Front Row Joe To Lead Pack At Talladega
I’ve said it before, but I really like Joe Nemechek. I like his style, I like his attitude. It’s good to see someone like Joe starting on the pole for today’s race.
Joe Nemechek has won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Nemechek was able to secure his first pole for the season and 10th career by circling the 2.66-mile speedway in 51.103 seconds at an average speed of 187.386 miles per hour.
Nicknamed “First Row Joe,” Nemechek was the 45th of 46th drivers to make his qualifying run. He captured his first pole since 2005, a span of 93 races.
“I want to thank Hendrick Motorsports,” Nemechek said. “The engines have been incredible this year. We are getting better and better at making these cars to go around the corner and getting them to go faster. It is a big day.”
It was a record-setting qualifying run for Nemechek, whose four career poles at Talladega leads all active Cup drivers.
A good omen for Nemechek heading into Sunday’s race is that a Chevrolet has won 17 of the last 18 races at Talladega.
Even better? Ken Schraeder will be starting right behind him in the second row. I love it when the old-timers come in and kick butt. Now, hopefully they can hold their own during the race.
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Breach Of Contract And Ginn Racing
A contract is a contract, and it’s time for them to Ginn up. Okay, I know that was bad…
Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs have filed breach of contract suits against Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc.
All four lost their jobs when the two teams merged in late July, and in separate lawsuits filed last week in Cabarrus County they claim they are owed their salaries. The suits don’t specify what the parties are seeking, but say ”demand for payment has been made …, but (Ginn and DEI) have failed and/or refused to pay all or any part.”
Land developer Bobby Ginn bought the race team last summer, but merged it with DEI in late July. A week before the merger, he released Marlin, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, and Nemechek.
Of course, it doesn’t sounds like DEI would be responsible for any of the claim, but you know the saying, “when you get in bed with a snake, don’t be surprised if you get bit”.
Joe Nemechek Gets A Ride For Chicago
Welcome back, “Front Row Joe”.
Joe Nemechek will strap in to the No. 08 Chevrolet at Michigan for EM Motorsports, the team announced Wednesday. It will be Nemechek’s second ride with the team, after failing to qualify at Indianapolis.
Team owner John Carter said plans are in place to run select races during the remainder of the 2007 season with preparations under way — including sponsorship discussions — to attempt a full season in ‘08 with the Car of Tomorrow.
It will be nice to see Joe in the race at Michigan.
Which Car Will Joe Drive?
Every driver wants a ride. What happens when he has two?
Joe Nemechek will have a ride this weekend at Indianapolis, but which car he will drive remains in limbo.
E&M Motorsports is looking to put Nemechek behind the wheel of its No. 08 car, but Ginn Racing may have a sponsor for the No. 13 — the car from which Nemechek was bounced last week.
E&M Motorsports had plans to run several races this season, beginning at Indianapolis with John Andretti at the wheel. Andretti has other commitments this weekend — he will join the IMS Radio Network as a broadcaster — so the team called on Nemechek.
I’m sure Joe will pick the right one. Which would you pick?
Joe Nemechek Released From Ginn Racing
Oh man. Front row Joe needs a ride!
Ginn Racing replaced Sterling Marlin in its No. 14 Chevrolet with 23-year-old rookie Regan Smith on Tuesday, and released veteran Joe Nemechek.
Jaye Frye, Ginn Racing’s CEO and general manager, also said that Aric Almirola, another 23-year-old, signed with Joe Gibbs Racing and will become Mark Martin’s co-driver in the No. 01 Chevrolet for the remainder of this season. Almirola will also share the ride with the veteran racer in 2008.
Joe Nemechek is one of the classiest drivers on the track, and it’s a shame that Ginn racing is having such difficulties.
Frye said a lack of sponsorship forced to the team release Nemechek and evaluate the future of the No. 13 car. The 43-year-old Nemechek had one top-10 finish this season — ninth in the season-opening Daytona 500 — and was 33rd in the standings.
If you remember, Ginn Racing was making overtures at Dale Earnhardt, Jr., hoping to lure the most popular driver in NASCAR to sign with them.
I guess they were banking everything on it?