The Sounds of Sadler!

Well, I’ve waxed musical for a good bit – time to get back to hashing over the Holy Oval. No lack of “material” in the NASCAR world of late! Having spent a week or so hanging out in person with my OTHER group of online buddies (Who-heads, Attic-addicts, Bumpband-buds, Baba-brethren), I’ve noticed many similarities between the online communities that seem to spring up where and whenever a message board, blog, and a celebrity is involved! As diametrically opposed as intellectual/spiritual British rock-n-roll and American stock car racing appear to be – the FANS are much the same. As much of Pete’s work of late reflects the desire to see CONSTRUCTIVE relationships between fans and artists – it stresses equally the importance of the development of HEALTHY relationships between the fans themselves (that’s US, gang!) You can’t weave a complete tapestry with all warp and no weft, now can ya? I’m a lucky gal to have such delightfully engaging and spontaneous friends in TWO disciplines!

OK, nuf philosophy – let’s talk about Sadler!

Once again, technology has given us perhaps a bit TOO MUCH contact with our driver. No longer faced with having to “vote” each week for the privilege of listening to raceday radio contact between driver, spotter and crew chief – we have now have Raceview, Trackpass, DirectTV and other services beaming audio into our heads each Sunday. No longer satisfied with armchair critiquing what we SEE – we have now become experts at shooting holes in what we HEAR! Consquently, folks have been lambasting the communication skills of the #19’s driver AND crew chief – and the justifications run rampant!

Where do I sit? Simple answer here: I have no freaking idea! LOL!

What am I hearing? To a casual listener (i.e., NOT an insider) – sounds to me like decisions on adjustments might be a bit vague and unfruitful. Sounds like Sadler is giving good information AT FIRST, but when adjustments fail to correct the problems he describes – he becomes frustrated and blows off steam with such things as “you’ve killed the car!” (NOT a succinct description – but then again, I don’t think it’s MEANT to be)! I hear Josh “mulling” over changes out loud, asking Sadler his opinion in many cases – usually when Sadler “has his hands full” trying to control an unruly car. Is this a good time for him to mentally diagnose the car? I doubt it.

BUT…..

Josh Browne has CC’d exactly TWO races this season after returning from his controversial suspension. Prior to that, we had Mr. Evernham himself (who had NOT CC’d a race in a month of Sundays). Is it too soon to level blame after 4 races? Perhaps. Have they had time to “get their communication” roles straightened out? One would think so, now wouldn’t one.

On the other hand, we have folks out there in the cyber-ether who have been privvy to radio convos between Sadler and his assorted CC’s for several YEARS. Some report that they are NOT hearing anything new. That Elliott has worked with CC’s who are able to be decisive, respond with quick changes, and take charge. The result? Loose in, tight in the middle, loose out.

I think it will take a bit more time to tell. In the meantime – I can manage to keep myself from NASCAR nervous breakdown by rejoicing in the fact that Elliott has managed NOT to DNF, that he’s stayed OUT of big ones, that he’s sitting “respectably” in the points standings – far above his team mates and OTHER “biggies” on the track who have found themselves in the garage early on. “Attababy’s” help my racing mental state, too! We’ve had some good Attababys even tho we’ve complained about the other conversations. Nothing has happened yet that makes me give up on the season – BUT…..

This weekend is Bristol. Will the COT be a plus or a minus for the #19? Will we be calling it the “Car of Tomorrow” or “Clusterf$%#$ of Today” come Monday? THAT’S the $64 question!