Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing

Stewart, Gordon disagree over rain

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NASCAR officials can be old stick in the muds. Take vice-president of competition Robin Pemberton. Even though some Sprint Cup drivers -- after watching their Nationwide Series brethren race in the rain in Montreal on Aug. 2 -- feel it would only add to the entertainment factor if they could do the same, Pemberton says it won't happen. Too many factors weigh against using rain tires, he says. Perhaps NASCAR hasn't looked up into the grandstands lately to see the empty seats or checked the television ratings to see them slipping. The Nationwide Series used Goodyear's specially grooved wet-weather tires to make history in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 in Montreal as Canadian Ron Fellows took the checkered flag in NASCAR's first major points race in the rain. "Goodyear did an excellent job," said Tony Stewart, who has six road-course victories. "I'm their biggest critic at times. They can do things right at times. You still got to see the race. You get to see guys who are a lot out of their element, and that's fun. It's fun to watch those drivers adapt." Sprint Cup qualifying was cancelled last Friday at Watkins Glen because of rain for the fourth time in five years. Goodyear had rain tires at The Glen for the Nationwide race, in case they were needed. Jeff Gordon says Stewart is all wet with his idea.

Toronto Sun

Jeff Gordon, AP Jeff Gordon, AP
August 15, 2008  08:43 AM ET

I like it -- i don't like it,,geeez if it give the fans
more race to see,and makes for an exciting race,,
use the damn things and see how it turns out,,
just my opinion,,,

August 15, 2008  08:56 AM ET

Stewart could kick Gordon's arse... and I'd pay a dollar to watch it

Comment has been removed
August 15, 2008  09:40 AM ET

Stewart could kick Gordon's arse... and I'd pay a dollar to watch it

IamRightYouAreWrong | 08/15/08, 08:56 AM

I think a lot of people would pay to see that. JG is such a wuss.

August 15, 2008  09:52 AM ET

NASCAR has NO business using these so called 'rain' tires from Goodyear. Doesn't ANYONE remember Indy or have we all forgotten already?

Not to mention, who in their right minds would pay $75-$150/ticket to sit in the rain for 4 hours.

August 15, 2008  10:04 AM ET

If they move the race to Monday and you have a commitment (work)
you don't see the race and your ticket is worthless. I think many would sit in the rain.

August 15, 2008  10:28 AM ET

I actually thought the rain made that race more interesting than it normally was.

August 15, 2008  10:31 AM ET

Toronto Sun, My 13 year old could write better then you.
Rain tires on road courses would be fine, I fand them boring anyway.
Good Morning All, thought it'd drop in before bed time.

August 15, 2008  10:31 AM ET

Yea, Fand is a word, somewhere!

August 15, 2008  10:41 AM ET

How much did NASCAR pay Goodyear to make a tire that they will never use? Does anybody see a big fat waste of money here?

August 15, 2008  10:46 AM ET

Maybe they should take the rain tire development money and use it to develop an Indy tire that won't blow up like a Firestone on a Ford Explorer after 20 laps..

August 15, 2008  10:59 AM ET

Jeff should just agree with tony. i'd had to see tony have one of his temper tantrems.

August 15, 2008  11:12 AM ET

If they move the race to Monday and you have a commitment (work)
you don't see the race and your ticket is worthless. I think many would sit in the rain.

JKINDELRAY | 08/15/08, 10:04 AM

Bad planning if you can't stay an extra day after shelling out the dough to see a race....

August 15, 2008  11:15 AM ET

Not to mention, who in their right minds would pay $75-$150/ticket to sit in the rain for 4 hours.

AFScott | 08/15/08, 09:52 AM

The same people who spend 75-150 to sit in the stands for 4 hours watching people drive cars in circles?

August 15, 2008  11:20 AM ET

Some people have a priority in life.A job to take care of children is important to some people. Others like to pay the bills on time and a job helps that.
Nascar is a great entertainment source but you can't build your life around it. Family comes first,and family usually depends on the employment of someone in the household.

August 15, 2008  11:22 AM ET

I'm going to Branson, going to catch Yakov Smirnoff show, Vegas has just got too boring after they blew up the Frontier (had my first job there as a bus boy).

I am crying if you can't tell.

Guess I could keep Gordo company, better yet maybe Jeff would come with me to Branson, we could dine together at the finest coffee shops and take walks in the sunset of Branson, we whine and dine together, in the RAIN, oh how I dream

August 15, 2008  11:51 AM ET

Who the hell is Yakov Smirnoff?

August 15, 2008  11:57 AM ET

Yakov Navmovich Pokhis = Yakov Smirnoff
You would like him as he doesn't like Dale Jr.

August 15, 2008  12:01 PM ET

I would gladly sit in the rain to watch a race that I had paid for.......if they continue with it in the rain, ....then I watch in the rain......I only pay for things I really like so I stay.
I agree with JK. about staying over on the Monday......bad planning has nothing to do with it......that extra day off from work is not an option for many people..

 
August 15, 2008  12:05 PM ET

He's the worst Russian comedian of all time, wait he's the only Russian comedian of all time.
He does have a last name that is dear to my heart,
mmmmmmm
Vodka

Back to Nascar,
there are only 44 cars entered for Sunday, means only one goes home, that is not a good omin, the trucks have had less than 36 many times this year, not filling the field says a lot about our economy, bad bad economy.

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