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Hamlin To Race With Torn ACL, But Is It Worth The Risk?

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by Chris Leone, Special To NASCAR commentary,NASCAR video,NASCAR pictures, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

If OnPitRow.com was a NASCAR team, I’d be the development driver of the bunch. In the same way that young hotshots like Joey Logano have been driving since they were in grade school, I’ve been following and writing about all forms of motorsports since I was barely old enough to talk.

January 24, 2010 3:04 pm CST 1 Comment

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ESPN reported today that Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, recently tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a game of pickup basketball.

It’s the second knee injury Hamlin has suffered in recent months from playing basketball. He had surgery in December to repair a torn meniscus in his other knee. With the season just about to start, however, Hamlin has decided to defer the necessary surgery to repair his other knee until the end of the year.

The repercussions of this story, because of the nature of Hamlin’s injury (considered catastrophic in many other sports), have a wide span.

A team spokesman said that Hamlin should have no problem driving the car, but driving hurt means that he won’t be the same caliber driver he normally is. Keep in mind that Carl Edwards failed to score a single top five finish last year after breaking his foot during a game of Frisbee.

An injury the nature of Edwards’ takes about six to eight weeks to heal. In any other sport, it would certainly be a cause for concern in an athlete, but after healing, the athlete should be fine.

Hamlin’s injury, on the other hand, can undo the entire career of some other athletes. At the very least, it’s a season-ending injury that should take about eight months to a year to be fully rehabilitated, and even then, the athlete will likely never be the same. All-world NFL quarterback Tom Brady suffered a torn ACL in the first week of the 2008 season, and didn’t return until the next year.

And we expect Hamlin to drive with this?

The worst feedback that can possibly come out of racing with an ACL tear is a flare-up of the old “drivers aren’t athletes” argument. “If they can race with an injury that is catastrophic to sports,” the naysayers will inevitably contend, “then what makes them a true athlete? None of these injuries were suffered during racing. They were suffered while the athletes played other sports.”

And seeing that these injuries were suffered while playing recreational sports, will team owners begin introducing stricter recreation clauses in athletes’ contracts? Already many athletes, in all sports, are prohibited from doing anything that could cause serious injury to them, or else they risk their contracts being voided.

Sure, deferring surgery until the end of the year allows Hamlin to race in the meantime. But there are plenty of other variables he has to consider. For one, deferring reconstructive surgery means that his rehab will have to go through 2011, meaning that if his driving is affected (and it probably will be), he could be out of contention for the good part of two years.

Hamlin is also reportedly a free agent after this season. What if he has a terrible year? Will he be as attractive to other teams - even as attractive to Gibbs - if he’s still nursing a pickup basketball injury?

There really isn’t a good reason for Denny Hamlin to drive through an ACL injury. It puts too much at risk. It’s smarter for him to properly rehabilitate the injury and come back stronger when it’s fully healed. Joe Gibbs Racing can certainly find a worthy candidate for fill-in duty until Hamlin returns.

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing 

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ESPN Disrespects NASCAR Again

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by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

October 27, 2009 11:04 am CDT No Comments

Twice in the past week on-air personalities at ESPN have made light of NASCAR, its fans and in one case a driver.

ESPN paid dearly for the rights to broadcast NASCAR’s top two series and tell the stories of Dale Earnhardt, Jr, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and the rest.  They have exclusive broadcast rights to the Nationwide Series and have the most coveted portion of the Sprint Cup Season.  ESPN has the rights to broadcast all aspects of the second half of the Sprint Cup season–including the “Race to the Chase” and the  “Chase to the Cup”.

ESPN also broadcasts college football.  Its college football coverage takes precedence over its racing coverage.  It always has and it most likely always will.  Race fans have come to expect that when football and NASCAR bump into one another; its the NASCAR coverage that gets moved–either to another ESPN property or its start time delayed.

What NASCAR shouldn’t have to accept is the total disrespect it receives by its stick and ball oriented personalities.  It has been well documented over the past week about Bob Greise’s comment toward Juan Pablo Montoya.  During a NASCAR promo on a football telecast that Greise worked; one announcer asked where Montoya was, when discussing the top five drivers.  Greise’s response was “Out eating a taco”.

Greise apologized–twice–on air during the telecast and has been suspended by ESPN for one game.  Greise’s comments may have been more insensitive than mean spirited, but does show the lack of respect that NASCAR garners from its broadcast partner.

To add more insult to the NASCAR on ESPN  week; Mondays morning Sport Center broadcasts included highlights of the Sprint Cup race won by Denny Hamlin.  The highlight package ended with the comment by ESPN’s anchor saying; ” Now for those of you north of the Mason-Dixon line…”; this within days of Greise’s gaff.

It would seem it is an acceptable practice at ESPN to demean NASCAR, its drivers and their fans.  If it is not deemed as acceptable, it would not continue to happen.   It leaves fans wondering how NASCAR is perceived at ESPN’s offices.  If on air personnel are not respecting NASCAR it may be because they are carrying down the disrespect they hear from their bosses around the office.  Employees tend to take on the attitude of their superiors.  If NASCAR coverage is looked down upon by ESPN’s hierarchy then it is no wonder that the trickle down lands on air.

This week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW asks:

Does NASCAR and its coverage get the respect it deserves from its broadcast partner–ESPN?

Let us know what you think and we could use your comments on this weeks ON PIT ROW radio show.  Listen live every Tuesday from 5-7pm ET.  Call the show at 1-800-465-2946 and you could win a Kevin Harvick bobblehead as Shell’s Nitrogen Enriched Call of the Day.

photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, ESPN, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, NASCAR Bidness 

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Mark Martin Off to a Fast Start in Quest for the Cup

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by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

September 21, 2009 8:56 am CDT No Comments

Mark Martin holds off Denny Hamlin and Juan Pablo Montoya to take the win at New Hampshire.

Martin led 66 of the last 96 laps to become the first five time winner on The Sprint Cup circuit in 2009 and increased his points lead in his quest for his first Cup championship.  Martin took the checkers as the spun and prone race car of AJ Almendinger sat on the front stretch at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

NASCAR had enacted their “no racing back to the caution” rule after a similar occurrence at the track left Dale Jarrett in harms way in a very similar situation.  But, in this instance NASCAR waited and waited and waited to throw the caution; instead hoping that Allmendinger could get his ride fired and out of the way.

NASCAR wanted to let the race reach a natural conclusion, but in doing so put Almendinger and the front of the field in harms way.  Once again the fans and competitors never know what direction NASCAR will follow when it comes time to end a race.  Cautions can be throw in a nano-second if debris is found on the trackand the field can be returned to a more entertaining formation.

NASCAR cannot be blamed for trying to let the drivers determine the outcome of the event.  They waited until the last possible second to throw the yellow in turn four but by that time it was too late to slow the oncoming cars significantly and the front pack had to perform evasive manuvers to avoud the #44.

This leads to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Should NASCAR have thrown the caution as soon as Allmendinger spun his car on the front straight?

While initially trying to let the race run its course, NASCAR made a ruling that Montoya, who raced past Hamlin for an apparent second place finish had to relinquish the spot to Hamlin because NASCAR’s loop data showed Hamlin ahead of Montoya when the late caution came out.

Once again it appears as if NASCAR wants to have it both ways.

Let us know what you think about this week’s BUZZ and we could use your comment on the radio show.  You could win a Kevin Harvick bobblehead if your comment is chosen as the Shell–Fuel My Passion–comment of the day. Listen live every Tuesday from 5-7pm ET and give the show a call–toll free– at 800-645-2946

photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Denny Hamlin, Hendrick Motorsports, Mark Martin, NASCAR, NASCAR Conspiracies, New Hampshire International Speedway, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, The Fast Lap 

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Kyle Busch: Best Ever Under 25 Looks Towards Petty’s 200 Wins

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by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

May 4, 2009 8:09 am CDT 8 Comments

Kyle “Rowdy” “The Shrub” Busch sweeps the weekend in Virginia.

Not only did Kyle Busch win both NASCAR races at Richmond International Raceway this weekend, he also went to Denny Hamlin’s charity late model event and won that to boot.

Busch had to get by Jeff Gordon late in the race to secure the Cup victory and he had to fend off Hamlin who again led the most laps of the race only to be let down by that ineffective lug nut goop that has claimed so many victims in 2009.  Teams are using the same weather seal adhesive that they had used for years, but it seems the longer lug studs that NASCAR mandated for 2009 has messed up the glue’s ability to get the job done.

Kyle’s weekend has given him fifty NASCAR wins spread out over the three major touring series.  He has set his sights on two-hundred wins for his career to tie King Richard Petty.

I know it’s not 200 Cup victories like Richard Petty has.  It will still be a phenomenal mark for me.  I don’t know how long I’ll be in the Camping World Truck Series or Nationwide Series, but hopefully for as long as Joe will let me in the Truck Series, and as long as there’s a Nationwide car at Joe Gibbs that we can run, I’ll be there running races and fulfilling some duties and deals there.  Cup stuff is the ultimate priority.

Busch even seems to be able to win some fans over in the process.  While the boos were still evident during pre-race introductions, cheers were heard when Rowdy was able to move past Jeff Gordon for the lead.  That may be more of an anti-Gordon cheer than a pro-Busch cheer, but a cheer none the less.

This all leads to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Now that Rowdy’s win ties him with Jeff Gordon for most wins before age 25, how will he stack up over the next five or ten years?

Let us know what you think and we may use your comment on this week’s radio show.  Tune in every Tuesday from 5-7pm ET at www.onpitrow.com and click on the “listen live” button.  And don’t forget to call the show toll free at 800-645-2946 and you could be the Shell Nitrogen Enriched Call of the Day and win a Kevin Harvick Bobblehead.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

Filed under: Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, Nascar Legends, Nationwide Series, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Richmond International Raceway, The King, The Pettys 

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Kyle Busch Wins Food City 500–While Earnhardt Fans are left to Wonder

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by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

March 23, 2009 8:56 pm CDT 3 Comments

Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin battled past the scheduled end at Bristol.

Hamlin was chasing Busch when JGR rookie Joey Logano blew an engine causing the race to finish in a green-white-checkers fashion.  Busch dominated the race, leading the most laps, on his way to a second consecutive win.

While the Gibbs boys were on their way to a one-two finish, a trio of Hendrick Motorsport drivers were busy finishing in the top six.  Jeff Gordon took his fourth place finish and continues to lead the Sprint Cup standings.  Jimmie Johnson finished third while leading 88 laps, second only to race winner Busch.  Mark Martin started on the pole for the second week in a row and finished sixth.

Missing in the Hendrick good finishes again was Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Junior took his Chevrolet to a respectable 14th place finish.   But when your teammates finish in the top six, more is expected from the fourth driver. When that success doesn’t happen regularly, questions begin to be raised.  The restless start calling for heads to be put on chopping blocks.

Check out Charlie’s post:  Earnhardt, Jr. to Dump Eury, Jr: Signs may be Pointing that Way.  Charlie chronicles comments by Jeff Hammond about the lack of success coming from the cousin combo.

Which gives us this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Whose decision should it be whether to replace Tony Eury, Jr?

Let us know what you think and we may use your comments on this week’s ON PIT ROW radio show.  Listen live from 5-7pm ET Tuesdays here.  Call in to The Bench Racing Hotline at 800-645-2946

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jeff Hammond, Jimmy Johnson, NASCAR, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio 

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Joey Logano Officially A Sprint Cup Driver

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by Matt Mercer, Special To NASCAR commentary,NASCAR video,NASCAR pictures, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I'm the writer of The Catfish Show NASCAR Blog, which you can access through the links on the right. Follow me on Twitter: @mattmercer

August 25, 2008 11:18 pm CDT 3 Comments

It’s been a whirlwind season for young Joey Logano.
(Note: this post also appears on my regular website, www.thecatfishshow.com)

The Middletown, CT native is a talent that rarely comes along. Regular readers know how highly I think about him. This is a guy that won the East Series title at the age of 17. He followed that up by dominating the ARCA race at Rockingham this May in preparation for his Nationwide Series debut, which came at Dover this May. He would go on to capture poles at Nashville and Kentucky, winning in Kentucky in just his third series start. Logano followed up with consecutive runner-up finishes at Milwaukee and Gateway and top-10 runs at IRP, Watkins Glen, and Michigan. The kid’s ready to contend at any level you put him in.

For Gibbs, this meant not going outside of the organization to find a replacement for Tony Stewart in the #20 Home Depot Camry. Why go through that process and deal with possible chemistry issues when the best choice is already there? Logano’s been a teammate to both returning drivers next season, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch this year. Hamlin in particular has taken an active role in Logano’s development, which will only accelerate the learning curve. Logano may actually be on the same level as most drivers in the COT, since he has been the primary test driver for the cars since their inception. I’m going on record right now and saying that Logano wins in 2009 and qualifies for the Chase. I’m that confident in his ability, not to mention the JGR camp and the quality of the team he will inherit.

As for the rest of 2008, Logano is looking at running 6 Sprint Cup races in the #02 - Richmond, New Hampshire, Kansas, Lowes, Atlanta, and Texas, 9 Nationwide races in the #20, as well as the ARCA race at Talladega in order to garner some plate experience before the Daytona 500 this fall.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: ARCA Remax Series, Car of Tomorrow, Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin, Dover International Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing, Joey Logano, Kentucky Speedway, NASCAR, Tony Stewart 

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