END OF THE 2011 RACE SEASON
- MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…
84 drivers attempted to make a Cup race in 2011. 81 of them made at least one race. The top 36 each won at least $2.71 million. In 65th place, Joe Nemechek won $2.9 million. Carl Edwards finished 2nd, but won $8.5 million. Tony was 2nd in purse winnings at $6.5 million, but his championship bonus was worth $5.8 million. Four other drivers won over $6m, seven won over $5m, eleven over $4m, seven over $3m, nine over $2m, and 4 over $1m.
- Kurt Busch is out of the Penske car.
Owner Roger Penske came to a “mutual agreement” to part ways after Kurt’s latest run-in with the press, which cost Kurt $50,000 in fines from NASCAR. Kurt’s base salary of several million dollars and probably 40% of the $5.936 million he won in 2011 will now be replaced with an income package offered by a lower tier team. Similar packages generally offer the same percentages, but the base salary is usually minimum, unless, the driver can bring a sponsor and he takes a percentage of the sponsorship money. James Finch is one owner who has been contacted by Kurt to drive his #51 car. James had hired David Ragan to drive in 2012 subject to his not finding “a better ride.” That better ride may now be the Penske ride vacated by Kurt. James said this of Kurt, “I told him I would meet with him and see what's going on,'' Finch said. "I haven't decided who I am going to put in my car next year. He (Kurt) wasn't necessarily at the top of the list." Finch said Busch's behavior that led to what was described as a ‘mutual’ split with Penske Racing wouldn't discourage him from hiring the 2004 Cup champion. He also said he wouldn't tolerate Busch's sometime volatile behavior. "Kurt, his talent is pretty good,'' Finch said. "He's one of the best there is, but I'm not going to listen to that (@%^&) and pay him money."(ESPN)(12-9-2011)
PIT NOTE
Kurt Busch is a winner. He was in the Chase again this year. His crew chief quit as soon as the season ended over personal conflicts with him. Darian Grubb celebrated in Las Vegas as the championship crew chief for Tony Stewart and seven days later he was named crew chief for Denny Hamlin. Again it was because of conflict between the driver and crew chief throughout the season, which had come to a head five races into the Chase. Two of the best, performing well, ‘choosing’ to ‘move on.’ Not good ‘news’ at Christmas, the end of the season.
Here is Good News at Christmas, and every season. God does not ‘fire’ people based on performance or ‘personal’ problems with the individual. Every person has had ‘problems’ with God. No one understands God completely. No one even understands themselves completely. However, God understands Himself and every person completely! So God had a choice. Come to earth and meet the need of mankind, or ‘move on’ and leave mankind without any hope.
So, on the first Christmas, God came as a man - Incarnation. God took on flesh and bone. The Creator became a creature. The King became a baby. He grew-up and was tempted, just as every man is. Yet, he NEVER sinned; not once in his 33 years! His name is Jesus, Lord, Savior. He lived a sinless, righteous life according to the demands of the law of His righteous Father. He died as if He had sinned, and therefore, fulfilled the penalty of the law and accepted the just reward of every sinner. Because of what Jesus did, God the Father now imputes to every person who believes in Jesus ALL that Jesus did. Even though our attitude may be as bad as any driver at any point during the season, even though we have conflict with just about everyone we meet, and even though we do not deserve any rewards, God sent his Son to us as a baby to be the Savior of all who have faith. May you receive the greatest gift possible this Christmas—the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. Merry Christmas!
