Local homeboy does GREAT in NASCAR....

[carolwicks]

Aric Almirola will have a full time ride driving the DEI #8 car!!! WTG Aric!!! You make me proud!
Joey Logano may have some good news soon too. Right now it is just rumor. Possible he could be the next #20 car driver... So far it is rumor... Tony hasnt made any decisions yet.
I am always so happy to see our past young guns make it to the big top... it is a long hard ride and they are so deserving. we need to see some new young faces and talent in NASCAR!
carolwicks aka OZ

[Jimmy McKinley]

I like your posts and all, Carol...even met with ya few times up at NSS...but tell me...but I wouldn't say "Local homeboy does great". Maybe "ehhh", but certainly not great. Where the h-e-double hockey sticks did Almirola really come from? To be honest, I'd never even heard of the kid until his "NA$CAR development deal" came up a few years back. All I really know is, he's from Tampa or something. Did he really race here in Florida locally? Where at? Which track(s)? Did he win a bunch of Friday or Saturday Late Model features? Any really big wins, like a Snowball, Speedweeks championship, or anything? Like I said, I'd never heard of him before that, and he hasn't really impressed me all that much in anything he's been in yet in NA$CAR - Trucks, Busch, or Cup. He's been in a bunch of mediocre-at-best rides; ya gotta admit, even that DEI ride ain't all that great; even Mark's had a hard time making a go of that ride - and Junior ain't never impressed me (and I was a HUGE Earnhardt Sr. fan; now I root for Tony and Reutimann ).

Logano, on the other hand, has shown some baLLs so far. Didn't he win a few Hooter's Pro Cup races, then went Busch East/Grand National North racing and won a couple there. Seems I might remember him somewheres with ASA a coupla years ago or something, too.

To me, there's too much good talent being passed up for youthful good looks and $$$ (oh yeah, and "diversity"; can't forget that...even you ARE a no-talent...). Choquette - TONS of talent, wins on both dirt and asphalt, won the Governor's Cup, wins just about anywhere you can stick the guy. Wayne Anderson - 'Nuff said. But if you can't bring the sponsors or the "corporate image", forget it.

[brokebackmike45]

Thats Good that some local boys are moving up. It would be nice to see drivers like Jeff Choquette, Tim Russell ,Jeff Scofield, Sam Watts make it in Nascar. By the way anyone know what happened with Ricky Carmichael or Jeremy Fitch?

Hey CarolWicks, If Tony leaves the 20 is he still going to be your favorite? I'd like to see him in a Chevy.

Mike

[OrlandoGraphix]

JOEY LOGANO
from Wikepedia

Veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Mark Martin, who was driving for Roush at the time, called Joey Logano "the real deal". [4] When Logano was 15, Martin said "I am high on Joey Logano because I am absolutely, 100-percent positive, without a doubt that he can be one of the greatest that ever raced in NASCAR. I'm positive. There's no doubt in mind."[5]

In 2005, he ran in 1 FASCAR Pro Truck Series race at New Smynra, started 1st and finished 2nd. He raced in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, competing seven times in the Northern Division, and winning once at Mansfield, two Southern Division races, and five Championship Series races.[4] The following season, he continued racing in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. He raced in twelve Southern Division races, winning twice at South Georgia Motorsports Park and at USA International Speedway. He ran in one USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Northern Division race and six Championship Series races.

In 2007, a new NASCAR rule allowed drivers 16 and up to race in the Grand National Division, allowing Logano to compete in the series. He finished the 2007 Grand National season with 13 starts in Camping World East Series, winning 5 races, 3 poles, 10 Top 5's, and 10 Top 10's, and winning the championship with wins at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Iowa Speedway, two wins at New Hampshire International Speedway, and Adirondack International Speedway. He also has made 1 NASCAR West Series start, started 2nd and won. On October 20, 2007, Logano won the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway, leading 87 laps and held off Peyton Sellers for the win.

On May 4, 2008, Logano won the Carolina 500 during his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut with Venturini Motorsports in racing's return to Rockingham Speedway

[calres22]

I like your posts and all, Carol...even met with ya few times up at NSS...but tell me...but I wouldn't say "Local homeboy does great". Maybe "ehhh", but certainly not great. Where the h-e-double hockey sticks did Almirola really come from? To be honest, I'd never even heard of the kid until his "NA$CAR development deal" came up a few years back. All I really know is, he's from Tampa or something. Did he really race here in Florida locally? Where at? Which track(s)? Did he win a bunch of Friday or Saturday Late Model features? Any really big wins, like a Snowball, Speedweeks championship, or anything? Like I said, I'd never heard of him before that, and he hasn't really impressed me all that much in anything he's been in yet in NA$CAR - Trucks, Busch, or Cup. He's been in a bunch of mediocre-at-best rides; ya gotta admit, even that DEI ride ain't all that great; even Mark's had a hard time making a go of that ride - and Junior ain't never impressed me (and I was a HUGE Earnhardt Sr. fan; now I root for Tony and Reutimann ).

Logano, on the other hand, has shown some baLLs so far. Didn't he win a few Hooter's Pro Cup races, then went Busch East/Grand National North racing and won a couple there. Seems I might remember him somewheres with ASA a coupla years ago or something, too.

To me, there's too much good talent being passed up for youthful good looks and $$$ (oh yeah, and "diversity"; can't forget that...even you ARE a no-talent...). Choquette - TONS of talent, wins on both dirt and asphalt, won the Governor's Cup, wins just about anywhere you can stick the guy. Wayne Anderson - 'Nuff said. But if you can't bring the sponsors or the "corporate image", forget it.

All I remember about Aric is when he first got in a modified he crashed it, showed up next week at desoto with a brand new car his daddy bought and he ran me into the wall, totalling both our cars. So in his first two races he junked three cars, one being mine. Dont think he ever won any big races and his dad pretty much bought his way up to Nascar. His "win" in the Nationwide series is from when he started the race and at the first caution, Hamlin took over and he drove the car under the checkered flag. He wont last long up there, dads money will run out eventually.

[carolwicks]

hmmm.. are you being fair ?

maybe i see people in a different light than some of you. I have watched Aric race in Florida (lakeland, CCS, NSS, and others since he was in high school. he was a quiet boy with good manners and he is holding his own in NASCAR. i know some of you dont like Aric because he is a minority and was pretty much "given" the ride... but he took the ball and ran with it and he is doing a good job. they seem to think he is good enough to be given a steady full time ride! that has nothing to do with diversity... it has to do with his performance as a NAscAR driver! everything he got after he was picked, he has earned! I love Jeff Choquette and some of the others mentioned and I wish they were also in Arics shoes but that doesnt take away from Aric. he was given the chance. Jeff is so young. he still has many many chances. Joey Logano is well deserving... no one will argue that. but everytime Arics name comes up he is NEVER given a thumbs up because of the diversity thing. That is one reason why i dont like those kind of programs. because people turn against them instead of supporting them. it isnt Arics fault he was given this opportunity and what do you people think he should have done... turned it down? Golly. that would have been sheer stupidity and i dont know anyone who would do that..
for once cant anyone admit Aric is a fine decent young man who has earned his way in NASCAR since he was picked. I stand by my feelings and i wish Aric a long and promising career! I also hope guys like Jeff are given a chance also. Jeff is another hell of a driver and he is polite, friendly, and deserving. time will tell. Just my opinion... ive been wrong before.
(i think) ;-)
carolwicks aka OZ

oh...yes... tony will always be my favorite racer... i just wish he was still in the Pontiac! ;-)... there are other drivers i think are great but Tony made me like the color orange! ;-) oh and BTW... Kyle Bush made me like jeff gordon!!! rofllllll i am waiting for that golden moment when David Reutimann stands in the Winners Circle with Buzzie standing next to him all slobbering in champagne! David is what good sportsmanship and perseverence are all about. he is a shining example of what a famous personality should be... the kind of man you want your kids to emulate! GO DAVID! ok...im tired and im done babbling. been up since 3:30 A.M. ... horrid day.
Much love to all...
carolwicks aka OZ

[vspnut]

Some of you guys have short memories.

It's Aric's grandfather not father. They own a body shop and if you think that it makes enough money to get Aric there, then you've lost it.

Yes Aric got help by being a minority, but if he didn't cut it he wouldn't be given this chance. Remember the fact that the #8 appears to be sponsorless right now for next year so it's not sponsor driven.

Aric was one heck of a qualifier which should talent, but did need to work on saving the car for the races.

Aric is a good kid and well mannered. He also hasn't forgotten where he came from.

Let's not forget that Aric practiced and was leading when they pulled him for Denny.

[Frasson118]

For those that don't know, Aric's Grandfather is "Slammin" Sam Rodriguez... one bad-ass Sprint car driver in the 80's and early 90's. He is owner of R&S Auto Body in Tampa. VSPNut is correct... it sure isn't the body shop that is putting Aric through the Nascar world.

[Jimmy McKinley]

It don't matter if he's (Aric) a "minority" or not; I was just curious as to what he had done down here in Florida, because before his "development deal" was announced, I had never heard of the kid in the state of Florida. Like I said in my first post: what has he done down here locally? Where DID he run at? What tracks? Did he even win any local races before being contacted to go and run his development deal? When I saw his announcement of the deal, and I saw he was from Florida (still don't know where....LOL), I'd never heard of him.

every time Aric's name comes up he is NEVER given a thumbs up. ...who has earned his way in NASCAR since he was picked.

Earned his way? I don't believe that. I'll stand by my earlier comments that he hasn't proven anything yet (to me). Sure, he led at Milwaukee (I believe), and got credit for that win, but Hamlin's the one that put that car in Victory Lane. He was "picked" because of the "diversity program"; I don't think it had to do with any talent - I haven't seen any yet from Aric, really. And again, what "talent" did he show down here racing locally? I'm just asking. I LOVE seeing the Florida guys in NA$CAR; heck, I even root for Reutimann, not because of his last name, but I know where he came from (both family and racing). Again, I'd never heard of Almirola until his thing was announced.

[carolwicks]

About Aric....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aric_Almirola

http://www.aricalmirola.com/page.php?_=bio

Jim... I am sure you have far more racing knowledge than I do but when I see a high school kid go from Florida Short Tracks to NASCAR I think it is a wonderful achievement... Not so much getting there...but staying there. Also, there must be hundreds of other guys on the diversity program that could have had his good fortune but Aric has proven himself to the people that get to choose...I have always been very fond of Aric so maybe I see things in a different light... I stand by my feelings... Aric makes me proud. He is not only a good racer but he is a clean cut, handsome, well mannered man and presents himself as a very professional driver. Of course...this is simply my opinion and I respect yours. ;-)
carolwicks aka OZ

[JackTripper]

To answer your original question - he did nothing in the state of Florida, in terms of actual wins in anything beyond karts.

With the Drive for Diversity program, he then took off for Ace Speedway in North Carolina and promptly finished 11th in the standings.

Recognizing the talent that one must have to finish 11th in the standings at Ace Speedway, he quickly got promoted to the Craftsman Truck Series.

[Osmosis Jones]

Ding Ding Ding......

And Mr. Tripper takes another round!......

(in all fairness, it was probably the "Bathing Suit" competition that propelled him from 11th place into 1rst over those other dudes)

That about sums it up in a nutshell.
It is funny, though, how some people can go on and on about the qualities they say one deserving driver expounds but then be totally and blissfully ignorant of the lack of skill (other than to qualify for the "drive for diversity" program via the spelling of one's last name) of the other. Some folks will even acknowledge and make absurd statements about how proud they were that an unqualified person was "given" a ride.

Given.......(scratching head).....

Without even realizing it, some people will qualify every argument for why this system of talent pardons is just another knife in the back to every true short track racer who has had to work hard and earn their way up racing's ladder to success. And at the same time nullify their own argument for why a person is with no legitimate claim to fame is deserving. Truly mind-boggling.


If all that mattered was this kid's gene pool then he would have more to stand on than his short list of statistics. His grandfather WAS a badass in a sprinter.

But THAT was Sam Rodriguez.
Hmmmm....maybe HE should be the one NAPPYCAR gives a ride away to.

THAT would be a diversity program I could get behind.

But in the end, this kid is no different from a thousand other kids across the country whose daddies or grand-daddies or in some cases, mommies, bought their way to a first class ride in any series big or small. Extremely underserving and under-talented kids have and still are competing at levels they have no business being in. Unfortunately, in todays environment of lowered standards and the theory of "for enough money I can do anything I want" that some have, track owners are going to look past doing the right thing to do whatever they can to increase their revenue.
So if that entails letting 12 year olds race Late Models and Sprint Cars so they can sell a few more tires and some gas then I'm sure they are willing to gamble with an insurance liability and an imminent lawsuit when that 12 year old gets killed or seriously injured in a crash.

Well, hindsight is always 20/20.
But I still prefer foresight.

[Jimmy McKinley]

With the Drive for Diversity program, he then took off for Ace Speedway in North Carolina and promptly finished 11th in the standings.

"Promptly finished 11th..."? Does that mean that the kid only ran ONE season at Ace? And...*11th*...??? I wouldn't be looking at someone who finished 11th in the final points...I think I'd be looking at someone who could run up front for a FEW years, take care of the car, and finish in the top five consistently with several wins on the plate, before taking a look at an 11th-place points guy...Did he DO anything up there, either? Like I said...never heard of him before his "diversity" thing.

As for Sammy...yes. Sam was, I think, just getting into Sprint cars when I was going to Tampa and St. Pete running with the TBARA (Childers, Riddle, Butler, Scarborough, Maddox, Jimmy Haynes, etc.) in the early and mid 80s, and when Tampa closed again, I believe he then went to East Bay for their weekly shows. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

[fred23]

Everybody needs to take a step back and realize that this is not the 70's, 80's or 90's. Things have changed in NASCAR. It has so little to do with winning races. It has to due with bringing new fans and new sponsors to the sport. The racing is unfortunately almost an after thought. Watch the qualifying for the cup cars. It is more about the TOP 35 than anything. Thats the goal of over 25 teams every week, to be one of the best 35 cars. Not to win. How many times have you heard BEFORE the race starts "I hope to get a good top 10 or 15 finish today". The "go or go homers" even have their own segment of qualifying. One car wins a race every week and 15 cars fight for the top 12 for the chase and the rest try to stay in the top 35 so they can guarantee their sponsor TV time. Junior didn't win a race for two years in the 8 car. Mark Martin hasn't yet either. Should we expect a part timer to come right in and win?
As for Aric, he actually won a few modified and slm races here in FLorida. He is good looking and well spoken and yes part latin. I think he does as well as the other also rans considering the part time schedule. He is no different than any other young racer trying to get to NASCAR. He found a chance and has made the most of it. There have been numerous others given the same opportunity and failed. He must be doing something right.

[Jimmy McKinley]

Well, I understand all about NA$CAR and "it's not the '70s and '80s" and all that...I've been around a race car since my first trip to Palm Beach Fairgrounds in 1970. I know it's not about "talent" any more; it's more about the "corporate image", and the "money that you can bring with you" and all that mess. Which to me, is the sad state of NA$CAR these days. There is no more real brand recognition other than headlight decals and the engine block. NA$CAR's taken all the creativity out of building cars with this "common template" and "CoT" thing. All I was wondering, was, really, where DID Aric run before now? Like I said before, I'd never heard of him. WHERE, exactly, DID he win a "few Modified and SLM races"? Carol's original post - and I'm not putting her or anyone else down - was titled, "Local homeboy does great in NA$CAR", and I was just curious as to WHERE Aric had done "great". That's all. He certainly hasn't done "great" anywhere *that I know of*, and he hasn't impressed me in a Cup ride, yet, either - and neither has Junior. I was a HUGE Earnhardt fan (and he's not a "Senior"). I'm certainly not a Junior fan.
And don't get me started on the whole "Top 35" thing, either...that's another rant.