After an hour and a half rain delay, red flag, and GWC, the Coke Zero 400 stretched out until the short hours of early Sunday morning. With the rear spoilers and new larger sized restrictor plates, it looks like NASCAR has hit on a winning formula. Plenty of passing, bumping, slipping, and sliding made for a competitive race over the holiday weekend.
CHECKERED FLAG
Kevin Harvick increased his points lead by leading the most laps and winning the 400 at Daytona early Sunday morning. His car was one of the strongest out there, and he drove a very smart race. While his two RCR teammates were also in the top three, late; they couldn't close it out like Harvick.
GREEN FLAGS
Kasey Kahne never led a lap, but was second when the final flag flew. The rest of my green flags go to a bunch of drivers who were so far back they missed the 18 car 'big one' and had a decent finish. Reed Sorenson (8), Mike Bliss (9), Scott Speed (10), Robby Gordon (12), Steve Park (13), Kevin Conway (14), and Bobby Labonte (16).
YELLOW FLAGS
After whining about drivers racing too hard on late restarts, Mr Jeff Burton does it again! Driving over his head last week in New Hampshire, he only took one car out late. This week in Daytona, it was 18 innocent bystanders that were totaled as Burton body slammed Kurt Busch, and continued blissfully on to a 5th place finish.
RED FLAG
Kyle Busch playing the blame game. It certainly appeared as if Busch turned right, on a straightaway, and hit Juan Montoya's car while turning his own whip head on into the wall. While leading the race! At first, I was ready to blame Kyle for misjudging another car's closing rate... while leading, for the second year in a row at Daytona. And, that may well still be the case.
Some things to ponder about the incident. As Busch said, why would he turn into a faster car, on a straightaway, while leading, when he was going to pit for tires in two laps? Could the air from one car suck another car around when the first car is very close beside the first car, and does lack of tire grip on the first car have any effect on this scenario? If anyone does buy Kyle's explanation, how do cars 'side draft' at the plate tracks, then?
BLACK FLAG
The talk of the NNS race being rigged by NASCAR just because Dale Earnhardt Jr won, while driving a Wrangler replica of his father's famous #3 Chevy. It was certainly a souvenir sales windfall, no doubt. Probably the only reason Theresa E. signed off on it. But, if the NASCAR execs aren't smart enough to rig some Cup races for Jr to win, why would they manipulate a NNS race for him?
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Gene, good View as usual. I think JPM was trying to use the side draft to try to slingshot past Kyle, but the cars were too close, contact was made, and Kyle's day was shot. As far as Dale Jr winning the NNS race, that #3 was stout. He was at or near the front for the whole race. I believe Burton got loose and made contact with Kurt Busch and all hell broke loose from there.
ReplyDeletenot having seen the Cup race I won't comment about it (yet anyway, will tape the replay this week), I did catch the NW one and I agree with jon; the #3 was great. Maybe the Dodges had a touch more horses but Jr could go anywhere he wanted to from what I could tell.
ReplyDeleteHey Gene!
ReplyDeleteI guess I saw Kyle's wreck differently... Here's what I asked Jon on his "Good, Bad and Ugly" blog:
What'd you think of JPM's swerve to the right on new tires as Kyle Busch attempted to run past him Saturday night? Do these cars generate a side draft strong enough to literally jerk a 3,400 lb. car across a full lane of traffic? What do ya figure, they were travelling around 190 MPH?
I've got the race on tape and have replaed that wreck several times. Kyle's 18 appears to drift up, but there was a good car width between the 42 and 18. It sure looked to me like the 42 turned into the 18 as it went by. Great timing too since the 42 ran on through leaving Kyle in the wall...
Just my vision of it.
As far as Jr.'s race being rigged, I've got to laugh out loud at the stupidity of that kind of vindictive talk.
Thanks Gene!
Thought I already posted a comment, guess I'll try again...
ReplyDeleteGene, I commented on Jon's "Good, Bad and Ugly" blog earlier the following:
What'd you think of JPM's swerve to the right on new tires as Kyle Busch attempted to run past him Saturday night? Do these cars generate a side draft strong enough to literally jerk a 3,400 lb. car across a full lane of traffic? What do ya figure, they were traveling around 190 MPH?
I recorded the race and have looked at that wreck several times. Kyle's 18 drifted up but there was a good car width between the 42 and 18. The 42 clearly turned into the 18 as it went by. It was great timing too since the 42 continued on while the 18 smacked the wall.
As far as the NW race is concerned, I have to laugh out loud at the stupidity of people that thought the race was rigged.
Hope these comments stay up!
Thanks Gene!
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ReplyDeleteJon.... it sure looked like Burton got WAY loose and slammed into Kurt's side. I still don't know what to believe in Kyle's wreck, him or my lying eyes. lol
ReplyDeleteTez.... At least you won't have to sir through six hours to see the race on replay.
ReplyDeleteThe NNS Dodges were looking very racy. Keselowski would have been hard to beat until that last caution flew.
test
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ReplyDeleteSorry about the extra posts Gene. This thing's gone haywire!
ReplyDeleteWell the cars with the new rear spoiler and the larger restrctor plates certainly seem to present more issues although subtile. Perhaps NASCAR should have done some more research before allowing this set up on the super speedways. The cars did seem to be a little bit loose.
ReplyDeleteIn traffic that is.
ReplyDeleteYea that was an interesting 'splanation by Kyle about the side draft pulling him into Montoya. I'd imagine cars can get sucked over but to me it looked like he was driving on a perfect angle not being sucked around by the draft. But what do I know, I only drive 80 mph....
ReplyDeleteKurt deserves some props for that effort - he got wrecked over and over and just kept coming. And what was up with Carl wrecking Kurt at the start finish?? Add another rivalry to watch.
Dwindy... I'll give Kyle the doubt of my benefit on this one. I'll have to wait and hear another driver collaborate his story on his version.
ReplyDeletePhoto... did NASCAR screw up and actually get something right? lol
Kris.... I couldn't believe that KB was still up front after that slam from Burton.