[Go Fast]

Congrats to a great kid from a great family on a great run at Salem! Keep it up.

[slide22]

Originally Posted by OpenwheelRob After reading these posts it makes me think, I see the term 'Jealousy' thrown around a lot. A thought came to my mind is it really jealousy or confusion? While I was growing up I played stick and ball sports and for the most part there were 'Tryouts' because they wanted the best TALENT they could get. So after years and years of competing it was drilled into my head and many others that if you are the best/most talented you will have a place. However, racing is sooo confusing because that is not the case at all... I remember when I had my first taste of it, I had raced a few times and each time had finished better than a certain female driver. Then I hear she signed a 'Development Deal' and I thought to myself, ***? How does that work? How can someone that hasn't even won a race get a deal like that? I wasn't 'Jealous' I was confused! I never felt I deserved the chance, I felt one of 10 other guys who kicked my butt deserved it...but they didn't get it. How can you be the best and get passed up? It's doesn't seem right? It's like an NFL team choosing some kid from High School in the draft over the Heisman Trophy winner, it's odd and most don't understand it. Bottom line at the upper levels it's not THE BEST driver's, it's the best drivers that can AFFORD it. Most people haven't learned that yet, and it is a tough pill to swallow because it goes against what we learn growing up. I don't mean to take anything away from Dakota as I've said before, good for him! As for you people coming on here trying to convince us that this deal was done on TALENT alone you can sell that somewhere else. As Jeff Hammond would say, That dog won't hunt.

This right here.

I hope Dakota does great, just another open wheel driver we can support in the upper levels of motorsports. What really frustrates me though is a situation similar to openwheelrob. Seeing people you've beaten consistently for years, or drivers that typically run in the back, getting the opprotunity to move to a higher level, even though they have won, or proven nothing. It makes no sense. And with the rising costs of sprint cars/midgets it is hard for an owner to justify hiring a driver that can't bring money to the team.

My dad once told me; There's some guy racing go-carts that can go out and kick Steve Kinser's ass, but will never have the opportunity because he can't afford it.

Simple facts of racing.

[dblnickel55]

Great job Dakoda!

Good Luck with your future events.

[OpenwheelRob]

Originally Posted by hoosierfan It is a funny joke but he did earn his major sponsorship in a nationwide competition did he not? Posted via Mobile Device

This bring's yet another thought, he did win a nationwide competition 'with an age limit' he was the best between the ages of 16 through 26 or something like that. Again, did THE BEST driver win? We will never know.

[Jerry Shaw]

Did money have something to do with this? Probably had a little to do with it. But, there are a ton of kids who show up with money and very few ever get one of these development deals. Let alone Penske. He's a self-made billionaire, worth like $3 billion. So, he's one of these people who sometimes sees the potential in things, before other people have and takes a chance on them. And if Craig is willing to reduce some of Roger's downside risk in this gamble, then it's a no lose situation. If Dakoda is a success, then the Captain ends up looking like a genius. If not, then no great loss. Bottom line, though, he wouldn't be taking the gamble if he didn't see some upside potential in the kid.

When I saw that Dakoda had this good finish and that Caleb had won his first USAC National event, the first thing I thought of was how much of an effect the influence of Kevin Besecker had to have had on all of this. At the time of his hiring, I remember having a lot of discussions with people and the general consensus was that this was a shrewd move on the part of the Armstrongs. I don't know too many people that like taking situations that have happened, breaking them down into pieces and explaining them, more than what Kevin does. Or someone who more understands the importance of a good mentor.

Only time will tell how this deal works out. Like Danny B and I were talking about on the hill @ Bloomington last weekend, racing is a microcosm of life. It's isn't always fair and it isn't always logical. If you spend all of your time being obsessed with this part of it, you'll miss a lot of the incidental, subtle good parts that happen.

Jerry

[bigpimpin35]

service manager, its big pimpin not pimpim. ur spelling skill is about as equal as ur knowledge of young talent in open wheel racing. cole has never won anything on pavement which is why dakoda is so successful. not only did he win the orlando race with all the hot shots watching, he did it with under budget equipment. most all the other cars had more money put into their engine alone than dakoda had in his entire car. i'd expect someone to be successful if they drive for keith kunz and a big fancy red bull sticker on their car. if they cant win with him, then they cant do **** in racing. not only is dakoda going big, but his cousin caleb just won jegs crown race in columbus last weekend, and his little brother dalton is also makin his way into the open wheel scene. so dont worry fellas there'll be plenty of talented armstrongs that u can talk **** about in the next few years. oh wait..whats this im hearing. dakoda finished 3rd behind parker at salem in the arca race? hmm. provin u jealous dumbasses wrong already. keep it up buddy, if they're talkin it means ur doin somethin.

[Pine]

Originally Posted by bigpimpin35 service manager, its big pimpin not pimpim. ur spelling skill is about as equal as ur knowledge of young talent in open wheel racing. cole has never won anything on pavement which is why dakoda is so successful. not only did he win the orlando race with all the hot shots watching, he did it with under budget equipment. most all the other cars had more money put into their engine alone than dakoda had in his entire car. i'd expect someone to be successful if they drive for keith kunz and a big fancy red bull sticker on their car. if they cant win with him, then they cant do **** in racing. not only is dakoda going big, but his cousin caleb just won jegs crown race in columbus last weekend, and his little brother dalton is also makin his way into the open wheel scene. so dont worry fellas there'll be plenty of talented armstrongs that u can talk **** about in the next few years. oh wait..whats this im hearing. dakoda finished 3rd behind parker at salem in the arca race? hmm. provin u jealous dumbasses wrong already. keep it up buddy, if they're talkin it means ur doin somethin.

ur...your
skill...skill's
ur....your
cole...Cole
dakota...Dakota
i'd...I'd
keith...Keith
kunz....Kunz
red...Red
bull....Bull
cant....can't
not...Not
caleb...Caleb
jegs...Jeg's
columbus...Columbus
dalton....Dalton
makin....making
so....So
dont.....don't
armstrongs.....Armstrong's
u....you
oh.....Oh
whats....what's
dakota....Dakota
parker....Parker
salem....Salem
provin....proving
u...you
dumbasses.....dumb asses
keep....Keep
talkin....talking
ur.....your
doin....doing
somethin...something

Maybe the other guy hit the wrong key.....

[EldoraMark]

Nice one Pine.


Anyway there is one person that has been overlooked for Dakoda being the successful
Racer/ polite Young man that he is and that would be Kevin Besecker. Not to take away from
Dakoda parents but Kevin is a very impressionable person. His guidance and mentorship
would help any young man. Kevin was and still is a champion as a former driver and team leader.
If you have not met Kevin please take time to do so. You will see what I mean the
very first time you meet. He gets it honest from His Dad and Grandfather.
And as most know that behind every man is a good women and I am Glad to see her back.

Good luck Dakoda

[rhk3]

I love Brad Kuhn and will never forget when his B-Day is.

Regards,

The New # 1 Brad Kuhn Fan

[midgetmaniac]

I do not want to upset to many people, but the #1 Brad Kuhn fan is some guy on here that goes by the name Speed 9.