It is Thanksgiving in the United States today. Everyone is or will be gathered around their respective dinner tables saying thanks to the troops, friends, and family but what are NASCAR and their teams saying thanks for?
Joe Gibbs Racing
They have Joey Logano to be thankful for. Nicknamed "Sliced Bread" by his friends, this kid is the next big thing to come into NASCAR. Logano will be shooting for top 20's early on, but do not be shocked to see the No. 20 Home Depot Camry in its usual place at the front before too long.
Hendrick Motorsports
They have Chad Knaus and full-time primary sponsors for all four cars to be thankful for. Firstly, Knaus is the straw that stirs the drink for NASCAR's three-time champion.
Not to take anything away from Jimmie Johnson, but there is a reason Chad is the first crew chief to win three championships in a row.
Secondly, having a primary sponsor in this economic climate is great, but having all four cars fully funded for 2009 is impressive.
Roush/Fenway Racing
Mike Mittler. Mittler is the man who first gave Carl Edwards a shot in NASCAR truck. Edwards was out of work and hanging around race shops looking for a ride when he gave Mittler his card.
Mittler gave him a call purely to do some testing and went up with his driver, Tony Roper, to see him. Roper was killed shortly thereafter as we all know in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway.
After failed races with another driver, Mittler called Carl, and the rest is history. Without Mittler, Roush would not have their superstar and Edwards would still be slinging dirt in Missouri.
Richard Childress Racing
Austin Dillon. Richard Childress' grandson, is a fantastic shoe and an upcoming star. When you can be thankful for the future of your business and family at the same time it is special.
Richard Childress can be proud of his grandson and rest easy knowing his company is in good hands now and into the future.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
The two former entities can be thankful for each other. Both operations were looking at the possibility of shutting down without one another, so they can be thankful for partnering up with one another.
Stewart Haas Racing
Stewart Haas Racing (SHR) can be thankful for a clean-shaven Tony Stewart. Tony started the season looking like Grizzly Adams, and not a race car dirver who is trying to represent his sponsors well.
With Tony no longer looking like he just survived six weeks in the Alaskan wilderness, SHR announced the addition of new sponsors (Office Depot, Old Spice, Army) and new additions to his organization. Plus, he looks like a sponsorable driver now.
Hall of Fame Racing
Hall of Fame Racing can be thankful for the support they have received over the past few years from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The help from one of the best organizations in the sport doesn't hurt.
JGR even loaned them Joey Logano for a few races to try and get them into the top 35 and keep their sponsor.
comments (2) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Good read Thayne. Amidst all the angst, you really highlighted so much of what the various teams do have to be thankful for. And they better be thankful for us fans- we keep them going around the track! I'm thankful personally for Scott Speed - I think he will be great fun this year!!
about 1 month ago
Personally I really look forward to what Scott Speed will bring, I believe Tony will have company in the outspoken category! haha...Thanks for the compliments and after reading yours it seems to be a nice complimentary piece, they fit well together!
write a new comment