2015 NASCAR Thread - And then there was 1

  • Thread starter Jahgee
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Wow, that is surprising. I thought he'd stick around full time for another two-three seasons at least.
 
After his back issues lately I'm not surprised he is calling it quits.

Now, just for fun, let's look at the possibilities for Jeff.

Part-Time: Given the wording of the press release it sounds like Jeff doesn't want to stop racing entirely, so this seems to be a good possibility. However, unless Ganassi wants to field a car for him I don't see it really happening as Hendrick will likely replace him, SHR already has 4 cars (granted that could easily change) and HScott isn't really a top tier team (there is also the below option).

Team Owner: I'm not aware of Jeff ever expressing interest in starting his own team, but doing so would allow him to run part time.

Commentator: Jeff seems like he would be good at it and it would also only mean working half the year.

Hendrick: This kind of ties into the team owner one, but seeing that he already has part-ownership of the #48, a high position at Hendrick wouldn't be out of the question.

Other Racing Series': I don't know if he has any interest in Indy, but I could see him running some races in the USCC with one of the Chevrolet teams.

Retirement: Of course he could also go Mark Martin on us and just disappear for the most part. He does have two young kids so I wouldn't blame them if he just wanted to spend time with them while he can.
 
He only said it was his last "full-time" season, and knowing him and the retirement discussion, he'll probably make decisions like this guy;

brett-favre-booed-lambeau-geeks-and-cleats.jpg


...nah, he's done for good after this season. I doubt Jeff will run any more races following Homestead.
 
Justin
Retirement: Of course he could also go Mark Martin on us and just disappear for the most part. He does have two young kids so I wouldn't blame them if he just wanted to spend time with them while he can.
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Martin didn't disappear, he has run limited schedules for various teams and subbed for Tony Stewart after his leg injury.

This year he was rumored to go back to SHR and teach Danica how to drive, but had to back out because of back problems. This year he will be at RFR teaching Bayne and Stenhouse how to drive.
 
Adamgp
Martin didn't disappear, he has run limited schedules for various teams and subbed for Tony Stewart after his leg injury.
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The only races he ran in '14 were subbing for injured/absent drivers, if it wasn't for that he would have been completely out of the public eye during race weekends.

This year he was rumored to go back to SHR and teach Danica how to drive, but had to back out because of back problems. This year he will be at RFR teaching Bayne and Stenhouse how to drive.
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Neither of those things are in the public eye though, which is more what I was getting at.
 
IforceV8
Back in the ol'days when drivers wore leather helmets I believe Ford was considering backing Jeff in CART but GM saw the talent and couldnt resist that 'stache as a future rival to Dale Sr and stole him away from Ford.
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Dude, was that a joke or just how old do you think Gordo is? You would be hard pressed to find any series that would allow someone on the track with a leather helmet even in the 50's. I had to wear a DOT certified helmet racing in the dirt in the early 70's and Gordon was born in 71 :crazy:
 
Justin
The only races he ran in '14 were subbing for injured/absent drivers, if it wasn't for that he would have been completely out of the public eye during race weekends.
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True, he has been a sub for the past couple years.

Since he retired from full time @ RFR in 2006 he has driven limited schedules for Ginn Racing, DEI, Hendrick, MWR, and most recently subbed for Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart.


Neither of those things are in the public eye though, which is more what I was getting at.
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Major news? no. But both were covered by Yahoo, ESPN, etc.
 
The Bman
He only said it was his last "full-time" season, and knowing him and the retirement discussion, he'll probably make decisions like this guy;

brett-favre-booed-lambeau-geeks-and-cleats.jpg


...nah, he's done for good after this season. I doubt Jeff will run any more races following Homestead.
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You may be right but it is interesting that so much emphasis has seemingly been placed on "full-time". It wouldn't surprise me either way at this point. If he wants to stop while he still has his health I certainly can't fault him for that. If he wants more family time with a limited schedule I can understand that too.

As a diehard Earnhardt Sr fan, Jeff Gordon has always been the enemy, but I've grown to respect him as a driver and as a person. It's definitely going to be different without him out there every week.
 
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So, the announcement Jeff made today is what everyone has been expecting for 2 years now. Guess it had to come sometime.

Edit: Of the full-time drivers, that will leave Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth as the only remaining drivers that raced in the series in the 90s.
 
GTPorsche
Edit: Of the full-time drivers, that will leave Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth as the only remaining drivers that raced in the series in the 90s.
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On a technicality, Ron Hornaday ran 1 race in 1999 and will be in the #30 car full time this year (presuming the team lasts that long).
 
GTPorsche
So, the announcement Jeff made today is what everyone has been expecting for 2 years now. Guess it had to come sometime.

Edit: Of the full-time drivers, that will leave Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth as the only remaining drivers that raced in the series in the 90s.
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Jr drove in 99 although it wasn't for the full season.
 
Idk if Bodine had a full time ride this season, but he raced in the 90s. What about Kurt Busch? or was he 2000?
 
GTPorsche
I didn't realize he had a seat in any of the series.
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It was just announced yesterday.

Ron Hornaday to drive for TMG in Cup: Veteran NASCAR driver, Ron Hornaday, will be the primary driver of the #30 TMG Chevy for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, starting at Daytona International Speedway. Hornaday, a longtime veteran in the NASCAR garage, starting off in the NASCAR K&N Series in 1989, he quickly advanced to the top series in the sport. In addition to an impressive 55 combined series wins, Hornaday also has four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championships. "I am happy to be signing on with Curtis Key and the entire TMG organization for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season," Hornaday said. "This team has been working really hard during the offseason to get cars ready for Daytona and the rest of the season. I'm hoping to bring some guidance and racing knowledge to this start up Cup team."
TMG Owner Curtis Key commented, "We are glad to have Ron Hornaday come on board with The Motorsports Group. Ron has been involved in the NASCAR industry for over 20 years now. His experience and knowledge of the industry is exactly what we need this first year in the Sprint Cup Series." Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the #30 TMG Chevy. More information on sponsorships will be announced in the coming weeks leading into the start of the 2015 NASCAR season.
The Motorsports Group, TMG is owned by Virginia businessman, Curtis Key. Purchasing the team in 1993 from 2-time Busch Series Champ, Tommy Ellis, the team currently resides in Mooresville, NC. In 2009, TMG entered into the NASCAR Nationwide Series as a full time competitor, and in September 2014, announced participation in the top tier, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(TMG)(1-21-2015)
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I'm guessing they are hoping he can attract some sponsorship as well as being better at qualifying than most of the other available drivers. I'll be shocked if the team lasts until the end of the year though.
 
cnd01
Idk if Bodine had a full time ride this season, but he raced in the 90s. What about Kurt Busch? or was he 2000?
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I don't think Bodine has a ride at all. Kurt Busch was Truck Series RotY in 2000, the same year he started in the Cup Series late in that season.
raven214
Jr drove in 99 although it wasn't for the full season.
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Nice catch, forgot about Jr.
 
Justin
Team Owner: I'm not aware of Jeff ever expressing interest in starting his own team, but doing so would allow him to run part time.
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How would NASCAR view this against the 4-cars per team rule, if Jeff remains a part-owner on the #48 car? Essentially, any kind of Hendrick backing would make a 5th Hendrick car, even if Jeff's name is listed as an independent owner (like Tony Stewart at SHR). I think Dale Jr. has said that he can't bring JRMotorsports up the cup level as the owner while he still drives for Rick's 4-car team. There has to be some kind of conflict here, knowing NASCAR's silly rules.
 
MustangRyan
How would NASCAR view this against the 4-cars per team rule, if Jeff remains a part-owner on the #48 car? Essentially, any kind of Hendrick backing would make a 5th Hendrick car, even if Jeff's name is listed as an independent owner (like Tony Stewart at SHR). I think Dale Jr. has said that he can't bring JRMotorsports up the cup level as the owner while he still drives for Rick's 4-car team. There has to be some kind of conflict here, knowing NASCAR's silly rules.
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Are you not allowed to run an extra affiliated car for a limited amount of races?
 
MustangRyan
How would NASCAR view this against the 4-cars per team rule, if Jeff remains a part-owner on the #48 car? Essentially, any kind of Hendrick backing would make a 5th Hendrick car, even if Jeff's name is listed as an independent owner (like Tony Stewart at SHR). I think Dale Jr. has said that he can't bring JRMotorsports up the cup level as the owner while he still drives for Rick's 4-car team. There has to be some kind of conflict here, knowing NASCAR's silly rules.
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I think if Gordon wanted to start a team I'm sure they would just remove his name from the #48.

Furinkazen
Are you not allowed to run an extra affiliated car for a limited amount of races?
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Only for rookies.
 

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