pulling Fireball out of the car trying to save him. It almost worked......Ned had serious burns as a result of trying to save his friend.
Safety wasn't much of a concern to race organizers back then.
Joe Gearin wrote: Fireball didn't actually die in the fire. He survived for a couple of weeks having the burns treated before he finally passed. Horrible way to go.
This is correct. I took a bit of license to make the point that the early drivers were as tough as nails and no one questioned their athleticism.
bludroptop wrote:Joe Gearin wrote: Fireball didn't actually die in the fire. He survived for a couple of weeks having the burns treated before he finally passed. Horrible way to go.This is correct. I took a bit of license to make the point that the early drivers were as tough as nails and no one questioned their athleticism.
+1 Those guys weren't the most trained, but they had massive cajones!
The best tales of early NASCAR can be found in Smokey Yunick's autobiography. It's an amazing read.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Damn-Garage-Town-According/dp/0971146934
and no.....they didn't drug (or alcohol) test those guys!
NASCAR Confidential is another enlightening book on the subject.
You'll need to log in to post.
