Comments on: Stick With What You Know

By: gnome

gnome — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:33:17 +0000

Even though Tony K has little knowledge of the racing world, I can’t stand NASCAR and PTI is absolutely my favorite show since it began, so I’m taking PTI’s side that it was not to be taken so seriously…

By: The Speedgeek

The Speedgeek — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:31:01 +0000

I’ve been one of those people who agrees with Robin Miller that sometimes it seems like storylines in NASCAR are a little too good to be true, and that they may subtly influence things when they might be able to sell more tickets. My favorite example was when Ricky Craven came back from his head injury at his home track at New Hampshire, practiced in the middle to bottom half of the timesheet, and then promptly won the pole. On Sunday, he headed straight back to the back of the field, and I’m not sure he even led a lap. Every once in a while, fishy things like this happen in NASCAR, and Dale Jr.’s Daytona pole might have been another instance.

However, the facts of the matter are: 1) Dale and Hendrick Motorsports as a whole are ALWAYS strong at Daytona, so him sitting on the pole is no shock, and 2) the guy opening his mouth about the whole thing knows basically nothing about racing. If it’d been Robin Miller, Tom Jensen, Ben Blake or anybody else reporting that something was up with Junior, that would have carried some water. It was Tony Kornheiser, though, so this means basically zero. The lesson: don’t watch PTI for anything racing related.

By: Oilpressure

Oilpressure — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:43:48 +0000

I suppose it’s fitting that I should get roasted on my own site for not getting my facts straight, when I’m basing my post on someone not getting their facts straight.

Like Mr. Kornheiser, I got lazy and didn’t check my facts. I had heard a radio report earlier Thursday saying that this would have been Dale Jr.’s second start from the pole, had he not crashed his car. I was very tired when typing this post late Thursday night. Not Knowing NASCAR that well, I should have checked the facts; but instead I got lazy and trusted what I had heard on the radio. My apologies.

The biggest difference between me and Mr. K is that I’m not a journalist and I’ve never been paid a cent for doing this. So if it makes your day, go ahead and take your best shot. I deserve it. – GP

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:08:21 +0000

The same Dale Earnhardt Jr. who’s average start at Daytona in 5th among active drivers with more than 1 start? Please.

The guy’s always found good setups and been quick on the restrictor plate tracks.

If he really got “the call” he’d still be starting up front on Sunday.

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:56:58 +0000

Ok, we all know that Tony Kornheiser, “the entertainer”, doesn’t know what he is talking about, but what about Jrs. win at Daytona’s Pepsi 400 in 2001…. ???? There were plenty of conspiracy theorists putting in their two cents on that win and I am not sure I entirely disagree with them….

By: Steve K

Steve K — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:21:27 +0000

Well let’s see. Mark Martin was on the pole last year, not Dale Jr. Jr started 2nd. Kornheiser no longer is a columnist. He stopped writing for The Post a few years back. Lastly, TK did an interview with Jimmie Johnson and 5-time pretty much set him straight on the matter, invited him to the track, and got Tony to admit he knows nothing on the topic.

By: The American Mutt

The American Mutt — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:50:19 +0000

@ HB,

You mean like Dario switching engines last year?

By: H.B. Donnelly

H.B. Donnelly — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:30:47 +0000

If you listen to Kornheiser regularly, that’s just sort of how his show goes. He’s the first to admit what subjects he’s ignorant on, but he’ll still offer his opinion on what he sees. If he wants actual, in-depth, knowledgeable coverage on a sport, he’ll bring on someone who covers that sport for a living. Otherwise, he’s just a sort of typical bitter old man; someone just shoved a microphone in his face.

I’m just glad NASCAR still has the rule that sends you to the back of the field if your car breaks. If Junior was still at the front of the field after switching to a backup car, then we can talk about contrived lineups.

By: noname

noname — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:05:57 +0000

Since I’m not from the US I’ve got no idea who you’re talking about. But even worse news is that it seems arch-scumbag Tony George is back!

By: Zachary

Zachary — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:59:50 +0000

Nothing new. Kornheiser, like most of the personalities of ESPN, isn’t a sports journalist, he’s an entertainer. He says what’ll get a rise.

I feel your pain on the Nashville jokes, George. Whenever Indiana or Indianapolis plays a bigger city in an important game, we get the hick and hayseed jokes, and denigrating comments towards our capitol.