There’s a New Kyle Coming and He’s Coming Fast

by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

September 27, 2011 9:22 am UTC No Comments

The racing earth shifted Saturday night, but odds are, you didn’t feel it. That’s the way earthshakes are when they originate in a cornfield in Central Ohio.

As track owner, Sprint Cup team owner and Sprint Cup Chase to the Cup points leader, Tony Stewart watched from a suite overlooking turn three at Eldora Speedway, a kid from California started kicking down some doors.

19 year old Kyle Larson did something that only one other driver has ever done in the USAC 4-Crown Nationals. He swept the midget, sprint car and Silver Crown finals. Only Larson and Jack Hewett have ever done that.

Stewart came close once, wining two of the three. Tony was so impressed that he paid Larson a $10,000 bonus – on top of the $18Gs the kid won in prize money.

Maybe that was a down payment on a future NASCAR contract. Jack Hewett, who was watching from the infield says…

“He’s the next NASCAR star without a doubt,” said Hewitt. “One day I’ll be saying, ‘Hey, me and Kyle were the only ones to have ever done it.’”

So maybe we’ll be talking about “The New Kyle” before long. Not sure if Kyle Larson has a handle like “Sliced Bread“ or “GOAT”, but The New Kyle probably wouldn’t be too bad. Robin Miller likes him and Miller is tough to please.

Kyle Larson will be a guest On Pit Row today, live at about 6 PM ET. Click here to watch.

Photo courtesy of Steve LaMothe

Filed under: Eldora Speedway, NASCAR, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Tony Stewart

Tagged with: 4-Crown Nationals, Jack Hewitt, Kyle Larson, Robin Miller, sprint cars, USAC

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Lack of Respect Can Get You Loose in Turn 3

by Charlie Turner

June 6, 2008 8:32 am UTC 8 Comments

I have more fun than should be allowed. Steve and I get to talk to some big-time guests ON PIT ROW every week. Most of the time we get thoughtful, insightful answers to our questions. Every once in a while, we get one that blows us away.

We asked Speed TV’s Robin Miller what he thought of the field for this year’s version of the Indy 500. Though Miller respects many of the drivers, his comment about “milk’n donuts and a bunch of jack-offs” was priceless. If you missed it, you can listen to the whole thing here.

Seems that Robin thinks some of those guys are over-rated. That was the inspiration for my “Loose in Turn 3″ question this week. After you comment on mine, make sue you check out Do You NASCAR and NASCAR Bits and Pieces for more Looseness.

Who is the most under-rated driver in NASCAR and how is he over-looked relative to his talent/value?

Charlie: Jimmy Johnson is appreciated less than any other multi-time Champion and perennial championship contender. It is a phenomenon that Steve and I have discussed many times before ON PIT ROW. In any other team sport, Johnson and the #48 team would be talked of as a dynasty. In NASCAR, he is often an after-thought. I think this comes from an impression that JJ’s success is the product of great equipment more than driving talent. That is just wrong.

Bruce: Jeff Burton: In my mind he’s ignored while he’s turning in consistent finishes to put himself 2nd in the standings. The media HAS to mention him when they count down the top 12 drivers but there’s not much time to cover him when the media has to report everything Kyle Busch or how many races since his Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s last win. Heck for that matter, did you know that David Ragan is 8 points out of 12th? Sorry, I’ve diverged onto a rant… but I think regardless of who we pick, they’re victims of the media focus, or lens as you will.

TZ: I like both of your answers to the question, but I’ve got to go with Jamie McMurray. Folks think that just because he made the move to a Roush car that he should be winning all of these races. The red flags went up when he didn’t even come close to the Chase last year and then when he fell outside of the top-35 after Bristol earlier this year. To me, it’s just one of those deals that something hasn’t clicked between Jamie and Roush. But, he’s already climbed himself back up to 22nd in points, and he’s actually still a 2008 Chase hopeful. Plus, I figure if he can finish in the top-15 in points with Ganassi, then the guy’s obviously got a boat-load of talent.

That’s what we think. What do you think. Leave your feedback in the comment section then visit the other guys for their topics. TZ’s question is…

Joe Gibbs Racing has won four times in the Sprint Cup Series this season, but in two years, they are the only Toyota team to win a race in Cup racing. Will a non-JGR driver reach Victory Lane in 2008?

Bruce wants to know what you think about…

Hamlin passed a few cars that had avoided slamming into the melee at a rapid rate before hitting Sadler. So my question is more a statement, but I think Denny Hamlin could have avoided hitting as hard as he did because he probably could have slowed down a heck of a lot more… What’s your guys take?

Filed under: Dave Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Jimmy Johnson, Joe Gibbs Racing, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Sprint Cup Series, Toyota, Turn 2 posts

Tagged with: blog, Denny Hamlin, Indy 500, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Jimmy Johnson, Joe Gibbs Racing, motorsports, NASCAR, Robin Miller

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