http://stockcarspin.com/2009/08/25/one-forgotten-factor-in-the-keselowskipenske-deal/ A NASCAR Blog Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:44:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 http://stockcarspin.com/2009/08/25/one-forgotten-factor-in-the-keselowskipenske-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Steve Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:32:33 +0000 http://stockcarspin.com/?p=361#comment-274 If I were Brad K. or his adviser/confidante/whatever, I would let him know that he needs to look at Penske as a stepping stone and not a final place to land. There have been very good people who have been under the Penske banner, drivers and crew chiefs alike, but what about any great success for these individuals? Didn't happen there! Rusty Wallace, past champion, very versatile and emotional driver, no championship in the #2 car. Kurt Busch is doing well this year, because he traded the intimidation of Jack Roush for the intimidation of Roger Penske, which matched Kurt's persona better! Look at Ryan Newman and how much more consistent his finishes have been with Tony, and Hendrick-derived engines, chassis, and bodies. Great qualifying record, but it means jack in points and big money. If the Finch option was available for the full 2010 season, he would have/should have jumped on it, because it would have had many characteristics of Tony Stewart's deal relative to Hendrick. We don't know all the details, but Brad needs to have patience in the 12 car, maybe for two or three seasons. I hope he does not emulate Jeremy Mayfield, and speak the truth about his car, his owner, and his team, like Jeremy did with Evernham and Penske. Hopefully he comes through this OK, because he has talent and courage, an encouraging throwback to David Pearson! If I were Brad K. or his adviser/confidante/whatever, I would let him know that he needs to look at Penske as a stepping stone and not a final place to land. There have been very good people who have been under the Penske banner, drivers and crew chiefs alike, but what about any great success for these individuals? Didn’t happen there! Rusty Wallace, past champion, very versatile and emotional driver, no championship in the #2 car. Kurt Busch is doing well this year, because he traded the intimidation of Jack Roush for the intimidation of Roger Penske, which matched Kurt’s persona better! Look at Ryan Newman and how much more consistent his finishes have been with Tony, and Hendrick-derived engines, chassis, and bodies. Great qualifying record, but it means jack in points and big money. If the Finch option was available for the full 2010 season, he would have/should have jumped on it, because it would have had many characteristics of Tony Stewart’s deal relative to Hendrick. We don’t know all the details, but Brad needs to have patience in the 12 car, maybe for two or three seasons. I hope he does not emulate Jeremy Mayfield, and speak the truth about his car, his owner, and his team, like Jeremy did with Evernham and Penske. Hopefully he comes through this OK, because he has talent and courage, an encouraging throwback to David Pearson!

]]> http://stockcarspin.com/2009/08/25/one-forgotten-factor-in-the-keselowskipenske-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-273 FIP Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:22:41 +0000 http://stockcarspin.com/?p=361#comment-273 There will be no dramatic improvement in the 12 car performance. Penske doesnt have the organization to keep up. Newman, Stremme, or Keselowski - it doesnt matter if the equipment is second rate. There will be no dramatic improvement in the 12 car performance. Penske doesnt have the organization to keep up. Newman, Stremme, or Keselowski – it doesnt matter if the equipment is second rate.

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