For the second week in a row, the View From the Flagstand is delayed for twenty-four hours due to rain. This time though there is a lot of Smoke on the water, as Tony Stewart wins in Watkins Glen for his third victory of the year.
CHECKERED FLAGS.....Stewart gets the flag as he drove a smart race, and led the most laps on Monday. He extended his series points lead also. He and Jimmie Johnson look to be on a collision course as they both are peaking going into the Chase. Perhaps this will be the year when NASCAR's playoff format actually comes down to the two best teams squaring off and duking it out?
Marcos Ambrose also shares some checkers after a decisive win in the NW series on Saturday and a strong second place finish in the Cup race.
GREEN FLAGS......RFR drivers Carl Edwards (3rd) and Greg Biffle (5th) are usually afterthoughts at a road course, but both dug deep to protect their spots in the Chase. Kyle Busch is not giving up his Chase hopes, as he led some laps and came home in 4th. Mad Max Papis had a nice 8th place run. In his first Cup start, Andy Lally finished on the lead lap and ended up 27th. Harder than it looks.
YELLOW FLAGS.....I don't know when it's not the rainy season in the western part of New York and Pennsylvania, but after two rainouts in two weeks should NASCAR look at rescheduling Watkins Glen and Pocono? These two places seem to have rain affect qualifying and/or racing every time. Or, is it always the rainy season up there?
RED FLAGS.....David Stremme held his breath and somehow qualified 5th. Come Monday, it'll be alright. No it won't Buffett, as Dave was in way over his head trying to run with the big guns. He attempted an ill thought maneuver and, as usually the case, ruined some other folks' day. Kasey Kahne came down to earth....hard. After his win at the last road course, he must have been feeling particularly bulletproof as he caused the big one, and we weren't even at a plate track!
BLACK FLAG.....Robby Gordon! For the second week in a row I'll say what NASCAR is afraid to say.....Park it Gordon! Last week you let the very unspectacular David Stremme get the best of you and your temper. On Saturday, in the NW race, you barely got the better of an inexperienced 18 year old Joey Logano. WTH, Robby?!
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These Monday starts are killers - make sure you have an umbrella up there on the flagstand Gene.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Mad Max run so well and rootin for the Aussie was fun. But Kasey, David and Robby -- well not so much fun.
Max was as good as I hoped. Nice to see a couple road course ringers do well for a change. Biffle has been pretty strong at the Glen, so didn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteNY & PA... Maybe if NASCAR would drop the 2nd Pocono race, move Dover's May race to the spot, and move The Glen to the vacated Dover May date. Now this is where my plan is brilliant; give the vacated Glen date to Rockingham. Ta dah!!! Problem solved! LOL
Put Pocono and Watkins Glen right after the Firecracker 400. Still going to be T-Storms, but not the rainy season.
ReplyDeleteMan, suddenly I have an urge for a Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Kris....Did you see the throw the flagman made on Saturday? He sailed the checkered flag down right into Marcos' window.
ReplyDeleteCR...It wouldn't hurt my feelings if Dover lost a date too. Add Iowa and Methtucky.
ReplyDeleteMose....That reminds me....A lot of rain delayed quals and racing lately for the Firecracker. Move it to Labor Day and the Chase?
ReplyDeleteCheeseburger? One of the few things Barry O and I can agree on...Five Guys in DC! Best fries ever.
NASCAR should really look hard at their schedule, especially those in the northeast during summer. But then again, no matter where you go, you have the chance of rain at any track during the summer time.
ReplyDeleteIt is looking like this championship might very well come down to Stewart and Johnson.
I am hoping that Tony maintains and doesn't choke like Kyle did last year....
ReplyDeleteI feel like singing the Little Engine That Could now.
Tsfan....I think they're trying to stay a little cooler by racing up North during the dog days. You're right wouldn't make much difference where they went. Except maybe Cali and Ariz, and it would be hot there too.
ReplyDeleteLori....Yes....I'll also be hoping that Tony doesn't have three mechanical failures in the first three races of the Chase that kill his chances like Kyle's were last year.
ReplyDeleteMethtucky - lol.
ReplyDeleteSmoke on the Water - Was that Deep Purple's one hit wonder? You need some tunes up in here.
I just noticed Haddock in the Paddock & Batteries Included. Have to check it out.
Great rundown.
Considering the big ones at that same corner two years in a row, NASCAR should get the track to put in better barriers on that part of the track as well as take out the grass.. That crash looked very deadly save the COT safety options.
ReplyDeleteGreat view from the flag stand. It comes down to tracks with lights if they want to keep it on Sundays with hope to still get a race in after a shower. Pocono & The Glen are too big/long for lights. I still think one road course should be in the chase, so move Watkins Glen to a chase date and replace a track with lights?
ReplyDeleteCheers2You
Bev....sorry no tunes. for some reason Blood's playlist is messing up my computer.
ReplyDeletePhoto....yeah they've been having some bad ones there. even Leffler's wreck in NW practice was bad.
ReplyDeleteF-2...Too big for lights? How about headlights on the cars at Watkins Glen, like the Rolex road racers? LOL
ReplyDeleteNice write-up as always. First time I have read View From the Flagstand...
ReplyDeleteNASCAR has a good bit of rescheduling necessary. Why don't they just flip flop Watkins Glen and Kansas. Then, we'll have a road course in the Chase...
Gonger....That is a brilliant idea! Maybe they could race at WG when the leaves are changing colors up there. It would be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGene, great write as usual. Robby Gordon needs that silly-@$$ Joker-like grin to be b-slapped off his face.
ReplyDeleteGonger, I'd say move the Glen to Sonoma's date, then flip-flop Sonoma and Kansas so Sonoma gets a Chase date. If you run WG in mid-late October, you risk the chance of snow. If you run Sonoma in mid-October, it's in NoCal's dry season and there is very little likelihood of a rainout.
Jon....agreed about Robby. He seems like the type who finds nothing wrong with continualy beating his head against the wall.
ReplyDelete