RTJ out at SSI!

[Drop Shock]

If I was betting man I’d say he might struggle at the get go, someone told me he wasn’t much involved in the car setup or anything really outside of driving. That could make for a long 3 week stretch if they don’t have a solid crew for him. But he also looked really good in the feature on Monday night, so time will tell

[blncfn57]

I'm sure Ricky knows how to make a car fast. He may not have had to do the physical work at SSI, but I'd guess he at least kept up on what was being done.

[kidrock]

I remember a conversation on whether it was the car or the pilot a while back. I guess we'll see.

That's what I'm more curious about is how are they both going to do now that they're facing adversity through it all. New team vs back with old new team. The reason I say old new is Hudson's is back with SSI but, I don't know if it's the same crew members from his first stint with SSI

I was also curious as to how Logan Seavey was going to do in the A-main in Lincoln Monday night but, I seen he went backwards from his original starting position. I would be curious as to what happened.

[blncfn57]

I remember a conversation on whether it was the car or the pilot a while back. I guess we'll see.

I like both drivers, but I do not get a warm and fuzzy feeling about Hudson being up to par right out of the gate like I do about RTJ. Hudson hasn't had a ton of success in Longhorn cars. Hope I'm wrong though, he adds to the excitement when he's running good.

[kidrock]

I'm sure Ricky knows how to make a car fast. He may not have had to do the physical work at SSI, but I'd guess he at least kept up on what was being done.

You're right, He's been around the sport long enough to know what's going on and what the crew did to the set the car up.

[jog49]

You'll find out the answers beginning tonight and running through the weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway.

[Mod Runner]

If RTJ was asked to be a teamate with Hudson , I could see why RTJ would not want to share info with Hudson. Last year in a preliminary race for the Gofher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway RTJ showed his displeasure at how Hudson raced. I can see why the two of them would not make a good team. I mean , how does one race with a rival ?

[cutman]

If RTJ was asked to be a teamate with Hudson , I could see why RTJ would not want to share info with Hudson. Last year in a preliminary race for the Gofher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway RTJ showed his displeasure at how Hudson raced. I can see why the two of them would not make a good team. I mean , how does one race with a rival ?

Has RTJ ever watched himself drive??

[Pennsboro32]

No matter what happens this weekend, one thing is for sure. People will overreact.

[zach51]

One thing that perks my interest on these types of deals that I never see anyone bring up (and not that it's never happened before), but when Hudson left (or got fired whichever) Rocket, it was very near the beginning of the season and one of my first thoughts was "I bet they had a shoot load of new merchandise printed up and ready to sell, probably with much of it having "2023 Lucas Champ" on it. I'm guessing a lot of that stuff with Hud's likeness went to the bargain bin. Some fans may not care, but I wouldn't pay $30 for an obsolete shirt, barely willing to pay $30 for a current one. Maybe they let Hud take some of it, not really sure how that was set up with Rocket. Most of the time drivers handle their own merch but Rocket Enterprises isn't normal. Also not sure how much new 71 merch Hud was able to get made with his "own" team this year, but I at least know that they released to pre-order a new Lionel die-cast that is $125. The paint on the sample barely dried before that deal died. And you know RTJ has a trailer full of merch with ties to the SSI team that he'll have to move, although he may get some sympathy sells over the next several weeks.

I don't really have a point, was just kind of thinking out loud on all of that. Thanks for listening lol.

[HoosierDirtFan]

Todd Burns (SSI) issues statement and opens up on change from RTJ to O’Neal

https://www.floracing.com/articles/12707246-ssi-owner-discusses-driver-change-from-rtj-to-hudson-oneal?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ISR_XiTKTbD0CmA2L5cMZYpLDnmr0q2tHB9tlobHpRh-AT-gvzZJ8zgU_aem_NH7bupkguFtV2ZaEKHLlZQ

[lurker]

A lot of words in that press release. I have my own opinion what those words actually said, and I’ll leave it at that.

Best wishes to all parties.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Everyone else does, you can have your opinion too. A few actually know, we aren't them.

[4wide]

Funny thing to me is RTJ joins koehler racing and it's gonna be 2 to 3 weeks before the wraps are done . Hudson and SSI have their wraps now. So how long has this been in the works.

[blncfn57]

Funny thing to me is RTJ joins koehler racing and it's gonna be 2 to 3 weeks before the wraps are done . Hudson and SSI have their wraps now. So how long has this been in the works.

It literally takes a wrap guy a couple hours if he has all the artwork. I'm guessing RTJ and crew have sponsor deals to button up in the midst of trying to race, etc. It won't take them long once they know what they want.